Cranberry Bliss Bars
User Reviews
5
Cranberry Bliss Bars
Description
The Cranberry Bliss Bars recipe starts with a rich butter and brown sugar cookie base enhanced by vanilla and orange extracts to highlight the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips folded into the batter. Baking until just set creates a tender yet sturdy bar that holds together well. The cream cheese frosting adds a smooth, tangy layer accented by vanilla, orange zest, and a touch of cornstarch to maintain structure. Dried cranberries and white chocolate chips scattered on top of the frosting add visual appeal and an extra burst of flavor. The cooling step is important to prevent the frosting from melting and to achieve a clean cut.
The combination of tart dried cranberries and sweet white chocolate with the citrus notes in both the cookie and frosting offers a nuanced taste experience. The bars can be refrigerated to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh and firm. Their size and density make them convenient for serving at gatherings or as a sweet snack.
Storing these bars tightly covered in the refrigerator helps maintain their texture and flavor for up to five days. Using parchment or silicone baking mats helps with easy removal and clean slicing. The recipe’s use of orange and vanilla extracts combined with the dried fruit sets these bars apart as a subtly flavored but rich treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- 1 cup butter salted
- 1 3/4 cups brown sugar tightly packed
- 2 egg at room temperature, large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Topping
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips left whole
- 1/3 cup white chocolate chips melted
- 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
Cookie Base
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9” by 13” baking pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and orange extract. Mix until combined and set this aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring only as much as necessary to blend.
- Gently fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Check with a toothpick. You want there to be just a few crumbs stuck on the toothpick which means it is ready to come out. If it is still quite wet, give it another 5 minutes. Place the pan on a wire rack and allow the bars to cool completely.
Frosting
- While the bars are cooling, prepare the frosting.Beat the cream cheese until creamy. Beat in the icing sugar and cornstarch. Add in the vanilla extract, orange zest, and salt. Beat this until well blended.
- When the bars are cooled, spread the icing all over the top. Then sprinkle evenly with the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
Topping
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips with the vegetable oil. Melt and stir in 15 second intervals – chocolate can burn very quickly.
- When this is fully melted, use a fork to beat it smooth, then use the fork to drizzle the melted chocolate over the frosted bars. For best results, place the pan in the fridge and allow the finished bars to cool for an hour before cutting and removing from the pan.
Notes
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese frosting firm and fresh for up to five days.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper or a silicone mat to help remove the bars cleanly and make slicing easier.
- Ensure the bars have cooled completely before spreading the frosting to prevent it from melting and losing texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 326kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 47g | 16% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 46mg | 15% |
| Sodium | 159mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 103mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 36g | 72% |
| Vitamin A | 386IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 0.2mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 57mg | 6% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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