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Home » Cranberry Shortbread Bars with Walnuts {GF, Vegan}

Cranberry Shortbread Bars with Walnuts {GF, Vegan}

Last Updated on December 14, 2017 By Vicky 91 Comments

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7 ingredient 30 minute Cranberry Shortbread Bars are topped with walnuts and date caramel for the ultimate healthier guilt free dessert. Vegan, Gluten Free and Refined Sugar Free.

Thank you to Nuts.com for sponsoring this post and donating to my local food pantry this holiday season.

7 ingredient 30 minute Cranberry Shortbread Bars are topped with walnuts and date caramel for the ultimate healthier guilt free dessert. Vegan, Gluten Free and Refined Sugar Free.

cranberry shortbread bars

Everywhere I look everyone seems to be knee deep in holiday cookie baking. Everyone is posting about cookies, or wanting to eat cookies, or wishing somebody baked them cookies. Now, as a non cookie loving person, I’m currently feeling like a bit of an outcast.

Personally, I don’t have anything against cookies – I just never grew up eating them, my mom never baked them, and I only learned about the classic chocolate chip cookie from staying at friends’ houses.

But, to go with the trend, to get into that holiday baking spirit, I had to at least share some sort of baked goods, right? Last week it was my coffee pecan pie bars, and this week it’s cranberry shortbread bars.

While I feel perfectly comfortable making all sorts of savory dishes, when it comes to sweets and baking, I have slightly less experience. This is going to change. I’m starting to experiment more with various flours, allowing me to make all sorts of different desserts that will be gluten-free, vegan and refined sugar free as well.

If I’m going to be baking, it’s only for the healthier desserts.

And that brings us to coconut flour. Have you cooked with coconut flour before? Coconut flour is a great grain free alternative to regular flour and is made from dried coconut meat which has then been ground. It is high in fiber and low in carbs. A win win if you ask me.

Coconut flour was to be the star ingredients of the crust for these cranberry shortbread bars. As for the other ingredients, I used:

cranberry shortbread bars ingredients

  • maple syrup
  • coconut oil
  • dried cranberries
  • walnuts
  • dates
  • lemon

One thing you need to know when baking with coconut flour is that it is super absorbent, meaning you don’t need much of it. As a general rule of thumb you’ll only need 1/4 to 1/3 cup coconut flour to replace 1 cup of regular flour in a recipe.

cranberry shortbread bars ingredients from nuts.com

For all my specialty flours, nuts, and dried fruit I go to Nuts.com, a family-owned company selling with high quality nuts, dried fruit, snacks, and pantry essentials. They carry over 3,000 products including artisan and hard-to-find products as well as hundreds of certified gluten-free and organic items. And this holiday season they have been generous enough to donate hundreds of dollars worth of staples to my local food pantry as well as host a giveaway right here on this blog!

To make the crust for these cranberry shortbread bars you just need to beat the maple syrup and coconut oil until smooth and creamy, before adding in the coconut flour. Mix by hand and pat down into a baking dish or pie pan (if you’re me and do not own any rectangular baking dishes) and bake for 10 minutes.

cranberry shortbread bars before being cut drizzled with date caramel

I’m telling you, this dessert comes together in no time! For the topping make the date caramel, by literally just blending dates in a high speed blender (see pictures in my caramel cheesecake post). For the star of these cranberry shortbread bars you’ll want to mix crushed walnuts with chopped cranberries, lemon zest and lemon juice.

cranberry shortbread bars with date caramel

Once the crust is baked, let it cool, add a thin layer of date caramel, sprinkle with the cranberry walnut mix and thin drizzle more date caramel on top.

That’s all you need for these delicious cranberry shortbread bars with crushed walnuts. Cut into bars and take a big bite.

taking a bite out of cranberry shortbread bars

I personally loved how delicate the coconut flour shortbread crust came out. With only three key ingredients the crust could not be easier to make. Walnuts and cranberries make a great combination – especially when mixed with lemon zest this made for the perfect topping. And then a drizzle of date caramel really tops things off!

And now I’m happy to share a GIVEAWAY! Nuts.com is giving away $100 of product on their site. Be sure to enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

4.71 from 17 votes
cranberry shortbread bars
Print
Cranberry Shortbread Bars with Walnuts {GF, Vegan}
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 

7 ingredient 30 minute Cranberry Shortbread Bars are topped with walnuts and date caramel for the ultimate healthier guilt free dessert. Vegan, Gluten Free and Refined Sugar Free.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: gluten free, Healthy, Vegan
Servings: 8
Calories: 273 kcal
Author: Vicky
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup coconut flour
  • 1 cup walnuts crushed
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries chopped
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 12 whole dates pitted
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 


  2. In a bowl combine maple syrup and coconut oil. Beat until smooth and creamy. Add coconut flour and mix.  

  3. Pat the shortbread crust into a rectangular baking dish or pie pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

  4. In a bowl combine walnuts, cranberries and lemon zest and juice. 

  5. To make the date caramel - place dates in a high powered blender and process until smooth. Add a bit of water or coconut milk to thin it out a bit and help it blend, as needed. 

  6. Allow the shortbread crust to cool. Remove from baking dish. Top with thin layer of date caramel. Top date caramel with the cranberry walnut mix. 

  7. Drizzle date caramel on top. 

Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Shortbread Bars with Walnuts {GF, Vegan}
Amount Per Serving
Calories 273 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Sodium 33mg1%
Potassium 96mg3%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin C 2.6mg3%
Calcium 25mg3%
Iron 0.8mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Comments

  1. Casey the College Celiac says

    December 13, 2017 at 11:34 pm

    I LOVE Nuts.com – and sugar cookies!

    Reply
  2. Alexandra Robertson says

    December 14, 2017 at 8:20 am

    My favorite holiday dessert is peppermint chocolate pie.

    Reply
  3. Geena O'Banion says

    December 14, 2017 at 9:38 am

    I like the pies that always come around during this season; pumpkin, apple, blueberry, etc. It;s always so beautiful to see these desserts on the table.

    Reply
  4. Lane Phillips says

    December 14, 2017 at 10:12 am

    Anything with dark chocolate!

    Reply
  5. Sandy Klocinski says

    December 14, 2017 at 10:37 am

    One of my favorite desserts is the simplest: My grandfather always ate brick cheese and watermelon for dessert. The refreshing, sweet melon and the salty cheese is an enduring taste memory.

    Reply
  6. GENA BENNETT says

    December 14, 2017 at 11:21 am

    IT IS A TOSS UP BETWEEN THREE: GOLDEN BREAD PUDDING, MAGIC COOKIE BARS, AND RICOTTA CHEESECAKE 🙂

    Reply
  7. Kayley says

    December 14, 2017 at 11:37 am

    Sugar cookies are my favorite during the holidays, which is interesting because normally I prefer chocolate desserts.

    Reply
  8. Antoinette M says

    December 14, 2017 at 11:39 am

    I love pumpkin pie!

    Reply
  9. Mary Beth Elderton says

    December 14, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    5 stars
    My favorite hokiday dessert is my grandmother’s Sweet potato Pie

    Reply
  10. Kim O says

    December 14, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    4 stars
    pecan pie

    Reply
  11. HEATHER D says

    December 14, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    My fav holiday dessers are the pies. I love any pie.

    Reply
  12. danni lynn says

    December 14, 2017 at 2:32 pm

    my favorite is pumpkin pie

    Reply
  13. Breanne Smith says

    December 14, 2017 at 2:51 pm

    I would make christmas cookies!

    Reply
  14. Natalie says

    December 14, 2017 at 3:13 pm

    My favorite holiday dessert is white chocolate Christmas Crack with cereal, pretzels, M&Ms, peanuts and white chocolate.

    Reply
  15. Kayte CookWatts says

    December 14, 2017 at 3:26 pm

    Coconut oil fudge with pecans and cocoa nibs.

    Reply
  16. Pat says

    December 14, 2017 at 4:50 pm

    My favorite is Lebkuchen.

    Reply
  17. Debbie says

    December 14, 2017 at 6:42 pm

    Anything with chocolate!

    Reply
  18. Rajee Pandi says

    December 14, 2017 at 6:57 pm

    My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin pie

    Reply
  19. golden storm says

    December 14, 2017 at 7:28 pm

    i love traditional english christmas pudding

    Reply
  20. Donna L says

    December 14, 2017 at 8:34 pm

    My favorite is cherry cheesecake.

    Reply
  21. heather s says

    December 14, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream on top

    Reply
  22. shannon fowler says

    December 14, 2017 at 10:29 pm

    My favorite holiday dessert are my moms cinnamon streusel muffins she makes every christmas morning.

    Reply
  23. Valencia says

    December 14, 2017 at 10:32 pm

    My favorite holiday dessert is German Chocolate Cake.

    Reply
  24. shery says

    December 15, 2017 at 1:00 am

    fudge

    Reply
  25. Clem says

    December 15, 2017 at 6:42 am

    Snowball cookies

    Reply
  26. Sheila K. says

    December 15, 2017 at 7:07 am

    My favorite holiday dessert is pecan pie.

    Reply
  27. Cindy Peterson says

    December 15, 2017 at 8:33 am

    I adore my Dad’s divinity. He is not a cook but always made the best divinity.

    Reply
  28. Terri S. says

    December 15, 2017 at 10:45 am

    5 stars
    My favorite holiday dessert is Pffefferneuse cookies.

    Reply
  29. Jennifer Heintz says

    December 15, 2017 at 3:21 pm

    Cherry Pie is the dessert for me. So good.

    Reply
  30. Ali says

    December 15, 2017 at 5:57 pm

    My favorite holiday desert is pecan pie with whip cream.

    Reply
  31. Carly Smith says

    December 15, 2017 at 6:49 pm

    A delicious apple pie <3

    Reply
  32. Ashley says

    December 15, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    Cheesecake!

    Reply
  33. Margot S. says

    December 16, 2017 at 1:48 am

    my favorite holiday dessert is rice pudding with raspberry sauce

    Reply
  34. Christine Lee says

    December 16, 2017 at 4:58 pm

    My favorite holiday dessert is pecan pie… It’s sinful.

    Reply
  35. Annmarie W. says

    December 16, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    I love holiday cookies…especially peanut blossoms (the peanut butter cookies with a hershey kiss on top!)

    Reply
  36. Gina Freire says

    December 16, 2017 at 10:30 pm

    pumpkin pie is the one for me.

    Reply
  37. al says

    December 17, 2017 at 12:23 am

    Pumpkin ismy favorite.

    Reply
  38. Sheila K. says

    December 17, 2017 at 6:12 am

    I love pecan pie!

    Reply
  39. bn100 says

    December 17, 2017 at 10:32 am

    pumpkin pie

    Reply
  40. Heidi Schuster says

    December 17, 2017 at 11:35 am

    I love but clusters (peanuts & mini marshmallows in chocolate)…YUM!

    Reply
    • Heidi Schuster says

      December 17, 2017 at 11:36 am

      Nut clusters

      Reply
  41. Amanda lea says

    December 17, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    Pumpkin pie is my fav!!!!

    Reply
  42. Laura Lanza says

    December 17, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    My mom’s little nut roll cookies. They are so much better than the normal nut roll but it kills your back rolling out all the little balls. Of course I have to quadruple it because everyone loves them. Haven’t made them in years, I think it’s time to make some again. Miss you mom!

    Reply
  43. robin s. says

    December 17, 2017 at 5:06 pm

    Banana pudding is my favorite.

    Reply
  44. Kelly Freeman says

    December 17, 2017 at 6:17 pm

    4 stars
    pumpkin pie with whipped cream is my fave!

    Reply
  45. Nancy Bowers says

    December 17, 2017 at 8:23 pm

    My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin pie.

    Reply
  46. Marci says

    December 17, 2017 at 10:56 pm

    pumpkin pie

    Reply
  47. Lauren Peterson says

    December 17, 2017 at 10:58 pm

    I always loved my grandma’s peanut butter fudge…She made it so yummy!

    Reply
  48. tiffany dayton says

    December 17, 2017 at 11:14 pm

    5 stars
    We love Pumpkin Pie for Christmas and Thanksgiving.With Coolwhip.

    Reply
  49. Selene Montgomery says

    December 18, 2017 at 7:06 am

    Favorite holiday dessert are the Christmas cookies we only bake during the holidays.

    Reply
  50. Robert Torres says

    December 18, 2017 at 11:57 am

    My favorite holiday dessert is apple pie with plenty of whipped cream.

    Reply
  51. Beth Eaton says

    December 18, 2017 at 12:44 pm

    5 stars
    I absolutely LOVE that these are VEGANNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!

    Reply
  52. Kristi Price says

    December 18, 2017 at 2:58 pm

    5 stars
    Homemade coconut cream pie, yum!

    Reply
  53. Cynthia Stacey says

    December 18, 2017 at 3:08 pm

    4 stars
    I love old fashion magic bars

    Reply
  54. Lisa Andrews says

    December 18, 2017 at 3:57 pm

    I Love Cheesecake

    Reply
  55. jberry says

    December 18, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    Holidays sweets make me want Sticky Toffee Pudding.

    Reply
  56. Pam Flynn says

    December 18, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    5 stars
    I love Cherry Cheesecake. My mom always made it and it is my favorite.

    Reply
  57. Laurie Belcher says

    December 18, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    I love Pecan Pie around the holidays.

    Reply
  58. Christine Mayfield says

    December 18, 2017 at 7:55 pm

    My family loves sugar cookies and gingerbread houses

    Reply
  59. Inge says

    December 18, 2017 at 8:31 pm

    Fave holiday dessert: strawberry cheesecake

    Reply
  60. Erin Walsh says

    December 18, 2017 at 10:43 pm

    5 stars
    I love pumpkin pie.

    Reply
  61. jennifer sparks says

    December 19, 2017 at 11:04 am

    5 stars
    Pecans, Pecan pie, pralines, and walnut fudge. I didn’t used to care for nuts in my youth but I love them and their health benefits now!! oh and brownies with walnuts!!

    Reply
  62. Cynthia D says

    December 19, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    Looks delicious! Cranberry & Walnuts are two of my favorites!

    Reply
  63. Sheryl Holden says

    December 19, 2017 at 11:40 pm

    Russian Tea Cakes

    Reply
  64. Erika JM says

    December 20, 2017 at 12:38 am

    4 stars
    My all time fave holiday desert is peppermint bark. So yummy.

    Reply
  65. Meg Tucker says

    December 20, 2017 at 10:08 am

    5 stars
    My favorite holiday dessert is Pecan Pie!

    Reply
  66. Hazell Perez says

    December 20, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    My favorite holiday dessert is White Christmas Peppermint Layer Cake that I love to bake with my kids. Happy holidays!

    Reply
  67. Rosie says

    December 20, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    5 stars
    My favorite holiday dessert is homemade cheesecake!

    Reply
  68. James Burk says

    December 20, 2017 at 4:10 pm

    My favorite holiday treats are sugar cookies

    Reply
  69. melanie huttner says

    December 20, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    I love carrot cake!

    Reply
  70. Marissa Womack says

    December 20, 2017 at 9:08 pm

    My favorite Holiday Dessert is Eggnog Cookies!

    Reply
  71. Henry says

    December 20, 2017 at 10:02 pm

    Pie, pecan or apple! Yum

    Reply
  72. Clark says

    December 20, 2017 at 10:21 pm

    My wife is Syrian and we have Bacalava. Her grandmother used to make it but we buy it premade these days.

    Reply
  73. Susan Smith says

    December 20, 2017 at 10:54 pm

    My favorites are pecan and pumpkin pie

    Reply
  74. Missy says

    December 21, 2017 at 9:48 am

    My favorite holiday dessert is pineapple cake.

    Reply
  75. sheila ressel says

    December 21, 2017 at 11:22 am

    5 stars
    My sister makes a nut pound cake that is out of this world! It’s my favorite.

    Reply
  76. Angelica says

    December 21, 2017 at 12:41 pm

    My favorite holiday desert is pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Unless peppermint hot cocoa counts, that’s my fuel all December!

    Reply
  77. Sarah Cool says

    December 21, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    I love pumpkin pie

    Reply
  78. Susan Smith says

    December 21, 2017 at 4:47 pm

    My favorite holiday desert is pecan pie.

    Reply
  79. Dee Johnson says

    December 21, 2017 at 10:40 pm

    Pecan Pie is my favorite holiday dessert.

    Reply
  80. Fawn Bowden says

    December 21, 2017 at 11:38 pm

    Too many, but toffee is one of my favorites!

    Reply
  81. Diana Penn says

    December 22, 2017 at 7:33 am

    All Cookies

    Reply
  82. Laura Hast says

    December 22, 2017 at 8:00 am

    Sweetpotatoe cupcakes with buttercream/cream cheese frosting and pralines on top omg sooooooo yuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmyyyyyyyyy⛄❄❄⛄

    Reply
  83. carl says

    December 22, 2017 at 8:50 am

    4 stars
    cheesecake

    Reply
  84. Mary Gardner says

    December 22, 2017 at 10:44 am

    5 stars
    My favorite holiday dessert is fresh coconut cake.

    Reply
  85. Kim Henrichs says

    December 22, 2017 at 11:18 am

    I absolutely love chocolate crinkle cookies!!

    Reply
  86. Christina A. says

    December 22, 2017 at 11:37 am

    Shortbread cookies are my absolute favorite!

    Reply
  87. Jessica W. says

    December 22, 2017 at 12:21 pm

    My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin pie!

    Reply
  88. Leah Shumack says

    December 22, 2017 at 1:38 pm

    It’s all about the cookies right now!! Peanut Butter Blossoms are my favorite.

    Reply
  89. Kenia says

    December 22, 2017 at 10:39 pm

    Pecan pie is my favorite holiday pie.

    Reply
  90. Nicole Lancaster says

    December 23, 2017 at 1:03 pm

    My favorite holiday dessert is Black Forest Cake.

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Vicky!

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About Avocado Pesto

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