Cranberry Bliss Bars
User Reviews
4.7
Cranberry Bliss Bars
Description
These Cranberry Bliss Bars start with a batter mixing sugars infused with orange zest, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla, then dry ingredients including flour, baking powder, cornstarch, salt, and a touch of cinnamon are folded in. Dried cranberries and white chocolate chips add bursts of tartness and creamy sweetness. The batter is baked in a 9x13-inch pan until golden and toothpick-clean. Once cooled, the bars are topped with a frosting combining melted white chocolate, coconut oil, softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and orange zest, finished with chopped dried cranberries for texture and color.
The bars offer a soft crumb with a balance of bright orange, tart cranberry, and sweet white chocolate flavors. They are best stored in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting but can be left at room temperature if consumed soon after baking. The bars freeze well individually and maintain their flavors and textures when thawed properly.
This recipe is suited for those looking to make a refreshing, flavorful baked dessert combining classic holiday flavors of cranberry and orange with a creamy finish.
Ingredients
For the bars:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp. orange zest, ~from 1 orange
- 1 cup dark brown sugar packed, light works too
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
- 2 large egg
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. cornstarch
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon or ground ginger
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cranberries
For the frosting:
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
- 8 oz. cream cheese full-fat, softened to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar or more as needed
- 1 Tbsp. orange zest
- dried cranberry roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Combine the granulated sugar and orange zest together in a large bowl. Rub the sugar and zest between your fingertips to create an orange sugar. This helps release the natural oils and infuse more orange flavor into the bars.
- Add in the brown sugar and mix to combine.
- Pour in the melted butter and whisk melted butter and sugars together until a paste forms, ~1 minute.
- Then add eggs and vanilla and whisk again to combine.
- Add dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Batter will be thick, that's perfect!
- Fold in the cranberries and white chocolate chips.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 23-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Careful not to over bake. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips and coconut oil together until smooth. Beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar and zest. Mix in half of the melted white chocolate.
- Spread evenly on top of the cooled blondies.
- Sprinkle the dried cranberries on top. Use a fork or a piping bag to drizzle the remaining melted chocolate over the frosted bars and finish with a little more orange zest, if desired.
- Allow the white chocolate to set. Tip: If you're aiming for clean-cut edges, refrigerate the frosted and drizzled bars for about 30 minutes before cutting them. Use a sharp knife, and you'll get beautifully cut bars. Enjoy!
Notes
- Store these bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh, up to one week.
- For short-term use, they may be left at room temperature for a couple of hours before serving.
- Freeze bars individually on a baking sheet, then layer in airtight containers with parchment paper to prevent sticking; freeze up to 2-3 months.
- Thaw frozen bars in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for a few hours before enjoying.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 18bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 324 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1bar | |
| Calories | 324kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 42g | 14% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Sugar | 32g | 64% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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