Cranberry Bliss Bars
User Reviews
5
Cranberry Bliss Bars
Description
This recipe creates moist bars with a buttery base enhanced by brown sugar and vanilla, combined with ground ginger and optional candied ginger to provide warm spice notes. Dried cranberries contribute tartness while white chocolate pieces add sweetness and texture contrast. The batter is baked until lightly browned in a 9x13-inch pan, forming a dense yet tender crumb.
The topping is a smooth frosting made from Neufchatel cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar, which adds a creamy, mildly tangy finish complementing the spiced base. The frosting is spread on cooled bars and can be garnished with additional cranberries.
Cranberry Bliss Bars make a fitting dessert for seasonal gatherings or coffee breaks, offering a mix of tart, sweet, and spiced flavors in a handheld form.
To prepare homemade candied ginger addition, combine grated fresh ginger with sugar. The bars should be baked until lightly browned to maintain moistness. The frosting sets best on completely cooled bars.
Ingredients
Bars
- 1 1/2 butter softened, sticks
- 1 1/4 cups brown sugar packed
- 3 egg large
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 Tablespoons ginger optional, candied, minced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries I used pomegranate Craisins, minced
- 4 oz. white chocolate I used 1 bar of Lindt, coarsely chopped
Frosting
- 4 oz. neufchatel cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and lightly grease a 9x13 pan.
- Beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla.
- Once incorporated, add eggs one at a time.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and ground ginger.
- Combine flour and butter mixture.
- Separately, mix fresh ginger and 1 teaspoon of sugar, then add to the dough.
- Fold in cranberries and chocolate.
- Put in greased 9 X 13 pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
- For frosting mix Neufchatel cheese, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar until well combined. Put on top of cooled bars. Add additional cranberries on top if desired.
Notes
- Make your own candied ginger by mixing 2 teaspoons sugar with 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger.
- Bake the bars until lightly browned to keep them moist but fully cooked.
- Allow bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- The bars can be cut into squares and kept refrigerated for freshness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 203 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 203kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Cholesterol | 45mg | 15% |
| Sodium | 117mg | 5% |
| Sugar | 20g | 40% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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