Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love these bars because they deliver so much flavor and texture in every bite. The blondie base is dense yet tender, studded with bursts of cranberry and white chocolate. The cream cheese frosting brings tang and richness, while the white chocolate drizzle and extra cranberries give a beautiful finishing touch. They’re festive, crowd-friendly, and make great gifts or dessert for special occasions.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Blondie base

• Butter (melted)
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Orange extract or orange zest
• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch (optional, for softness)
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Ground ginger (optional, for warmth)
• White chocolate chips
• Dried cranberries (Craisins or similar)

Frosting & topping

• Cream cheese (softened)
• Powdered (confectioners’) sugar
• Orange extract or orange zest
• Vanilla extract
• Dried cranberries (chopped)
• White chocolate (for melting and drizzling)

Directions

1. Preheat and prepare pan
   Preheat your oven to 350 °F (about 175–180 °C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan (or similar size) with parchment paper, leaving overhangs so you can lift the bars out later.
2. Mix wet ingredients
   In a bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar, stirring until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract and orange extract (or zest).
3. Combine dry ingredients
   In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch (if using), baking powder, salt, and ground ginger (if using).
4. Make the blondie batter
   Gradually add the dry mix into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. The batter will be thick.
5. Bake the bars
   Spread or press the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for about 18–25 minutes (depending on your oven) until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake—these bars should remain moist in the center.
6. Cool completely
   Let the bars cool entirely in the pan on a wire rack. Cooling fully is key before frosting, or the cream cheese layer may melt.
7. Prepare the frosting
   In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue mixing until creamy. Stir in orange extract (or zest) and vanilla.
8. Frost and top
   Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Sprinkle with chopped dried cranberries. Melt the white chocolate (e.g. in short microwave bursts or over a double boiler) and drizzle it over the top using a fork or piping bag.
9. Set and slice
   Chill the bars (in refrigerator if needed) for the frosting and chocolate drizzle to firm up. Once set, lift the bars from the pan using the parchment overhang and cut into squares or triangles.

Servings and timing

Yields: About 16 to 24 bars (depending on cutting size)
Prep time: 10–15 minutes
Bake time: 18–25 minutes
Cooling & setting time: Around 1 hour or more
Total time: ~1 hour 30 minutes (including cooling & chilling)

Variations

• Less sweet option: Reduce the white chocolate chips or skip the drizzle to tone down sweetness.
• Use orange zest instead of extract: If you don’t have orange extract, using freshly grated orange zest (and a bit of orange juice) adds bright citrus flavor.
• Add nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans can bring a crunchy contrast.
• Swap fruit: Mix in dried cherries, blueberries, or even raisins instead of or in addition to cranberries.
• Gluten-free version: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (ensure it includes xanthan gum or similar binding agent).
• Mini bars: Bake in a smaller pan for thicker bars and adjust bake time slightly.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Keep the bars in an airtight container and refrigerate (due to the cream cheese frosting). They’ll stay good for up to 4–5 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the unfrosted bars or fully frosted bars (wrapped well) for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
• Serving after chilling: Let the bars sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before eating, so the flavors soften and the texture is pleasant.

FAQs

What if I don’t have orange extract?

You can substitute with 1–2 teaspoons of freshly grated orange zest plus a splash of orange juice. It adds natural citrus flavor without needing extract.

Can I skip the white chocolate drizzle?

Yes — the bars are delicious without it. The drizzle is mostly for visual appeal. Leaving it out makes cutting and serving simpler.

Why did my frosting become runny?

If the bars or pan were still warm when frosting was applied, or if too much liquid was added, frosting can melt. Also, using low-fat cream cheese or not enough powdered sugar may affect stability. Chill the bars to help firm them up.

Can I make the bars ahead?

Yes. You can bake them ahead, cool, frost when ready to serve, and store them chilled. They actually taste better after a few hours together.

How do I prevent overbaking?

Watch the bars carefully in the final minutes. Edges should turn golden while the center remains slightly soft. A toothpick test should reveal a few moist crumbs—not a clean dry stick.

Can I cut them into squares instead of triangles?

Absolutely. Many people prefer square bars for easier uniform cutting and serving.

Can I reduce the sugar?

You can try reducing a small amount of sugar or chocolate, but altering the sweetness too much may change texture. The recipe is balanced for both flavor and structure.

How do I melt white chocolate without scorching it?

Use short bursts in the microwave (e.g. 15–20 seconds), stirring in between, or melt over a double boiler with gentle heat. White chocolate burns easily, so watch it closely.

Are these bars good for gift-giving?

Yes, they make elegant gifts during holiday seasons. Wrap them individually or pack them in a decorative box with parchment separators.

Can I add spices to the mix?

Yes — a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even cardamom can complement the cranberry-orange flavor. Use sparingly so as not to overpower the citrus.

Conclusion

Cranberry Bliss Bars are a festive, flavorful treat that combine the tartness of cranberries, the sweetness of white chocolate, and the brightness of orange, all layered in a rich blondie base and creamy frosting. With some planning and chilling time, they’re quite manageable to make at home—and the results are impressive. Whether for holidays, gifts, or indulgent dessert, these bars are sure to bring joy and delight. Enjoy making them!

Cranberry Bliss Bars

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Rich, chewy blondie-style bars packed with dried cranberries and white chocolate, topped with orange-infused cream cheese frosting and a white chocolate drizzle for a festive and indulgent treat.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including cooling and chilling)
• Yield: 16–24 bars
• Category: Dessert, Bars
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp orange extract or 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for softness)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger (optional)
• 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp orange extract or 1 tsp orange zest
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped (for topping)
• 1/4 cup white chocolate, melted (for drizzle)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. In a mixing bowl, stir together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla and orange extract (or zest).
3. In another bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and ginger (if using). Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
4. Fold in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 18–25 minutes, until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely in the pan.
6. For the frosting, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla and orange extract (or zest) until creamy.
7. Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Sprinkle chopped dried cranberries on top.
8. Melt white chocolate gently (microwave or double boiler) and drizzle over the top. Chill until set.
9. Lift bars from the pan, cut into squares or triangles, and serve.

Notes

• Cool bars completely before frosting to prevent melting.
• Use orange zest for natural citrus flavor if extract is unavailable.
• For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend.
• Bars keep best refrigerated and taste even better the next day.
• Perfect for holidays, gifting, or party desserts.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 260
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 45mg