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Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 28 reviews

Deliciously festive Cranberry Bliss Bars featuring a tender buttery base studded with tart dried cranberries and creamy white chocolate chips, topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting infused with vanilla and orange zest, garnished with extra cranberries and a white chocolate drizzle. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a delightful year-round treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Bars:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1½ cups brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1 cup all-purpose + 1 cup cake flour)
  • 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup dried cranberries
  • ¾ cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate

For the Frosting & Topping:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional: 1–2 tsp orange juice or zest
  • ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped (for garnish)
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips, melted (for drizzle)

Instructions

  1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
  2. Cream Butter & Sugar: Beat butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed for 2–3 minutes until pale and fluffy, ensuring a light texture.
  3. Add Eggs & Flavorings: Incorporate eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, then beat in vanilla extract and orange zest to enhance flavor.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
  5. Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
  6. Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
  7. Bake: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 22–25 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Let the bars cool completely before frosting.
  8. Prepare Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and optional orange juice or zest, beating until creamy and free of lumps.
  9. Frost & Garnish: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Sprinkle with chopped dried cranberries and drizzle melted white chocolate over the top for an elegant finish.
  10. Chill & Slice: Refrigerate the bars for at least one hour to allow the frosting to firm up for clean slicing. Cut into squares or triangles using a sharp knife.

Notes

  • For best results, use room temperature eggs and softened butter for easier mixing and better texture.
  • You can substitute cake flour for half of the all-purpose flour for a lighter, softer crumb.
  • If white chocolate chips are not available, chopped white chocolate bars work well as an alternative.
  • Chilling the bars thoroughly before slicing helps achieve clean edge cuts.
  • Optional orange juice in the frosting adds a fresh citrus note; feel free to omit if preferred.
  • Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • These bars can be frozen without frosting for up to 3 months; thaw before frosting and serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, white chocolate cranberry bars, cream cheese frosting bars, holiday dessert bars, easy cranberry dessert

Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/cranberry-bliss-bars-recipe/