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Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe with brown sugar, vanilla, cranberries, and creamy frosting. A bakery-style treat made simple.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
cooking time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
  • Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Zester or fine grater (for orange zest)
  • Knife for slicing

Ingredients
  

For the Blondie Base

  • 1 cup 226g unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 ½ cups 300g light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
  • 2 cups 250g all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup 130g dried cranberries, chopped
  • ¾ cup 130g white chocolate chunks

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz 226g cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup 113g unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups 240g powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping

  • ¼ cup dried cranberries finely chopped
  • ½ cup white chocolate melted

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides.
  • Lightly grease the paper. This helps the bars release cleanly.

Step 2: Make the Blondie Batter

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and glossy. The mixture should look thick and shiny.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and fresh orange zest.
  • In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix gently until just combined.
  • Now fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks. The batter will be thick. That’s exactly what you want.

Step 3: Bake

  • Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top.
  • Bake for 18–22 minutes. The edges should look lightly golden, and the center should be set but still soft.
  • Do not overbake. This is very important. Overbaking will make the bars dry instead of soft and chewy.
  • Let the base cool completely before frosting. I know it’s hard to wait, but patience pays off here.

Step 4: Make the Frosting

  • In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
  • Add powdered sugar gradually, mixing on low speed at first to avoid a sugar cloud in your kitchen.
  • Stir in vanilla extract. Beat until creamy and spreadable.
  • Taste it. If you’re like me, you’ll sneak just a little spoonful. It’s irresistible.

Step 5: Frost and Decorate

  • Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
  • Sprinkle chopped dried cranberries on top.
  • Drizzle melted white chocolate in thin lines across the surface. I use a spoon or a small piping bag for better control.
  • Let the chocolate set before slicing. You can refrigerate the pan for 20–30 minutes to speed this up.
Keyword Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe