Description
These Cranberry Pistachio Bliss Bars combine a buttery, tender base studded with tart dried cranberries, crunchy pistachios, and sweet white chocolate chips. Finished with a creamy and smooth cream cheese frosting, extra garnished cranberries, pistachios, and a white chocolate drizzle, these bars are a perfect balance of flavors and textures for holiday treats or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Bar Base
- 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Toppings
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips, melted
- Chopped dried cranberries for garnish
- Chopped pistachios for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil and lightly coat with nonstick spray to ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the room temperature butter and packed light brown sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Leavening: Add the eggs, vanilla extract, baking powder, and kosher salt to the creamed mixture. Mix on medium speed for one more minute until everything is smooth, scraping the bowl sides as needed to ensure thorough mixing.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Mix-ins: Lower the mixer speed to low and gradually add the all-purpose flour. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the dough. Then fold in the chopped dried cranberries, pistachios, and white chocolate chips to evenly distribute them throughout the batter.
- Bake the Bars: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the center is just set. Avoid over-baking to keep the bars moist and tender.
- Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool fully in the pan on a wire rack before moving on to frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting or sliding off.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: In the clean bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Frost the Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars in the pan.
- Garnish and Drizzle: Sprinkle extra chopped dried cranberries and pistachios over the frosting. Drizzle the melted white chocolate chips over the top to create an elegant finishing touch.
- Set and Serve: Allow the white chocolate drizzle to set before cutting the bars into approximately 30 pieces. Serve and enjoy this delightful treat.
Notes
- For easier cutting, chill the bars in the refrigerator after frosting and before slicing.
- If you prefer, substitute cream cheese frosting with a simple powdered sugar glaze for a lighter option.
- Use good quality white chocolate chips for the best flavor and smooth melting.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Bring bars to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
