Cranberry Bliss Bars with Orange Frosting (Printable version)

Buttery cranberry bars topped with zesty orange cream cheese frosting and white chocolate drizzle—perfect for holiday gatherings.

# Ingredients list:

→ Bar Base

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup packed brown sugar
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 3 large eggs
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
11 - 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

→ Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

12 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
13 - 1 cup powdered sugar
14 - 1 tablespoon orange zest
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

→ Topping

16 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
17 - 1/3 cup white chocolate, melted

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
03 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract until fully combined.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
06 - Fold in chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips using a spatula until evenly distributed.
07 - Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top surface.
08 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and edges are golden brown.
09 - Allow bars to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift out using parchment overhang and transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
10 - In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Mix in orange zest and orange juice until creamy and spreadable.
11 - Once completely cool, spread frosting evenly over the bars.
12 - Sprinkle with additional chopped dried cranberries if desired. Drizzle melted white chocolate over top using a spoon or piping bag.
13 - Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The orange cream cheese frosting turns an ordinary blondie into something you actually crave weeks later.
  • Theyre sturdy enough to stack in a tin and mail across the country without turning into a crumbly mess.
  • You get that coffee shop treat vibe without spending five dollars per square or waiting in line.
  • The white chocolate drizzle makes them look fancy even if you did it in your pajamas at ten at night.
02 -
  • Let the bars cool completely before frosting or the cream cheese will melt into a puddle and slide right off.
  • Chop the dried cranberries smaller than you think you should, big chunks can make slicing messy and uneven.
  • Use fresh orange zest and juice, the bottled stuff tastes dull and artificial next to the real thing.
03 -
  • Melt your white chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between each interval so it doesnt seize or scorch.
  • Line your pan with enough parchment overhang to grab easily, it makes cutting and serving so much cleaner.
  • If your frosting is too thick, add orange juice a teaspoon at a time until it spreads smoothly without tearing the bars.
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