Description
Cranberry Bliss Bars with White Chocolate are delightful, festive treats combining a moist, spiced blondie base loaded with tart dried cranberries and creamy white chocolate chips, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting infused with orange zest and finished with a decorative drizzle of white chocolate and extra cranberries. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a special indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Bar Base
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 & ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 oz white chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
Topping
- ¼ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
- 1 oz white chocolate, melted for drizzle
- Extra orange zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and light brown sugar until smooth and well combined, about 1 minute.
- Add Eggs and Flavors: Whisk in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and orange zest. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon until evenly distributed.
- Fold Dry into Wet: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Then fold in the chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips evenly.
- Spread Batter: Pour and spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the surface with the back of a spatula.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 26 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. The internal temperature should reach 200-202°F.
- Cool Bars: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting Base: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together with an electric mixer for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Frosting Ingredients: Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue beating until smooth. Mix in the vanilla extract, orange zest, salt, and melted white chocolate until fully combined and creamy.
- Frost Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the completely cooled bars.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries on top of the frosting. Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top in a decorative pattern such as crosshatch or zigzag. Optionally, add a sprinkle of fresh orange zest for extra flavor and color.
- Chill: Refrigerate the frosted bars for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set properly before cutting.
- Slice and Serve: Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into 16 equal squares or triangles like the Starbucks style. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the melted butter is slightly cooled before mixing with eggs to prevent curdling.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the bars tender.
- Allow bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation into the batter.
- Store bars refrigerated after frosting for up to 4 days, or freeze unfrosted bars for longer storage.
- Orange zest can be adjusted to taste or substituted with lemon zest for a different citrus note.
