Description
Cranberry Bliss Bars are a festive and delightful treat featuring a buttery base loaded with dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and a hint of orange zest, topped with a creamy white chocolate cream cheese frosting and extra cranberries. Perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a sweet, tangy, and creamy bar dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Cranberry Bliss Bar
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar or ¾ cup white sugar & ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 6 ounces white chocolate (preferably baking chocolate)
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese (brick-style)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons whipping cream
Topping
- 2 ounces white chocolate
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the melted butter and sugar until combined. Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Add dry ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
- Incorporate flavorings: Stir in the orange zest, white chocolate chips, and dried cranberries evenly into the batter.
- Bake the bars: Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Melt white chocolate for frosting: Chop 6 ounces white chocolate into small pieces. Microwave on medium power for 45 seconds, stirring between intervals until smooth.
- Prepare cream cheese frosting: Beat the cream cheese until soft. With mixer on low, add melted white chocolate, then gradually beat in powdered sugar. Add 1 tablespoon of whipping cream at a time, mixing until the desired consistency is reached.
- Frost the bars: Allow bars to cool completely before spreading the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Prepare topping: Chop 2 ounces white chocolate and melt using 45-second microwave intervals on medium power, stirring until smooth. Drizzle melted chocolate over the frosted bars and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons dried cranberries.
- Slice and serve: Use the parchment overhang to lift bars from pan. Place on cutting board, and slice with a sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between cuts for neat slices.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Bake and cool bars completely, cover, and frost the next day for best flavor.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- Freezing: Freeze fully cooled bars in a tightly wrapped, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting.
- Use brick-style cream cheese to prevent frosting from being too runny.
- Using baking chocolate instead of chips for melting produces a smoother frosting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
