Print

Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 87 reviews

Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful treat combining a rich blondie base studded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks, topped with a creamy white chocolate and cream cheese frosting enhanced with tart cranberries. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a special dessert, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Blondie Layer

  • ¾ cup (1½ sticks) salted butter, cubed
  • 1½ cups packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2¼ cups all purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 6 ounces white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped

Frosting

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 6 ounces white baking chocolate, melted
  • ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare a 13×9-inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare the Blondie Batter: In a medium bowl, melt the cubed butter in the microwave for about one minute. Stir in the light brown sugar until combined. Transfer this butter and sugar mixture into a larger bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature. Using an electric mixer, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture, mixing well as you go. The batter will be thick. Fold in the dried cranberries and coarsely chopped white baking chocolate until evenly distributed.
  4. Bake the Blondie Base: Spread the blondie batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 21 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking to keep the blondies moist. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
  5. Prepare the Frosting: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the room temperature cream cheese and sifted powdered sugar until smooth and well combined. Gradually add half of the melted white baking chocolate into the mixture, beating continuously until fully blended.
  6. Frost and Decorate: Once the blondie base has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries over the frosting and drizzle the remaining melted white chocolate in a decorative pattern. For serving, cut into 30 bars, either square or triangle shaped.
  7. Storage: Store the finished bars in the refrigerator until ready to serve to maintain freshness and the perfect texture.

Notes

  • Make sure the blondie base is completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting and sliding of the frosting.
  • You can substitute dried cherries for cranberries for a different but equally delicious flavor.
  • If white baking chocolate is not available, white chocolate chips can be used as an alternative.
  • These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • For easier cutting, chill the bars slightly before slicing.

Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, blondie bars, white chocolate bars, cream cheese frosting, holiday dessert, cranberry dessert

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