Description
Delight in the festive flavors of these Cranberry Bliss Bars, inspired by the beloved coffeehouse treat. These bars feature a soft, buttery base studded with tart dried cranberries and sweet white chocolate chips, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting enhanced with orange and vanilla extracts, and finished with a drizzle of melted white chocolate and a sprinkle of chopped cranberries. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you crave a luscious, fruity dessert!
Ingredients
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: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and cleanup, and set aside.
- Mix the Bar Batter: In a mixing bowl, beat together the melted unsalted butter and packed light brown sugar until well blended and smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and orange extract, beating until all ingredients are fully combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: To the wet mixture, add the ground ginger, baking powder, kosher salt, and all-purpose flour. Beat just until everything is blended together; avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender. Then gently fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries using a spatula.
- Bake the Bars: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Place in the oven and bake for 22 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool Before Frosting: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. This ensures the frosting won’t melt or slide off.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together for about 3 minutes until creamy and smooth. Add the vanilla extract and orange extract, then beat for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl sides as needed for an even texture.
- Frost the Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries on top for an added burst of flavor and color.
- Add White Chocolate Drizzle: Melt the white chocolate and drizzle it artistically over the frosted bars, giving them a beautiful finishing touch.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the bars for about one hour to set the frosting and allow flavors to meld. Once chilled, slice into 24 squares and enjoy your cranberry bliss bars!
Notes
- Make sure the bars are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Use parchment paper to line the baking dish for easy removal and cleanup.
- You can substitute dried cranberries with fresh if desired, but dried maintain better texture in bars.
- For an extra burst of citrus, add a teaspoon of orange zest to the batter or frosting.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
