Description
Delightfully festive and indulgent, these Cranberry Bliss Bars combine a tender, spiced buttery base with sweet white chocolate chips and tart dried cranberries, all topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting infused with vanilla and orange extracts. Finished with a drizzle of melted white chocolate and a sprinkle of chopped cranberries, these bars are perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you crave a luxurious, fruity treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bars:
- 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)
For the Topping:
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking. Set it aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, beat the melted butter and packed light brown sugar together until well blended and smooth. Incorporate the eggs, vanilla extract, and orange extract, beating until fully combined and the mixture is uniform.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the ground ginger, baking powder, kosher salt, and all-purpose flour to the wet mixture. Beat just until everything is blended—avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender. Then gently fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries to distribute them evenly.
- Bake the Bars: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 22 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together for about 3 minutes until creamy and smooth. Add in the vanilla and orange extracts and continue to beat for another 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure an even texture.
- Frost and Garnish: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Sprinkle chopped dried cranberries on top for added texture and color. Melt the white chocolate and drizzle it decoratively over the frosted bars for an elegant finishing touch.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the bars for about one hour to set the frosting and white chocolate drizzle. Once firm, slice into 24 squares and enjoy your cranberry bliss bars!
Notes
- Ensure the bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the cream cheese topping from melting.
- For easier slicing, chill the bars well and use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts.
- You can substitute dried cranberries for other dried fruits like cherries or blueberries for a different twist.
- Store leftover bars refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For a stronger orange flavor, add a teaspoon of orange zest to the bars or frosting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/24th of recipe)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
