Cranberry Bliss Bars
User Reviews
4.6
Cranberry Bliss Bars
Description
Cranberry Bliss Bars feature a base made from all-purpose flour, sugars, and unsalted butter combined with egg whites and applesauce to keep it light and moist. Ground cinnamon adds warmth to the batter, along with white chocolate chips and chopped dried cranberries providing sweetness and texture. After baking to a light golden edge, the bars cool before being topped with a smooth, sweetened cream cheese frosting enriched with vanilla. This layering creates a contrast between the chewy, slightly crumbly texture of the bar and the creamy frosting. The cranberries punctuate the sweetness with a tart note that balances the vanilla-spiced chocolate and sugars.
The bars are baked in a 9 x 13-inch pan and cut into square portions, making them convenient for sharing or serving at holiday or casual occasions. To reduce sugar content, alternative sweeteners like monk fruit can be used as a substitute for traditional sugars. The recipe advises careful baking to avoid dry bars, noting that edges should be lightly browned and a toothpick inserted cleanly to judge doneness.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour Gold Medal
- 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1/3 less fat
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 ounces white baking chocolate (melted*)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries (chopped)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup brown sugar (unpacked)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 egg large, whites
- 1/4 cup applesauce unsweetened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup white chocolate chips or chopped
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9 x 13 inch non-stick baking pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and stir to blend.
- In another bowl, whisk the sugars with the butter, egg whites, applesauce and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in two additions until the batter is very well blended. If the batter looks more “crumbly” than smooth, add just a drop of water at a time (ONLY if needed) until it smooths out.
- Fold in white chocolate chips and 1/3 cup cranberries. Spread batter onto the baking pan using the back of a measuring cup to smooth evenly.
- Bake 10 - 14 minutes, until the edges are light brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Don't over-bake or your bars will be dry. Let it cool completely on wire rack.
- Meanwhile, prepare the frosting; in a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until well-blended. Frost bars and sprinkle with remaining cranberries. Drizzle with the melted white chocolate.
- *To melt the chocolate, place in a microwave safe cup and heat 15 seconds; stir. Another 15 seconds; stir until the chocolate is melted.
- When the chocolate sets, cut into 15 large squares (5 cuts by 3 cuts with the knife). Then cut each square in half diagonally to create triangles. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- Substitute sugars with Lakanto monk fruit sweetener for a lower WW points option.
- Do not overbake to maintain moistness; watch for lightly browned edges and clean toothpick test.
- Use softened cream cheese to ensure smooth frosting consistency.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 30servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 143 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1bar | |
| Calories | 143kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 23.5g | 8% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 5.5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g | 18% |
| Cholesterol | 6.5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 73.5mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 0.5g | 2% |
| Sugar | 16g | 32% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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