Description
Delight in these festive Cranberry Bliss Bars featuring a moist spiced brown sugar base loaded with white chocolate chips and dried cranberries, topped with a creamy orange-vanilla cream cheese frosting and a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you want a sweet, tangy 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 Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, beat the melted butter and light brown sugar together until well blended. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and orange extract, continuing to beat until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Mix: Incorporate ground ginger, baking powder, kosher salt, and all-purpose flour into the wet mixture. Beat just until everything is combined—avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender. Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
- Bake the Bars: Spread the batter evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 22 minutes, or until the bars are lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: Using a mixer, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar for about 3 minutes until creamy and smooth. Add vanilla and orange extracts, then beat for another 2-3 minutes, scraping down the bowl as necessary to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
- Frost and Garnish: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Sprinkle chopped dried cranberries on top. Melt the white chocolate and drizzle it over the frosted bars for a decorative finish.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the frosted bars for about one hour to set the frosting and chocolate drizzle. Once chilled, slice into approximately 24 bars and enjoy your festive Cranberry Bliss Bars.
Notes
- Ensure the bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
- If desired, substitute orange extract with all vanilla extract for a less citrusy flavor.
- For easier slicing, refrigerate the bars longer to firm up the frosting and chocolate drizzle.
- Use parchment paper over the baking dish edges to lift bars out easily for cleaner cuts.
- Store leftover bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approximately)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
