Name: Cranberry Bliss Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 22
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed; 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2teaspoons baking powder; 1/2teaspoon salt; 1 cup white chocolate chips or chunks; 3/4 cup dried cranberries; 2 tablespoons orange zest; Cream Cheese Frosting; 2/3 cup cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons milk or cream, or more for a smooth spreading consistency; Optional: 1 teaspoon orange zest,; Garnish: cream cheese frosting, dust with powdered sugar, or sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixed with a light drizzle of icing

These Cranberry Bliss Bars are the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy, everything you want in a holiday-style dessert, and delicious enough to want to make all year round.

With a soft blondie-style base, bursts of dried cranberries, melty white chocolate, and a luscious cream cheese frosting, these bars are always a show-stopper.

Whether you’re baking for a party, gifting homemade treats, or just craving something special, this recipe delivers big flavor with simple ingredients.

If you're a fan of spice cakes and cookies, you may also want to try my Spanish Bar Cake recipe, Pumpkin Spice Bars, and my Brown Butter Cinnamon Cookies. They are all loaded with fall flavors.

cranberry white chocolate pistachio bliss bars

bars with white chocolate, cream cheese icing and cranberries

Why You Will Love This Recipe for Cranberry Bliss Bars

Soft, chewy bars with rich white chocolate flavor
Tart cranberries balance the sweetness perfectly
Easy one-bowl bar base, no mixer needed
Perfect for holidays, bake sales, or food gifts
Can be made ahead and sliced beautifully
Tastes just like (or better than) bakery versions

these are spice bars with white cream cheese frosting on top

Garnish Topping Bars Alternatives

1/2 cup pistachios, chopped
more cranberries and fresh mint leaves
pecans or other nuts you prefer
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips instead of white chocolate chips
dark or golden raisins soaked in brandy instead of cranberries
dried fruits of any kind
drizzle with melted white chocolate
sprinkle with extra dried cranberries
add orange zest curls for color and aroma
finish with sliced almonds
cut into triangles instead of bars

this is the batter for cranberry bliss bars

Tips for making the best Cranberry Bliss Bars

Do not overbake; slightly underdone centers keep bars soft
Line the pan with parchment for easy removal
Chill frosted bars before slicing for clean edges
Use high-quality white chocolate for the best flavor
These bars freeze well (unfrosted or frosted)

these are cranberry orange bars with cream cheese frosting on a white porcelain dish

Pin for later

Cranberry Easy Bliss Bar Serving Ideas

During the holiday, this is the perfect bar cake to serve, decorated with colorful themed sugars, sprinkles, raisins, and nuts.

For Christmas fresh mint leaves with pistachios and extra cranberries or just leave plain.

These bars are blissfully delicious!

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bars, bar cookies, cookie recipes, sheet pan cookies, cream cheese frosting

American

Yield: 22

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Cranberry Bliss Bars

These Cranberry Bliss Bars are the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy, everything you want in a holiday-style dessert, and delicious enough to want to make all year round.

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 35 Min

Ingredients

3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2teaspoons baking powder
1/2teaspoon salt
1 cup white chocolate chips or chunks
3/4 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons orange zest
Cream Cheese Frosting
2/3 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk or cream, or more for a smooth spreading consistency
Optional: 1 teaspoon orange zest,
Garnish: cream cheese frosting, dust with powdered sugar, or sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixed with a light drizzle of icing

Instructions

Cranberry Bars Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until creamy and smooth.
Add eggs with the vanilla, then mix until blended.
Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt just until all the white is gone.
Fold in white chocolate, cranberries, and zest.
Spread batter evenly into the prepared parchment-lined pan.
Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, until you see the edges turn lightly golden, and the center is just set.
Cool completely before frosting.
Cream cheese frosting
Beat the ingredients until smooth, and add more or less cream for an easy-flowing consistency.
Either frost the top and garish with suggestions or make a thin icing and drizzle with a fork over the top.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

326

Fat (grams)

14 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

9 g

Carbs (grams)

47 g

Fiber (grams)

1 g

Net carbs

46 g

Sugar (grams)

36 g

Protein (grams)

3 g

Sodium (milligrams)

124 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

49 mg

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