# Cranberry Orange Cookie Bars: A Delicious Vegan and Gluten-Free Delight
Looking for a cookie’s flavor and texture combined with the simplicity of a bar? Presenting: cranberry orange cookie bars! These chewy, buttery bars are filled with vibrant orange essence and tangy cranberries. Your favorite new treat is just **1 bowl** and **8 ingredients** away! And yes, they’re **vegan** and **gluten-free**! Let’s get started!
## Recipe Overview
If you’ve prepared our [Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars](https://minimalistbaker.com/gluten-free-chocolate-chip-cookie-bars-vegan/), you’re already most of the way to mastering this autumn-inspired variation! First, we create a “flax egg,” but instead of using water with the flaxseed meal, we mix it with orange juice for the liquid. Combined with an ample amount of orange zest, this guarantees the **lively orange essence**!
For the other wet ingredients, we have classic cookie staples: brown sugar, vanilla extract, and melted (vegan) butter. Everything is mixed together by whisking in **1 bowl**!
Next, we incorporate our favorite [gluten-free flour blend](https://minimalistbaker.com/best-gluten-free-flour-blend/), which surpasses any commercial blend we’ve encountered. If making your own isn’t appealing, a store-bought blend with similar components will do, just adjust the amount of flour as needed for differing absorbency levels.
The last ingredients include baking powder for a hint of fluffiness, salt for added flavor, and dried cranberries for delightful tart-sweet bursts.
Press the dough into a parchment-lined baking pan, bake until golden, and it’s (almost) cookie bar time!
After baking, let the bars cool at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before cutting. This allows them to set and retain their shape. But if you **can’t** wait, we understand! The aroma is tempting!
## Why You’ll Adore These Cookie Bars
– **Chewy**
– **Buttery**
– **Just the right sweetness**
– **Infused with orange**
– **Vegan + gluten-free**
– **SO simple to prepare!**
These bars are ideal for fall gatherings, satisfying cookie cravings any time, and sharing with vegan/gluten-free friends or anyone who enjoys the cranberry + orange pairing.
## More Cranberry Orange Delights
If you give this recipe a try, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo [@minimalistbaker](https://www.instagram.com/minimalistbaker/) on Instagram. Happy baking, friends!
## Recipe Details
### Ingredients
– 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal
– 2 ½ Tbsp orange juice
– 1 Tbsp orange zest
– 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
– ¾ cup packed brown sugar
– ½ cup melted vegan butter
– 1 ⅓ cups gluten-free flour blend
– ¾ tsp baking powder
– ½ tsp sea salt
– ½ cup dried cranberries (or dried tart cherries)
### Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Set it aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine flaxseed meal, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract (optional). Allow it to gel for 5 minutes. Then, mix in the brown sugar and melted vegan butter. Whisk thoroughly to combine.
3. Gently fold in the gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, and sea salt. Finally, stir in the dried cranberries until just combined.
4. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan, press to level the top, and bake for 25-28 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the center is golden. Allow to cool at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before slicing into bars.
5. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
### Nutrition Information (per bar)
– Calories: 149
– Carbohydrates: 25.4 g
– Protein: 0.5 g
– Fat: 5.4 g
– Saturated Fat: 4 g
– Sodium: 137 mg
– Sugar: 13.9 g
Enjoy your cranberry orange cookie bars!