Description
These Cranberry Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a delightful treat combining a moist, buttery base studded with white baking chips, dried cranberries, and walnuts, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting enhanced by orange zest. Perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a sweet, fruity dessert bar.
Ingredients
Scale
Bars:
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup white baking chips
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Frosting:
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the cranberry bars.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 5 to 7 minutes, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Eggs, Sour Cream, and Extracts: Gradually beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the sour cream, almond extract, and vanilla extract until fully combined for a rich and flavorful batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients: Gradually beat the flour mixture into the creamed butter mixture until just combined, avoiding overmixing for tender bars.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold in the white baking chips, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts to add texture and bursts of flavor throughout the bars.
- Prepare Baking Pan and Spread Batter: Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan, then spread the batter evenly into the pan to ensure uniform cooking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are cooked through.
- Cool Completely: Remove from oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack to set and make frosting easier.
- Prepare Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, orange zest (if using), and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Add Confectioners’ Sugar: Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until fully incorporated and the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Frost Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries over the frosting, and optionally add more orange zest for decoration and flavor.
- Serve and Store: Cut into bars or triangles and serve. Refrigerate any leftovers to keep the frosting fresh.
Notes
- Make sure the butter, eggs, and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for the best texture and easier mixing.
- Be careful not to overbake to keep the bars moist and tender.
- The orange zest in the frosting is optional but adds a lovely citrus brightness complementing the cranberries.
- Store leftover bars in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans or omit nuts if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (based on 48 bars)
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
