Introduction

Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delicious twist on classic blondies, featuring a tangy cream cheese frosting, tart dried cranberries, and a drizzle of white chocolate. These festive bars are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet treat any time of year.

The image shows several triangular dessert bars arranged closely together on a white marbled surface. Each bar has two visible layers: a bottom layer that looks soft and light-colored, and a thick top layer of creamy white icing. The icing is decorated with small pieces of dark red dried fruit scattered evenly across the surface, and thin drizzles of white chocolate crisscrossing in a decorative pattern on top. The texture of the bars looks smooth with a slight shine on the icing, and crumbs are visible on some edges. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup melted unsalted butter
1 ¼ packed cup brown sugar (light or dark, 250 grams)
½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
2 large eggs (at room temperature)
1 large egg yolk (at room temperature)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (285 grams)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
½ teaspoon fresh baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup roughly chopped dried cranberries
½ cup unsalted butter (at room temperature, for frosting)
1 8-ounce block full-fat cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
3 cups powdered sugar (up to 4 cups if needed)
½ cup roughly chopped dried cranberries (for topping)
½ cup white chocolate chips (or ½ cup chopped white chocolate bark)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, folding the excess parchment over the sides for easy removal.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine 1 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 ¼ packed cup brown sugar, and ½ cup granulated sugar. Mix until combined.
Step 3: Add 2 large eggs, 1 large egg yolk, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the bowl. Mix until fully incorporated, then set aside.
Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on medium speed until fully combined.
Step 6: Gently fold in ½ cup roughly chopped dried cranberries until just incorporated.
Step 7: Spread the blondie batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for about 20 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few crumbs.
Step 8: Remove the pan from the oven and let the blondie layer cool completely.
Step 9: For the frosting, beat together ½ cup unsalted butter and 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese until fluffy.
Step 10: Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest to the frosting, mixing until combined.
Step 11: Gradually add powdered sugar in ¼-cup increments, mixing after each addition until the frosting is thick but spreadable. Use between 3 to 4 cups as needed.
Step 12: Carefully lift the cooled blondie layer from the pan using the parchment handles and place it on a flat surface.
Step 13: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the blondie layer.
Step 14: Scatter ½ cup roughly chopped dried cranberries over the frosting, gently pressing to help them stick.
Step 15: Melt ½ cup white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each until smooth.
Step 16: Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the frosting and cranberries using a fork or whisk.
Step 17: Let the chocolate set for about 5 minutes until firm.
Step 18: Slice the bars into 4 rows of 3 squares. Then slice each square diagonally in half to make 2 triangular bars per square.
Step 19: Serve and enjoy your cranberry bliss bars!

Tips & Variations

Use fresh orange zest for a bright flavor boost in the frosting.
For extra chewiness, soak dried cranberries in orange juice for 10 minutes before adding to the batter.
Swap white chocolate chips for dark chocolate if you prefer a richer contrast.
If you don’t have all-purpose flour, you can try a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.

Storage

Store cranberry bliss bars covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture. You can also freeze the bars, wrapped tightly, for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

How to Serve

The image shows multiple triangular slices of a bar dessert arranged on a white marbled surface. Each slice has two visible layers: the bottom layer is thick, light brown with small dark bits inside, and the top layer is a creamy white frosting. On the frosting, there are scattered small red pieces which look like dried fruit, likely cranberries, and thin drizzles of white drizzle are spread evenly on top, adding texture and decoration. The slices are close to each other but not overlapping, creating a neat presentation. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes! Cranberry Bliss Bars keep well in the fridge for several days and flavors often improve after resting overnight. They are perfect for prepping a day ahead of serving.

Can I substitute dried cranberries with fresh ones?

Fresh cranberries are quite tart and watery, which can affect the texture. It’s best to stick with dried cranberries for this recipe to maintain the right balance of flavor and moisture.