Name: Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 ½ cups light brown sugar, packed; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon orange extract; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup white chocolate chips; ¾ cup dried cranberries (Craisins); 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1 ½ cups powdered sugar; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon orange extract; ¼ cup dried cranberries, chopped; ¼ cup white chocolate, melted

If you’re on the hunt for a deliciously festive treat that’s equally perfect for holiday gatherings or just a sweet anytime snack, then you’re in for a real treat. I absolutely love how this Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe comes together with its balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy flavors all wrapped into one irresistible bar. It’s a truly fan-freaking-tastic recipe that my family goes crazy for every time I make it, and I just know you’ll enjoy it too!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect flavor balance: The tart cranberries and white chocolate create a delightful sweet-and-tangy combo.
Simple ingredients: Most are pantry staples with a few special touches like orange extract that’ll wow your taste buds.
Crowd-pleaser: I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t fall in love with these creamy, dreamy bars.
Easy to make: With straightforward steps, you’ll have these bars ready faster than you think—no stress involved!

The image shows four triangular cookie bars with two layers: a thick, light beige cookie base filled with white chocolate chips and small dark red dried fruit pieces, topped with a smooth white frosting layer that has scattered dried cranberries and white chocolate drizzles. The cookie bars rest on white parchment paper placed on a wooden board, with extra white chocolate chips and dried cranberries scattered around. In the background, there's a white cup of black coffee and stacked white plates, all set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars, festive cranberry white chocolate bars, easy holiday bar recipe, sweet tangy white chocolate bars, Christmas dessert bars

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe lies in a handful of simple ingredients that work beautifully together. I’ve learned that using fresh, good-quality cream cheese and real extracts makes a noticeable difference in flavor.

Flat lay of a small mound of melted unsalted butter in a simple white ceramic bowl, light brown sugar heaped in a white bowl, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a small white bowl of orange extract, a small white bowl of ground ginger powder, a small white bowl of baking powder, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of white chocolate chips, a small white bowl of whole dried cranberries, a block of cream cheese on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, a small white bowl of finely chopped dried cranberries, a small white bowl with melted white chocolate, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars, festive cranberry white chocolate bars, easy holiday bar recipe, sweet tangy white chocolate bars, Christmas dessert bars

Unsalted butter: Melting it beforehand helps blend smoothly with the sugar for that rich, buttery base.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor—don’t swap it for white sugar if you want that depth.
Eggs: They provide structure and richness, so room temperature eggs help everything mix more evenly.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the sweet flavors; always go for pure vanilla if possible.
Orange extract: This little twist adds such a lovely citrus brightness—I discovered this trick making these bars for Christmas!
Ground ginger: Brings a subtle warmth that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Baking powder: Gives the bars a slight lift without making them cakey.
Kosher salt: Just enough salt to amplify the flavors without being salty.
All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that holds everything together.
White chocolate chips: Choose good-quality chips that melt nicely and keep their shape to give bursts of sweetness.
Dried cranberries (Craisins): You want chewy, tart cranberries for contrast; if your cranberries are too dry, soak them briefly before mixing.
Cream cheese: Softened and creamy for the luscious frosting—don’t substitute with low-fat for the best texture.
Powdered sugar: For that smooth, sweet frosting texture.
Chopped dried cranberries: A pretty, tangy topping that adds texture and color.
White chocolate (for melting): To drizzle on top, adding that final decadent touch I just can’t resist.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to mix things up sometimes and tailor this recipe to the occasion or the people I’m baking for. Don’t hesitate to play with add-ins or alternative flavors—you’ll be surprised how versatile these bars can be!

Swap dried cranberries for cherries: I once tried dried tart cherries instead, and my family really enjoyed the subtle flavor shift.
Use orange zest instead of extract: For a fresher, zingy flavor, adding a tablespoon of orange zest to the batter can brighten things up.
Make it gluten-free: I experimented with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and the texture was just as delightful.
Add toasted nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts sprinkled into the batter add a lovely crunch and nuttiness.

How to Make Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare your pan and preheat the oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment paper — this is a game changer because it makes removing the bars super easy without any sticking or crumbling. I like to leave some parchment overhang on the sides to use as handles for lifting the entire slab out when it’s cooled.

Step 2: Make the buttery bar base

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the melted butter and light brown sugar until you get a smooth, well-blended mixture. I love how the batter smells at this point! Then, add in your eggs and both the vanilla and orange extracts. Beat again until everything is combined. These extracts infuse such a subtle brightness that really sets these bars apart.

Step 3: Add the dry ingredients and mix-ins

Stir in ground ginger, baking powder, and kosher salt. Then add the all-purpose flour, folding it in gently just until everything comes together—do not overmix or the bars might get tough. Finally, fold in your white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. I always reserve a handful of the white chips and craisins to sprinkle on top if I want a more decorative look before the frosting goes on.

Step 4: Bake and cool

Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for about 22 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Don’t overbake—it’s better to err on the softer side. Once out of the oven, let the bars cool completely before you tackle the topping. Cooling is key because warm bars will cause the frosting to melt and slide off.

Step 5: Whip up the luscious cream cheese frosting

Beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar for about 3 minutes until fluffy and creamy. Then mix in vanilla and orange extracts, beating for an additional 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl sides once or twice to ensure everything gets incorporated well—this extra beating makes the frosting silky smooth and stable.

Step 6: Frost, decorate, and chill

Spread that heavenly frosting over your cooled bars in an even layer. Sprinkle with the chopped dried cranberries on top for color and a tart bite. I like to melt white chocolate chips gently and drizzle it over for that extra wow factor. Pop the bars into the fridge for about an hour before slicing. This chilling step helps everything set perfectly so the bars cut cleanly.

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Pro Tips for Making Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe

Room temperature ingredients: I’ve learned that having your eggs and cream cheese at room temp helps everything blend more smoothly and gives a better texture.
Don’t overmix the batter: Folding the flour just until combined keeps the bars tender and prevents them from turning tough.
Cool completely before frosting: I used to rush this step and ended up with melted frosting—it’s worth the wait!
Use parchment paper for easy lifting: This tip saves so much cleanup time and keeps your bars from breaking when cutting.

How to Serve Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe

This image shows a close-up of triangular cookie bars laid on a wooden board with white parchment paper. Each cookie bar has two layers: the bottom layer is golden brown with a crumbly texture, and the top layer is thick white frosting with visible shredded coconut and red dried fruit pieces sprinkled evenly over it. Some dried fruit pieces are scattered on the board near the bars. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars, festive cranberry white chocolate bars, easy holiday bar recipe, sweet tangy white chocolate bars, Christmas dessert bars

Garnishes

I usually finish my bars with a drizzle of melted white chocolate and a sprinkle of chopped dried cranberries — it makes them look elegant and adds a nice tart crunch with every bite. For special occasions, a tiny bit of orange zest on top gives a lovely fresh aroma that guests always comment on.

Side Dishes

These bars are a perfect sweet pairing with a hot cup of coffee or tea. For festive brunches, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit salad or a light yogurt parfait to balance their richness.

Creative Ways to Present

If I’m taking these Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars to a party, I arrange them on a rustic wooden board with sprigs of fresh rosemary and a few fresh cranberries scattered around—turns out simple touches can make all the difference. I’ve even wrapped individual bars in parchment and tied them with twine for charming homemade gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh. They stay perfectly moist and delicious for up to 4 days—if they last that long, that is. 😉 I also find placing parchment paper between layers helps prevent sticking.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these bars successfully by cutting them into squares first, then wrapping each piece tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When thawed overnight in the fridge, they taste almost as fresh as the day they were baked, making them great for prepping ahead.

Reheating

Since these bars have cream cheese frosting, I recommend enjoying them cold or at room temperature. If you prefer them slightly warm, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave works fine, but avoid overheating or the frosting will get melty.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Fresh cranberries are quite tart and contain more moisture than dried cranberries, which could affect the texture of the bars. If you want to use fresh, I recommend lightly cooking them down with a little sugar to soften and sweeten them before adding to the batter.
What if I don’t have orange extract? Can I skip it?

If you don’t have orange extract, you can substitute with fresh orange zest for a natural citrus flavor, or simply omit it. The bars will still be delicious, but the orange gives them a wonderful aromatic complexity.
How thick should I cut these bars?

Since these bars are rich and flavorful, I like to cut them into smaller squares about 2×2 inches. This size is perfect for serving at parties or enjoying with coffee without feeling overly indulgent.
Can these bars be made dairy-free?

It’s trickier because of the cream cheese frosting, but you could experiment with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and vegan butter. Just keep in mind the texture might differ slightly, so test a small batch first.

Final Thoughts

I’m so glad you stuck around, because this Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe truly is a keeper in my kitchen and my heart. It’s got that perfect mix of creamy, tart, and sweet, and honestly, I always feel proud serving them to friends or family. Give this recipe a try—I promise you’ll love the way these bars bring a little bit of joy to your day, whether for a special holiday or just because. Happy baking!