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Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 149 reviews

Delight in these festive Cranberry Bliss Bars featuring a buttery, tender base studded with tart dried cranberries and sweet white chocolate chips, topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, extra cranberries, and a drizzle of melted white chocolate for a perfect holiday treat.

Ingredients

Scale

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
  • ⅛ teaspoon finely grated orange zest (optional)

Topping:

  • ¼ cup white chocolate chips, melted
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×11 inch baking pan with foil and grease the foil to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until well combined and slightly thickened, approximately one minute. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth and combined.
  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 and gently stir with a rubber spatula until just combined to avoid overmixing.
  4. Add Cranberries and Chocolate Chips: Fold in ½ cup dried cranberries and ½ cup white chocolate chips evenly into the batter.
  5. Press Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. To create an even surface, moisten the palm of your hand with water and gently press the batter down.
  6. Bake the Bars: Bake for 18-22 minutes until the bars have puffed slightly, turned light brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bars may appear slightly underbaked, but will firm up as they cool. Avoid overbaking to keep them moist.
  7. Cool Completely: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
  8. Prepare Frosting: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest if using, mixing until combined. Add a splash of milk if the frosting is too thick; add more powdered sugar to thicken if needed.
  9. Frost the Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
  10. Add Toppings: Scatter the remaining dried cranberries over the frosting. Drizzle melted white chocolate chips over the cranberries for garnish and added sweetness.

Notes

  • To melt the white chocolate chips, use a microwave in short bursts of 15 seconds, stirring in between to avoid burning.
  • If you prefer a thicker frosting, add additional powdered sugar gradually; for a thinner spread, add milk sparingly.
  • Use fresh dried cranberries for best texture and flavor—avoid overly dry or hard cranberries.
  • Letting the bars cool completely ensures the frosting adheres well and prevents melting.
  • These bars store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

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

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