#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe: Cranberry Almond Bars

December 17, 2009 · Narrative

Cranberry Almond Bars

“Cate, these are, without a doubt, my favorite thing that you have ever made.”

The call came early one morning, about 30 minutes after I gave a friend a few of these Cranberry Almond Bars. I knew she had a soft spot for cranberries, and kept meaning to make her a loaf of Cranberry Bread. When I spied these Cranberry Almond Bars, I thought these would do in the meantime. And perfect to use up some cranberries I had leftover from Thanksgiving’s Cranberry Conserve. I have given her a baked good or otherwise food item from my kitchen roughly two or three times a month for the past two years. This is the second recipe she has asked me for. Although she has liked everything, she’s always scolding me for making her wipe the chocolate off her mouth as she pulls in the gym’s parking lot. Something about defeating the purpose of exercise.  She doesn’t want the temptation. But these? These Cranberry Almond Bars tempted her.

I whipped them up one night while Nick was clearing the dinner table. They are crazy simple to make and, given the praise they have garnered so far, I don’t think you can NOT make them. They were disappearing so quickly, I had to hide two pieces just so I could take a picture.

Having holiday company over? Guests coming for dinner? Need a treat for your neighbors? Bake up these babies and you (and your recipient) will not be disappointed. I can almost guarantee it.

Cranberry Almond Bars
Recipe courtesy of Bake at 350

3/4 cups unsalted butter
1/3 cup slivered almonds, divided (I skipped the almonds, but only because I thought I had them on hand, and didn’t)
1-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon coarse salt
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 whole eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups cranberries, fresh

Melt the butter and set aside (or put in the fridge) to cool. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the almonds for the top of the batter and chop the remaining almonds. Set aside.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8x 8 pan. Whisk together the flour and salt; set aside.

Beat the sugar and eggs for 3 minutes. Add the cooled melted butter and almond extract; beat until combined.  Add the flour to the sugar/butter mixture and mix on low until combined. Stir in the cranberries and chopped almonds.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Spread evenly with an offset spatula (if you have one).  Sprinkle with the reserved almonds.

Bake for about 50 minutes (mine needed an extra 10 minutes or so), or until a toothpick comes out with crumbs, not wet. (Cover with foil during the last 5 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning, if necessary.) Cool in the pan on a cooling rack. Makes 12 bars.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Bake at 350 blog, Cranberry Almond Bars

Comments

  1. Claire says

    December 17, 2009 at 9:41 pm

    mmmmmm…this looks so good. And almost healthy with the cranberries and almonds! :-)

    Reply
  2. Ciaochowlinda says

    December 17, 2009 at 9:50 pm

    I’ve got all the ingredients ready to go – can’t wait for them to come out of the oven to enjoy.

    Reply
  3. so Spiffy says

    December 17, 2009 at 10:03 pm

    This looks delish…. almond and cranberry two of my favorite.. this recipe will never disappoint. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. Merry says

    December 17, 2009 at 10:14 pm

    I KNEW I should have bought that bag of cranberries I had in my hand at the store today but NOOOOO I had to put them back. Drat! I *heart* anything cranberry so these will be on the short list to be made pronto. Thanks for posting!

    Reply
  5. patsy says

    December 17, 2009 at 10:31 pm

    Oh, those are looking too good to pass up!

    Reply
  6. stacie says

    December 18, 2009 at 12:26 am

    Those look sooooo good!

    Reply
  7. Joanne says

    December 18, 2009 at 7:13 am

    These look incredibly delicious! I would be gobbling up the whole tray in the gym parking lot…definitely would not be able to stop at one! I really like htat they use fresh instead of dried cranberries.

    Reply
  8. bridget {bake at 350} says

    December 18, 2009 at 10:03 am

    Oh, I’m so glad you liked them! :) You are making me want to make them again!

    Thank you so much for the links! Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  9. Ramona says

    December 18, 2009 at 10:12 am

    Looks like a great recipe. Your friend is lucky to have you sharing 2 or 3 times a month. Very sweet of you.

    Reply
  10. Debbie says

    December 18, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    I’d love to give these a try…different from the usual cranberry bread, and I love cranberries!!!!

    Reply
  11. Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says

    December 18, 2009 at 6:11 pm

    Cranberry and almonds sound so good together in these scrumptious bars, yum!

    Reply
  12. Shannon says

    December 18, 2009 at 11:20 pm

    i’ve seen alot of awesome things come out of your kitchen, but if these are the best… i should find my way into my kitchen :)

    Reply
  13. Amanda says

    December 20, 2009 at 2:13 pm

    Wow, these look delicious! I think I may have to make them for x-mas eve dinner. Happy holidays!

    Reply
  14. Andrea says

    July 11, 2012 at 9:06 am

    This look good! Can I use frozen or dried if I don’t have fresh cranberries?

    Reply
  15. Tee says

    March 16, 2013 at 2:32 pm

    My bars turned out really delicious. I also modified it a tad. I addeda 1 cup of wheat flour and the rest a mix of almond and coconut flour. It gave the bar some more bar like firmness. I was a bit concerned the coconut flour would make it to moist but it turns out the other flours balanced it out.

    Reply
  16. Mae says

    December 18, 2013 at 3:21 pm

    Thank you for sharing this recipe! I did search for cranberry recipes to use up my leftover cranberries, and was having a hard time finding one that didn’t require me to go shopping! They’re in the oven right now :)

    Reply
  17. Rosie says

    January 31, 2019 at 5:41 am

    I have been using this recipe for some months now and it is my favourite sweet treat. They are so very delicious, so thank you very much cate, just got more in the oven now. Lucky me for finding this recipe, although cranberries here in the UK are only out for a short time Dec/Jan, I freeze some.
    I may try freezing a bar to see if it works.

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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