Description
Cranberry Bliss Bars are soft, chewy bars filled with tart cranberries, orange zest, and topped with creamy frosting and white chocolate drizzle. Perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- For the Drizzle:
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract and orange zest.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients, folding in cranberries and white chocolate chips.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then stir in vanilla extract and orange juice. Frost the cooled bars.
- Melt white chocolate chips in the microwave and drizzle over the frosted bars. Allow the drizzle to set before cutting into squares.
Notes
- Ensure the bars cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Check the bars a few minutes before the timer goes off to avoid overbaking.
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor, especially the cranberries and cream cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, holiday dessert, cranberry bars, festive bars, creamy cranberry dessert