Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

If you adore the sweet-tart combination of cranberries with creamy, dreamy frosting, you are going to fall head over heels for this Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe. These bars bring together chewy dried cranberries, luscious white chocolate chips, and a soft, buttery base, all topped with a rich cream cheese frosting that is simply irresistible. Perfect for holiday celebrations, cozy afternoons, or anytime you crave something joyfully festive and comforting, these bars are a delightful twist on a classic treat that will quickly become one of your favorites.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering just the right ingredients is what makes this Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe shine. Each one plays a crucial role in building the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color you’ll love with every bite.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour: Forms the soft, tender base of the bars, giving them structure without heaviness.
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Adds a subtle lift to keep the bars light and fluffy.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Brings a rich, creamy texture that melts in your mouth.
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed: Adds moistness and a deep caramel flavor that pairs perfectly with cranberries.
• 1 large egg: Binds everything together, providing essential moisture and stability.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, fragrant sweetness that ties all the flavors together.
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped: The star ingredient, giving bursts of tartness and delightful chewy texture.
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips: Melts into pockets of creamy sweetness throughout the bars.
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened: For the frosting, adding tangy creaminess that cuts through the sweetness.
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened: Creams with the cream cheese to create a smooth, luxurious frosting.
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to the perfect consistency.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds flavor depth to the frosting, complementing the bars perfectly.
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped (for garnish): Gives a lovely pop of color and extra tartness on top.

How to Make Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, making sure to leave some overhang on the sides. This simple step ensures that your bars won’t stick and will be super easy to lift out once baked. Parchment is your best friend here for hassle-free removal!

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. These dry ingredients form the backbone of the bars, so combining them well here ensures even distribution throughout your batter for perfect texture.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and packed brown sugar together on medium speed until the mixture turns light and fluffy—this takes about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is crucial because creaming the butter and sugar traps air, giving your bars a tender crumb and slight lift.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. This adds moisture and flavor, helping bind the ingredients and ensuring each bite has a lovely vanilla aroma.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to your wet mix, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix here, as that could make the bars tougher; you want to keep them soft and chewy.

Step 6: Fold in Cranberries and White Chocolate

Gently fold the chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips into the batter with a spatula. This keeps the fruit and chocolate evenly spread without breaking them down, so each bar bursts with flavor and sweet pockets of melted chocolate.

Step 7: Bake the Bars

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean. The bars will look soft but will set as they cool.

Step 8: Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting

While the bars bake, whip together softened cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until you have a fluffy, spreadable frosting that’s the perfect counterbalance to the tart cranberries.

Step 9: Cool and Frost

Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Patience here pays off because warm bars will melt the frosting! Once cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the bars.

Step 10: Garnish and Serve

Finish by sprinkling the remaining chopped dried cranberries on top of the frosting. This final touch not only adds a beautiful splash of color but also boosts the cranberry tartness for every delicious bite.

How to Serve Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Garnishes

Enhance these bars by adding a few festive garnishes like a light dusting of powdered sugar or even a drizzle of melted white chocolate. The contrast in textures and visual appeal makes them perfect for holiday tables or gifting.

Side Dishes

Pair your Cranberry Bliss Bars with a hot cup of spiced tea, fresh brewed coffee, or a glass of cold milk. Their comforting sweetness complements warm beverages wonderfully, making for a delightful snack or dessert combo.

Creative Ways to Present

Try cutting the bars into bite-sized squares for easy finger food at parties, or layer them individually wrapped for gift baskets. You can also create a dessert tray by pairing these bars with other festive treats for a show-stopping spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover bars fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to extend their life, refrigerate them, but bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting or after frosting to maintain that creamy topping.

Reheating

If you prefer your bars warm, gently reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. This softens the bars and slightly melts the frosting, creating a gooey, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried in this recipe?

Fresh cranberries are quite tart and contain a lot of moisture, which could affect the texture of the bars. Dried cranberries work best by adding chewy sweetness without altering the batter’s consistency.

Is it possible to make these bars gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that can be swapped cup-for-cup. Just be sure the blend contains xanthan gum or another binder to help maintain the texture.

What can I use instead of cream cheese for the frosting?

If you want a different flavor or need a dairy-free option, you can try mascarpone for a similar tangy richness, or a vegan cream cheese alternative for a dairy-free version. Adjust sweetness to taste.

How long do Cranberry Bliss Bars last once frosted?

Once frosted, keep the bars refrigerated and consume them within 3 to 4 days for optimal freshness and flavor. The cream cheese frosting does require refrigeration to stay fresh.

Can I make the bars without white chocolate chips?

Yes! You can omit white chocolate chips or swap them for dark chocolate chunks or even nuts for different textures and flavors. Each variation brings a delightful twist to the classic Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe.

Final Thoughts

These Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe capture the magic of festive flavors in every bite with their tender base, a perfect blend of sweet and tart, and that luscious cream cheese frosting on top. I can’t recommend these bars enough for your next holiday gathering or cozy treat time. Give them a try—you’re going to love how simple ingredients come together to create such a lovingly indulgent treat!

Print