Description

Cranberry Pistachio Bliss Bars are a delightful dessert featuring a buttery, chewy base studded with tart dried cranberries, crunchy pistachios, and sweet white chocolate chips. Topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, extra cranberries, pistachios, and a drizzle of melted white chocolate, these bars are perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a sweet and nutty treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Bars

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

For the Frosting and Garnish

1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup white chocolate chips, melted
Chopped dried cranberries for garnish
Chopped pistachios for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil and coat it with nonstick spray. Set aside.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and light brown sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Flavorings: Add the eggs, vanilla extract, baking powder, and kosher salt to the butter mixture. Continue mixing for another minute until the mixture is smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Incorporate Flour and Add-ins: Turn the mixer to low speed and gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing just until combined. Stir in the chopped dried cranberries, chopped pistachios, and white chocolate chips evenly into the batter.
Spread and Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the center is just set and the edges are lightly golden. Avoid over-baking to keep the bars moist.
Cool Bars: Allow the baked bars to cool completely in the pan before applying the frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting.
Prepare Frosting: In the mixing bowl, beat together the room temperature cream cheese and powdered sugar using the paddle attachment until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
Frost Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars in the pan.
Add Garnishes: Sprinkle additional chopped dried cranberries and pistachios on top of the frosted bars for added texture and flavor. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the bars to finish.
Set and Cut: Allow the melted white chocolate drizzle to set completely at room temperature, then cut the dessert into 30 bars and serve.

Notes

Ensure the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smoother mixing.
Do not over-bake the bars to maintain a chewy texture in the center.
Use parchment paper or foil to easily lift the bars out of the pan for cutting.
Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
For a nut-free version, substitute pistachios with sunflower seeds or omit them entirely.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 190 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 95 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 24 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 30 mg