Print

Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 105 reviews

Delight in these festive Cranberry Bliss Bars featuring a buttery blondie base studded with dried cranberries, topped with a luscious orange-cream cheese frosting and finished with a drizzle of melted white chocolate and extra cranberries for a perfect holiday treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Blondie Layer

  • 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

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
  • 1 8-ounce block full-fat cream cheese (at room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
  • 3 cups powdered sugar (up to 4 cups if needed)

Topping

  • ½ cup roughly chopped dried cranberries
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips (or ½ cup chopped white chocolate bark)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Blondie Layer: Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the excess to fold over the sides for easy removal later.
  2. Mix Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer to blend until well combined.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs, egg yolk, and pure vanilla extract into the sugar mixture. Continue mixing until fully combined and smooth. Set this wet mixture aside.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, fresh baking powder, and kosher salt until evenly blended.
  5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in small increments, mixing on medium speed to combine everything thoroughly.
  6. Fold in Cranberries: Gently fold the roughly chopped dried cranberries into the blondie batter using a silicone spatula until just incorporated.
  7. Bake Blondie Layer: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick or knife; when it comes out clean or with few crumbs, the blondie is ready. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
  8. Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the softened unsalted butter and cream cheese together with a mixer until fluffy and combined. Add vanilla extract and fresh orange zest, mixing until incorporated.
  9. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add powdered sugar in ¼-cup increments, mixing between additions until the frosting is thick but spreadable.
  10. Frost the Blondie: Using the parchment paper handles, lift the cooled blondie layer from the pan and set it on a flat surface. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
  11. Add Cranberry Topping: Scatter the chopped dried cranberries evenly across the frosting, gently pressing them in to ensure they stick.
  12. Melt White Chocolate: Place white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and melted. Avoid overheating.
  13. Drizzle White Chocolate: Use a fork or whisk to drizzle melted white chocolate over the top of the frosting and cranberries.
  14. Set the Chocolate: Let the bars sit for about 5 minutes until the white chocolate drizzle has hardened.
  15. Slice and Serve: Cut bars into 4 rows by 3 columns, then slice each square diagonally to create triangular bars. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Ensure eggs are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
  • Use parchment paper with excess edges for easy removal of the blondie slab.
  • Adjust powdered sugar in frosting to achieve preferred thickness.
  • Be careful not to overheat white chocolate when melting to prevent burning.
  • These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, holiday dessert, blondies, cream cheese frosting, white chocolate drizzle, dried cranberries, festive bars

Find it online: https://leofoster.com/cranberry-bliss-bars-recipe/