Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Introduction

Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful treat blending tart dried cranberries, sweet white chocolate, and a zesty hint of orange. Topped with creamy cheesecake frosting and extra cranberries, these bars are perfect for festive occasions or cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries, chopped
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• Zest of 1 orange
• Cream Cheese Frosting:
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Step 4: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
6. Step 6: Fold in the chopped dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and orange zest until evenly distributed.
7. Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Step 8: Once baked, remove from oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Step 9: While the bars are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until creamy.
10. Step 10: Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well combined and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
11. Step 11: Once the cranberry bars have completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
12. Step 12: Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries over the frosting for garnish.
13. Step 13: Cut into squares or bars, serve, and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For extra zest, add a teaspoon of orange extract to the batter along with the zest.
• Swap dried cranberries for dried cherries for a different fruity twist.
• Use white chocolate chunks for a richer texture instead of chips.
• To make frosting easier to spread, ensure bars are completely cool before applying.

Storage

Store the cranberry bliss bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture. You can also freeze the bars (without frosting) for up to 2 months; thaw completely before frosting and serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Fresh cranberries have high moisture content and may alter the batter consistency. It’s best to use dried cranberries for texture and flavor balance.

How do I prevent the frosting from melting?

Make sure the bars are completely cooled before spreading the frosting. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate the frosted bars for about 30 minutes to set the frosting firmly.

Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 143 reviews

Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful treat combining a soft, buttery base studded with dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and a hint of orange zest, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting and more dried cranberries for garnish. Perfect for festive occasions or a cozy dessert, these bars offer a perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors with a creamy finish.

• Author: luca
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bar Batter

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries, chopped
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• Zest of 1 orange

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness.
6. Incorporate Cranberries, Chocolate, and Zest: Fold in the chopped dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and orange zest until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Bake the Bars: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool Bars: Once baked, remove from oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Prepare Frosting: While the bars cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together in a mixing bowl until creamy.
10. Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well combined and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
11. Frost the Bars: Once the cranberry bars have completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
12. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries over the frosting for garnish. Cut into squares or bars, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

• Make sure the bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
• If you prefer, you can substitute chopped white chocolate chunks with chips.
• For extra zestiness, add a little more orange zest to the batter or frosting.
• Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• These bars can be frozen without frosting; frost after thawing for best results.

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