Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe: 5 Simple Steps for Delicious Bars

Table of Contents

• 1. Why This Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe is a Must-Try
• 2. Gather Your Ingredients for Cranberry Bliss Bars
• 3. How to Make This Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe: 5 Simple Steps
• 4. Tips and Tricks for Perfect Cranberry Bliss Bars Every Time
• 5. Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips

Craving a truly festive and delicious treat that tastes just like the famous coffee shop version? Look no further! This homemade Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe is your ticket to a chewy, sweet, and tangy dessert that will dazzle your friends and family. It’s the perfect copycat recipe that brings bakery-quality goodness right into your kitchen.

These bars are packed with white chocolate chips, tart dried cranberries, and a hint of ginger, all sitting on a decadent blondie base. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting and an extra sprinkle of cranberries, they are simply irresistible. Let’s get baking!

1. Why This Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe is a Must-Try

You are going to fall in love with this recipe, and here’s why. First, it’s incredibly easy to follow. We’ve broken it down into five simple steps that even beginner bakers can master with confidence. Forget complicated techniques; this is straightforward baking at its best.

Second, the flavor is out of this world! The combination of sweet white chocolate, tangy cranberries, and a rich, buttery blondie base is perfectly balanced. The zesty orange and ginger notes in the cream cheese frosting elevate these Cranberry Bliss Bars from a simple treat to a gourmet experience. They are the ultimate easy dessert recipe for any occasion, especially for holiday baking.

2. Gather Your Ingredients for Cranberry Bliss Bars

The best treats start with great ingredients. Before you begin, gather everything you’ll need. Using room temperature butter and eggs is key for a smooth, well-combined batter.

For the Bars:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¼ cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• ¾ cup dried cranberries, chopped

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 orange)
• Topping: ¼ cup dried cranberries, chopped, and 2 oz white chocolate for drizzling

3. How to Make This Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe: 5 Simple Steps

Ready to create some magic? Follow these five steps to bake the most delicious cranberry bars you’ve ever tasted. Let’s dive in!

1. Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan and Dry Ingredients

   First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground ginger. Set this aside for now.

2. Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar, Then Combine with Dry Ingredients

   In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This process, known as creaming, incorporates air into the batter, which is essential for texture. For a deep dive into this technique, King Arthur Baking has a fantastic guide. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and chopped dried cranberries.

3. Step 3: Bake the Cranberry Bliss Bars to Golden Perfection

   Spread the batter evenly into your prepared baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let the blondie base cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is a crucial step—frosting warm bars will result in a runny mess!

4. Step 4: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

   While the bars cool, prepare the dreamy frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract and fresh orange zest. The zest adds a bright, citrusy note that perfectly complements the cranberries.

5. Step 5: Frost, Sprinkle, and Slice!

   Once the bars are completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle the remaining chopped dried cranberries over the frosting. For the signature drizzle, melt the 2 oz of white chocolate in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Drizzle it over the bars. Refrigerate the bars for at least 30 minutes to set the frosting. Once set, lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang, cut them into triangles, and serve your amazing Cranberry Bliss Bars!

4. Tips and Tricks for Perfect Cranberry Bliss Bars Every Time

Want to ensure your bars are flawless? Here are a few professional tips to guarantee success with this Cranberry Bliss Bars recipe.

• Don’t Overbake: The key to a chewy blondie is to pull it from the oven when the center is just set. A few moist crumbs on a toothpick are perfect! Overbaking will make them dry and crumbly.
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the smoothest batter and frosting, make sure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature. This helps them incorporate seamlessly.
• Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Using parchment paper with an overhang not only prevents sticking but makes it incredibly easy to lift the entire block out for clean, perfect cuts.
• Chill Before Slicing: Chilling the frosted bars in the refrigerator is essential. It helps the frosting set, ensuring you can make clean, sharp cuts without smearing. This is a game-changer for presentation.

5. Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips

These Cranberry Bliss Bars are a star on their own, but they pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. They are a perfect addition to any dessert platter and make for a wonderful homemade gift during the holidays. See others recipes here for more festive ideas!

To store, place the sliced bars in an airtight container in a single layer. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the unfrosted blondie base. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and it will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting and serving.

Foire Aux Questions

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of dried?

It’s best to stick with dried cranberries for this recipe. Frozen cranberries will release a lot of moisture as they bake, which can make the blondie base soggy and affect the overall texture. Dried cranberries provide that perfect chewy, tangy bite without adding excess water to the batter.

How can I make clean cuts for the classic triangle shape?

For bakery-perfect triangles, the key is to chill the bars thoroughly after frosting. Once the frosting is firm, use a large, sharp knife. For the cleanest slices, wipe the knife clean with a damp, warm cloth between each cut. First, cut the bars into 12 squares, then cut each square diagonally to create 24 triangles.

Can I make this Cranberry Bliss Bars recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Look for a blend that contains xanthan gum to ensure the bars hold together well. The baking time and other ingredients should remain the same. The texture will be slightly different but still incredibly delicious.