Cranberry White Chocolate Bars
User Reviews
5
Cranberry White Chocolate Bars
Description
This recipe uses a soft dough mixed with finely chopped dried cranberries and divided white chocolate chips to spread flavor throughout the bars. Orange zest and almond extract subtly enhance the fruit and chocolate flavors. Baking time is carefully controlled to keep the bars slightly underdone in the center, ensuring a soft, tender bite once cooled. Chilling the bars before frosting allows easier spreading and helps the texture set properly.
The cream cheese frosting uses softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk to create a smooth, slightly tangy topping that complements the sweet, fruity bars well. Parchment-lined baking pan ensures easy removal and clean edges. This dessert works well as a snack or casual treat, appealing to those who like a combination of tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate in a soft bar form.
Ingredients
- 1 tick butter melted, unsalted
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp orange zest grated
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼-½ tsp almond extract your preference
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ cup dried cranberries Craisins brand
- ½ +⅓ cup white chocolate chips divided
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tbsp milk of choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a microwave safe mixing bowl, add the butter, cover with a paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds to achieve a softened, but not completely melted texture.
- Add the brown and white sugar to the bowl with the butter and use an electric hand mixer to combine until the butter is completely absorbed into the sugar.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and fresh orange zest to the mixture. Beat again.
- Then, beat in the all purpose flour and baking soda.
- Dice the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, then use a rubber spatula to mix in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
- Add the dough to the parchment lined pan. Spread to the edges and push down slightly to flatten.
- Bake for 26-30 minutes or until the edges of the bars are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and place into the refrigerator (on a pot holder). For 1-2 hours until chilled.
- While the cookie bars are chilling, make the cream cheese frosting. With an electric hand mixer, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar and milk. Whip together until smooth, then stir in the orange zest.
- Once the bars have cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting across the top. Then melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second intervals stirring between each. Use a spoon to drizzle the melted chocolate over the bars in a back and forth fashion. Optionally, add additional orange zest and dried cranberries to the top.
- Cut the cookie bars into large squares and then diagonals to take on the shape similar to Starbucks. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can leave cranberries and white chocolate chips in larger pieces if you prefer chunkier texture and less uniform mixing.
- Avoid overbaking; central softness is key and bars will finish cooking as they cool, preserving a chewy texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 414 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1bar | |
| Calories | 414kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 63g | 21% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Cholesterol | 53mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 53mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 18mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 31g | 62% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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