Name: Cranberry Bliss Bars
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 1½ cups brown sugar, packed; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tbsp orange zest; 2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1 cup all-purpose + 1 cup cake flour); 1½ tsp ground cinnamon; ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; ¾ cup dried cranberries; ¾ cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; ½ tsp vanilla extract; Optional: 1–2 tsp orange juice or zest; ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped (for garnish); ½ cup white chocolate chips, melted (for drizzle)

Description

Soft, chewy, blondie-like bars packed with tart cranberries and creamy white chocolate, topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, more cranberries, and a white chocolate drizzle. The ultimate holiday treat—easy to make, impossible to resist.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Bars:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp orange zest
2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1 cup all-purpose + 1 cup cake flour)
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¾ cup dried cranberries
¾ cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate

For the Frosting & Topping:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
Optional: 1–2 tsp orange juice or zest
½ cup dried cranberries, chopped (for garnish)
½ cup white chocolate chips, melted (for drizzle)

Instructions

Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
Cream Butter & Sugar: Beat butter and brown sugar on medium-high for 2–3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
Add Eggs & Flavorings: Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla and orange zest.
Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in dried cranberries and white chocolate.
Bake: Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 22–25 minutes, edges lightly golden and center set. Let cool completely.
Prepare Frosting: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and optional orange. Beat until creamy and lump-free.
Frost & Garnish: Spread frosting over cooled bars. Sprinkle with chopped cranberries and drizzle melted white chocolate.
Chill & Slice: Chill at least 1 hour for clean slicing. Cut into squares or triangles using a sharp knife.

Notes

Chewy Texture: Avoid overmixing after adding flour.
Crisp Drizzle: Ensure bowls and utensils are completely dry when melting white chocolate.
Storage: Refrigerate up to 1 week. Freeze unfrosted bars up to 3 months; frost after thawing for best results.

Nutrition

Calories: 280 cal Per bar
Sugar: 26 g
Fat: 14 g
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Protein: 3g