Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Introduction

Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful treat that combines tart cranberries with sweet white chocolate and a creamy frosting. Inspired by classic holiday flavors, these bars make a perfect dessert or snack any time of year.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
• 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 large egg
• ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup white chocolate chips
• 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
• 1⅓ cups powdered sugar
• ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Milk (to thin frosting as needed)
• ⅛ teaspoon finely grated orange zest (optional)
• ¼ cup white chocolate chips (melted, for drizzling)
• ¼ cup dried cranberries (for topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×11 inch pan with foil and lightly grease the foil to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until fully combined and smooth, about one minute. Add the egg and vanilla extract, whisking again until well mixed.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Fold in ½ cup dried cranberries and ½ cup white chocolate chips.
4. Step 4: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Moistening the palm of your hand with water can help gently press the batter evenly.
5. Step 5: Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the bars have puffed up slightly and turned light brown. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. The bars may look slightly underbaked but will finish cooking as they cool. Let cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
6. Step 6: For the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth using a hand or stand mixer. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest (if using), beating until fully combined. Adjust consistency with a splash of milk to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken as needed.
7. Step 7: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Scatter remaining dried cranberries on top, then drizzle melted white chocolate over the cranberries for a pretty finish.

Tips & Variations

• For a twist, swap out dried cranberries for dried cherries or raspberries to vary the tartness.
• If you prefer a richer flavor, toast the white chocolate chips lightly before mixing them into the batter.
• Use orange zest in the frosting to brighten the flavor, or omit it for a more classic taste.
• To melt white chocolate without burning, use a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently.

Storage

Store the finished bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To serve, let them come to room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for about 10 seconds. You can also freeze the unfrosted bars for up to 3 months and add frosting after thawing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Fresh cranberries are more tart and contain more moisture, which can affect the texture. It’s best to stick with dried cranberries for balanced flavor and proper consistency.

Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 146 reviews

Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful dessert featuring a buttery, chewy base studded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, dried cranberries, and a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion, these bars combine tartness and sweetness in every bite.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bars

• ½ cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
• 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 large egg
• ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 ⅓ cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup white chocolate chips

Frosting

• 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 ⅓ cups powdered sugar
• ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• milk (to thin frosting as needed)
• ⅛ teaspoon finely grated orange zest (optional)

Topping

• ¼ cup white chocolate chips (melted)
• ¼ cup dried cranberries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×11 inch baking pan with foil and grease the foil thoroughly to ensure the bars don’t stick.
2. Prepare wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted and slightly cooled butter with the packed light brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined, about one full minute. Then add in the egg and vanilla extract, whisking well until fully incorporated.
3. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a rubber spatula just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Add mix-ins: Fold in ½ cup dried cranberries and ½ cup white chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter.
5. Transfer batter to pan: Scoop the batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer. To get a smooth, uniform surface, moisten the palm of your hand with water and gently press the batter down.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes. The bars are done when they have puffed slightly, turn very light golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. They may look a little underbaked but will firm up as they cool. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft and chewy.
7. Cool: Remove from oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
8. Prepare frosting: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest (if using), continuing to beat until well combined. If the frosting is too thick, add a small splash of milk to thin it to spreading consistency; if too thin, add more powdered sugar to thicken.
9. Frost the bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the completely cooled bars.
10. Add toppings: Scatter ¼ cup dried cranberries evenly over the frosted bars. Then drizzle the melted white chocolate chips over the top for a beautiful and flavorful finish.

Notes

• Make sure the melted butter is slightly cooled before mixing with sugar to prevent cooking the egg.
• Do not overbake the bars; they should be slightly underdone in the center for the best texture.
• Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for smoothest frosting.
• The orange zest is optional but adds a lovely citrus brightness to the frosting.
• To melt white chocolate chips, warm them gently in the microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
• Foil lining the pan makes removal and cutting easier.

Keywords: Cranberry Bliss Bars, white chocolate bars, cream cheese frosting bars, holiday dessert, baked bars, cranberry dessert bars