Description
Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful dessert featuring a buttery, orange-zested base loaded with white chocolate chips and dried cranberries, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting and extra drizzled white chocolate with dried cranberries for garnish. Perfect for festive occasions or an indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cranberry Bliss Bar
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 1/2 cups light 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 baking chocolate
- 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 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the melted butter and light brown sugar until combined. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix well.
- Combine dry ingredients and add to wet: With the mixer on low speed, mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
- Add flavorings and mix-ins: Mix in the orange zest, white chocolate chips, and dried cranberries evenly throughout the batter.
- Bake the bars: Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Melt white chocolate for frosting: Chop the white baking chocolate into small pieces and place in a heatproof bowl. Microwave on medium power for 45 seconds, stirring between intervals until smooth.
- Make cream cheese frosting: Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until soft. With the mixer on low speed, add the melted white chocolate, then gradually beat in the powdered sugar. Add whipping cream one tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Frost the bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
- Prepare topping: Chop the white chocolate into small pieces and melt in the microwave on medium heat using 45-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Decorate bars: 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 and place on a cutting board. Slice with a sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between cuts for neat pieces.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Bake and completely cool the bars before covering; frost the next day for best flavor.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- Freezing: Wrap cooled bars tightly and freeze for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting.
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: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
