Cranberry Snowdrift Bars

By: A Bakers Field Guide to Christmas Cookies, by Dede Wilson

When it's snowing outside there is no better way to warm up the house and the heart than with baking great holiday recipes for the family. Cranberry Snowdrift Bars are great for that little sweet-tooth in the family and for the holiday season.

Ingredients

Crust:
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
pinch salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling and Topping:
1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce, not jellied
2 large eggs
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray.
Whisk flour and salt together in a small bowl.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter until creamy, about 3 minutes.
Add sugar gradually, beating on high speed until light and fluffy. This may take as long as 8 minutes. Do not rush; mixture should be almost white in color. Beat in vanilla.
Add about one-third of flour and mix on low speed. Gradually add remaining flour, mixing just until blended.
Pat crust in an even layer in baking pan. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or overnight. Wash and dry beaters of mixer.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Bake crust until completely dry to touch and a pale golden brown, about 40 minutes. The edges will be a bit darker. Place pan on rack to cool 5 minutes, then spread cranberry sauce evenly over crust using a small offset spatula or back of a spoon.
To make topping, whip egg whites until foamy in a medium clean, grease- free bowl with mixer on high speed.
Add cream of tartar and whip until soft peaks form.
Add sugar gradually, whipping until stiff but not dry peaks form. Beat in vanilla. Spread meringue evenly over cranberry layer. Use back of a teaspoon to make peaks and swirls in meringue.
Bake until meringue is a light golden brown, about 25 minutes. Place pan on rack to cool. Cut into 20 bars (4 x 5).

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sylviahix

Dec 19, 2011

Did I miss something? How much flour in this recipe? I don't see the amount. The amount of butter as well.

editorKS

Dec 20, 2011

Hi, sylviahix. Thanks for bringing that to our attention! The recipe has now been updated with a complete list of ingredients. We apologize for any inconvenience. --Editors of RecipeLion