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

• When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
• In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer until smooth. Add sugars and beat again until light and fluffy.
• Add vanilla and salt and mix until combined.
• 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.
• Press 2/3 of the dough into bottom of prepared pan and about 1 inch up the sides. Top evenly with cranberries.
• Add pecans to remaining dough in bowl and stir to combine. Drop dough in chunks over cranberries so that the berries are mostly covered.
• Chill bars for about 20 minutes while you preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake until edges are golden brown, 42-45 minutes.
• Let cool 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!