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Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

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★★★★

3.9 from 24 reviews

Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful holiday treat featuring a soft, buttery base studded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, more cranberries, and a drizzle of melted white chocolate, these bars combine tartness, sweetness, and creamy textures for a festive and delicious dessert perfect for gifting or enjoying with friends and family.

Ingredients

Scale

For the 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

For the Frosting and Topping

  • 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 ⅓ cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Milk (to thin as needed)
  • ⅛ teaspoon finely grated orange zest (optional)
  • ¼ cup white chocolate chips (melted)
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×11-inch baking pan with foil and grease the foil thoroughly to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter and packed light brown sugar vigorously for at least one minute until well combined and smooth. Add the large egg and pure vanilla extract and whisk again until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt evenly. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and fold gently with a rubber spatula until ingredients are just combined to prevent overmixing.
  4. Add Mix-ins: Stir in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter, making sure they are well distributed.
  5. Spread Batter and Bake: Scoop the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. To achieve a smooth surface, wet the palm of your hand slightly and gently press the batter flat. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until the bars puff slightly, the edges and top turn light golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking as bars will continue to firm up when cooling.
  6. Cool Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and transfer to a wire rack. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before proceeding with the frosting.
  7. Prepare Frosting: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, pure vanilla extract, and optional orange zest, continuing to beat until thoroughly combined. Adjust the consistency by adding a small splash of milk to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken as needed.
  8. Frost Bars: Once the bars are completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top using a spatula or knife.
  9. Add Toppings: Scatter the additional dried cranberries over the frosted bars. Drizzle the melted white chocolate chips over the cranberries in a decorative pattern to finish the look and add extra sweetness.
  10. Serve and Store: Allow the topping to set for a few minutes before slicing into 12 bars. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh.

Notes

  • Be careful not to overbake the bars; they should be slightly undercooked when removed as they firm up while cooling.
  • To prevent frosting from cracking, ensure the bars are completely cooled before applying it.
  • The optional orange zest adds a lovely citrus note but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • Use parchment paper instead of foil if preferred for easier removal and less chance of tearing.
  • The melted white chocolate is best drizzled once cooled but still pourable; reheat gently if needed.

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

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