Description
Delicious Cranberry Bliss Bars featuring a buttery base studded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, topped with a creamy white chocolate cream cheese frosting and a drizzle of white chocolate with dried cranberries for the perfect holiday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cranberry Bliss Bar
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar or ¾ cup white sugar & ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 6 ounces white chocolate (baking chocolate recommended)
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese (brick-style)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons whipping cream
Topping
- 2 ounces white chocolate
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray, then line with parchment paper leaving an overhang around the edges for easy removal.
- Make the Batter: In a large bowl, beat together the melted butter and sugar until combined. Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until smooth. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Then mix in the orange zest, white chocolate chips, and dried cranberries evenly.
- Bake the Bars: Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow bars to cool completely.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: Chop the white chocolate into small pieces and place in a heatproof bowl. Microwave on medium power for 45 seconds, stirring in between intervals until melted and smooth. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until soft. With the mixer on low speed, slowly beat in the melted white chocolate followed by the powdered sugar a little at a time. Add whipping cream 1 tablespoon at a time to reach desired frosting consistency.
- Frost the Bars: Once bars have cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Chill briefly if needed to set the frosting.
- Make the Topping: Chop the white chocolate into small pieces and melt in the microwave on medium power for 45-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the frosted bars and sprinkle with dried cranberries.
- Slice and Serve: Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars from the pan onto a cutting board. Slice into 16 bars using a sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between slices for neat cuts.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Bake and fully cool the bars, then cover and refrigerate. Frost the next day for best results.
- Storage: Store frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- Freezing: Bake and cool bars completely, then wrap tightly and freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.
- Chocolate Choice: Using baking white chocolate instead of chips in the frosting ensures a smoother texture.
- Whipping Cream: Adjust the amount of whipping cream in the frosting to achieve your preferred consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
