Cranberry Bliss Bars

why make this recipe

Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delicious treat that combines the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of white chocolate and the richness of cream cheese. They are perfect for sharing with friends and family during the holidays or just enjoying with a cup of coffee. The vibrant flavors and festive colors make these bars an instant crowd-pleaser.

how to make Cranberry Bliss Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp orange zest
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups + 2 tbsp Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 1/2-2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (chopped)
• 1/2 cup melted white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F and line a 9×13” baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Melt the butter in a small pot over low heat.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar.
4. Add the eggs, orange zest, and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the ground ginger, baking powder, salt, and flour.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
7. Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 22-24 minutes, until light golden brown around the edges. Be careful not to over-bake!
8. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese for 1 minute. Then add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until smooth. Adjust the amount of powdered sugar for desired consistency.
9. Once the bars are cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting on top, sprinkle with chopped cranberries, and drizzle with melted white chocolate.
10. Slice into triangles and enjoy! Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

how to serve Cranberry Bliss Bars

Serve Cranberry Bliss Bars as a delightful dessert or snack. They can be enjoyed on their own or paired with coffee or tea for an afternoon treat. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a special surprise for friends!

how to store Cranberry Bliss Bars

Store the Cranberry Bliss Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can stay fresh for up to a week. If you prefer, you can also freeze them for longer storage. Just make sure to wrap them tightly to prevent freezer burn.

tips to make Cranberry Bliss Bars

1. Make sure the butter is fully melted but not browned, to keep the bars soft.
2. Use fresh cranberries for a pop of color, if you can find them.
3. Adjust the sweetness of your frosting by controlling the amount of powdered sugar used.
4. For a more festive touch, sprinkle some chopped nuts on top along with the cranberries.

variation

You can customize Cranberry Bliss Bars by adding different types of nuts, like pecans or walnuts, for added crunch. You can also substitute the white chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips if you prefer a richer taste.

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
   Yes, you can use fresh cranberries, but you may want to add a little extra sugar to balance their tartness.

2. Is there a gluten-free version of these bars?
   Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make them gluten-free.

3. Can I make these bars ahead of time?
   Absolutely! You can prepare them a day before serving. Just make sure to store them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.

Cranberry Bliss Bars

Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delicious treat that combines tart cranberries with white chocolate and cream cheese, making them perfect for sharing during the holidays.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 24 minutes mins

Total Time 39 minutes mins

Servings: 12 bars

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 290

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Bars

• 1 cup unsalted butter Melted
• 1.5 cups brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp orange zest
• 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.25 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 2 cups Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Flour Spoon and leveled
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 0.75 cups dried cranberries

For the Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese Softened to room temperature
• 1.5-2 cups powdered sugar Adjust for desired consistency
• 0.25 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries Chopped
• 0.5 cup melted white chocolate chips

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F and line a 9x13” baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Melt the butter in a small pot over low heat.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar.
4. Add the eggs, orange zest, and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the ground ginger, baking powder, salt, and flour.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
7. Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 22-24 minutes, until light golden brown around the edges.

Frosting and Serving

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese for 1 minute. Then add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until smooth.
2. Once the bars are cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting on top, sprinkle with chopped cranberries, and drizzle with melted white chocolate.
3. Slice into triangles and enjoy!

Notes

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator. They can stay fresh for up to a week. If you prefer, you can also freeze them for longer storage. Just make sure to wrap them tightly to prevent freezer burn.