Cranberry bars

Ingredients (4-6 servings):

170 g unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (not thawed if frozen; 3/4 pound)
1/4 cup water
Confectioners sugar for dusting

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 180°C with rack in middle.

Line a 9-inch (23 cm) square baking pan with 2 crisscrossed sheets of foil, leaving an overhang on 2 opposite sides, then butter foil.

Blend butter, flour, salt, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a food processor until mixture begins to clump together. Press into bottom of pan.

Bake until pale golden and sides begin to pull away from pan, 25 to 30 minutes.

While crust is baking, cook cranberries, remaining 2/3 cup granulated sugar, and water in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until berries burst, 6 to 8 minutes.

Pour cranberries over crust and bake until edge is golden, about 25 minutes.

Sift confectioners sugar over the top and cool completely in pan on a rack. Lift out of pan using foil overhang and cut into 12 squares, then sift more confectioners sugar over top.