CRANBERRY-PEAR CAKE BARS

Cranberry-Pear Cake Bars image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 1h

Yield Makes 18

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
2 cups all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest (from 1 orange)
2 firm pears, peeled, halved, cored, and thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
8 ounces fresh or thawed frozen cranberries (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup walnut pieces
Whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with butter. Line bottom and two sides with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on sides; butter paper, and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, and zest until smooth. Add flour mixture; mix just until moistened (do not overmix). Fold in pears, cranberries, and walnuts.
Transfer batter to prepared pan; smooth top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool completely in pan set on a rack. Using parchment overhang, lift cake from pan, and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 18 squares; serve with whipped cream, if desired.