Not-Just-For-Thanksgiving Cranberry Shortbread Cake (TWD)
I’ve been looking forward to making this week’s Tuesdays With Dorie recipe for Not-Just-For-Thanksgiving Cranberry Shortbread Cake for a couple of reasons:
- Cranberries! I’m a cranberry sauce junkie (don’t tell anyone, but I love the jellied cranberry sauce that comes in a can), and I love baking with those tart, ruby red berries.
- Shortbread Cake? The recipe had me a little puzzled – it is categorized as a cake, but the instructions read like a bar cookie.
The recipe is pretty straightfoward - a quick homemade orange-scented cranberry jam is sandwiched between two layers of shortbread dough. This would not be your usual crunchy sandy shortbread, as leavener is added to the dough.
Instead of using a 9″ springform pan, I insteaded opted to use an 8″x8″ square pan lined with parchment paper. Once baked and cooled, it was ready to be served.
So, is it a cake…or is it a cookie? For me, it definitely reminded me a bar cookie. The shortbread portion is wonderfully buttery without being overly greasy, and is wonderfully soft and chewy. The cranberry middle was so yummy – tart, but not too much, and it helped to balance the richness of the shortbread. Cake, cookie – it doesn’t matter to me. This dessert was fantastic and is definitely repeatable! I’m looking forward to trying this with different fillings, and perhaps adding some spice to the shortbread dough.
Thank you Jessica of A Singleton in the Kitchen for a great selection this week! Please visit Jessica’s blog for the recipe.
14 Responses to Not-Just-For-Thanksgiving Cranberry Shortbread Cake (TWD)
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Cake or bar this could not look more delicious! What a unique way to enjoy cranberries this holiday season. (And your sauce from the can secret is safe with me)
I love your bars! And they are so perfectly square. I would never have thought to make this into bars but it is a great idea. We loved this cake. Definitely one to make for the holidays.
I heart shortbread.
Yours looks lovely.
I too, mentioned canned cranberry sauce.
This looks fantastic as squares! I am not a cranberry lover, but your post has just about convinced me to give them another try. I used raspberries this time around, but can see lots of possibilities with this recipe.
I have to say, I think I’m in the cookie camp. No matter what it is, yours look absolutely delicious, and your pictures are just stunning! Thanks for baking along with me this week!
I may have to try these as a bar cookie at some point. Yours look fantastic!
I just love your little squares! Great idea to use an 8″x8″.
I called it breakfast! So yummy. I love your squares–so much easier to share. Have a great day.
great idea! the squares look so festive and easier to serve than slices of cake.
as soon as i cut into my round “cake” i knew they’d make nice bars. they look wonderful!
I agree cake, bars, who cares so long as we get to gobble it down!
I’ll be giving this a try soon!
~ingrid
Yep…I totally thought it was more of a bar cookie. I went the same way as you. Looks great!
Oh. Yeah. This one lends itself to lots and lots of different fillings in the very near future. Chocolate?? Apples?? All delicious.
Love that you made squares.
your look so great. I’m also excited to try different fillings. i loved this cake/cookie bar.