Cranberry Bliss Bars (Printable)

Buttery cranberry bars with orange cream cheese frosting and white chocolate drizzle for festive occasions.

# What you'll need:

→ Bar Base

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup packed brown sugar
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 3 large eggs
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
11 - 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

→ Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

12 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
13 - 1 cup powdered sugar
14 - 1 tablespoon orange zest
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

→ Topping

16 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
17 - 1/3 cup white chocolate, melted

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3-5 minutes.
03 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract until fully combined.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
06 - Fold in chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips using a spatula.
07 - Spread batter evenly into prepared pan and smooth the top surface.
08 - Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and edges are golden brown.
09 - Allow bars to cool in pan for 15 minutes, then lift out using parchment overhang and transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
10 - In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Mix in orange zest and orange juice until spreadable consistency.
11 - Once completely cool, spread frosting evenly over bars.
12 - Sprinkle with chopped dried cranberries if desired. Drizzle melted white chocolate over top using spoon or piping bag.
13 - Cut bars into squares or rectangles and serve.

# Expert suggestions:

01 -
  • The orange cream cheese frosting brings a bright, unexpected zing that cuts through the buttery sweetness in the most delightful way.
  • You can assemble the whole thing in one afternoon without any fussy techniques or tricky steps.
  • They hold up beautifully in the fridge for days, which means you can bake ahead and actually enjoy your own party.
  • The white chocolate drizzle makes them look bakery-perfect even if your piping skills are questionable.
02 -
  • Let the cream cheese and butter sit out until they're truly soft; cold cream cheese will leave lumps in your frosting no matter how long you beat it.
  • Don't skip the parchment paper overhang, it's the only way to get clean cuts without the bars crumbling or sticking to the pan.
  • If your white chocolate seizes when melting, stir in a tiny bit of coconut oil or shortening to bring it back to a smooth, drizzle-able consistency.
03 -
  • Chop the cranberries with a sharp knife instead of a food processor so they stay in distinct pieces instead of turning into mush.
  • These bars taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld, so bake them a day ahead if you can.
  • If you're making them for a crowd, cut them into smaller squares; the frosting is rich and a little goes a long way.
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