Cranberry Shortbread Bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 and 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• 12 oz fresh cranberries (3 cups)

Preparation

1. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer until smooth. Add sugars and beat again until light and fluffy.
4. Add vanilla and salt and mix until combined.
5. Add flour 1 cup at a time, beating after each addition until just incorporated. You may have to switch to hand stirring as dough will become rather thick. Do not overmix.
6. Press 2/3 of the dough into bottom of prepared pan and about 1 inch up the sides. Top evenly with cranberries.
7. Add pecans to remaining dough in bowl and stir to combine. Drop dough in chunks over cranberries so that the berries are mostly covered.
8. Chill bars for about 20 minutes while you preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake until edges are golden brown, 42-45 minutes.
9. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!