Cranberry Bliss Bars

There’s something incredibly comforting about baking, especially when it involves the delightful Cranberry Bliss Bars. I can still remember the first time I savored a piece of this luscious treat at a cozy café during the holiday season. The blend of sweet and tangy cranberries, rich white chocolate, and the warmth of spices brought a smile to my face. With each bite, I was transported to a world of festive joy, making it hard to resist reaching for another piece!

What’s In This Cranberry Bliss Bars

The ingredients in Cranberry Bliss Bars are a harmonious blend that work together to create a delicious treat. Each element contributes to the overall flavor and texture, making this a must-bake recipe!

• 1 cup unsalted butter – This adds richness and moisture to the bars, helping them stay soft and delicious.
• 1 cup brown sugar – The brown sugar brings a deep sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.
• Zest of one orange – This brightens up the flavors with a refreshing citrus note.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – A must-have for adding a warm, aromatic flavor.
• 3 large eggs – They help bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the bars.
• 1 ½ cups flour – Essential for the base, giving the bars their body and texture.
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt – A pinch of salt enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice – This adds a warm spice blend that complements the cranberries beautifully.
• ½ cup minced dried cranberries – These provide little bursts of tartness in each bite.
• ½ cup white chocolate chips – Sweet and creamy, they make the bars indulgent.
• 8 ounces cream cheese – Essential for the frosting, giving it a rich, creamy texture.
• 2 cups powdered sugar – This sweetens and thickens the frosting perfectly.
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter – Adds another layer of richness to the frosting.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – For flavoring the frosting.
• Zest of one orange – Adds a lovely citrus note to the frosting.
• dried cranberries – For garnish, making the bars visually appealing.
• chopped pistachios – A crunchy garnish that adds a pop of color.
• white chocolate shavings – For an elegant finishing touch.

Cooking Instructions for Cranberry Bliss Bars

Making Cranberry Bliss Bars is a delightful experience. Each step brings you closer to a delicious treat that fills your home with a wonderful aroma. Let’s dive into the instructions!

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. This step is crucial as it ensures that the bars bake evenly. While the oven heats, prepare your baking pan.
2. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper. This will prevent the bars from sticking and make it easier to lift them out later.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This process should take about 3 minutes, and it’s key to achieving a airy texture in your bars.
4. Once the mixture is light, add in the eggs, orange zest, and vanilla extract; continue mixing until everything is well combined.
5. Sift the flour, kosher salt, and pumpkin pie spice together in a separate bowl. This step helps to aerate the dry ingredients and ensures there are no lumps.
6. Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter/sugar mixture, beating well to combine. The batter will be thick, which is perfect for these bars.
7. Now, gently fold in the minced dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Be careful not to overmix; you want to keep the batter fluffy.
8. Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Make sure to smooth the top, so the bars bake evenly.
9. Bake in your preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan.
11. While the cake cools, prepare the frosting by mixing together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth and creamy.
12. When the cake is cool, spread the frosting generously over the top. This creamy layer is what makes the bars truly indulgent.
13. Finally, garnish with dried cranberries, chopped pistachios, and white chocolate shavings for an elegant finish. Cut into wedges to serve, and enjoy!

Helpful Notes about Cranberry Bliss Bars

Here are some helpful tips for making the best Cranberry Bliss Bars:

• Storage: Keep your bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, store them in the fridge.
• Freezing: Yes, you can freeze these bars! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before placing them in the freezer. They can last up to 3 months.
• Pairing: These bars pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea, making them a perfect afternoon snack.
• Variations: Feel free to experiment with the ingredients. You can add nuts or swap white chocolate for dark chocolate if you prefer.
• Decoration: For a festive look, use edible glitter or sprinkles along with the cranberries and pistachios on top.

Serving Options for Cranberry Bliss Bars

When it comes to serving Cranberry Bliss Bars, there are so many delightful options! Here are some ideas:

• Coffee Break: Serve these bars alongside coffee during your morning or afternoon break. The combination is heavenly.
• Holiday Parties: These bars are perfect for holiday gatherings, offering a sweet touch to your dessert spread.
• Picnics: They make excellent picnic snacks; pack them in a container for easy transport.
• Gift Giving: Consider wrapping them nicely as a homemade gift for friends and family during the festive season.
• Lunchbox Treat: Slip a wedge into your child’s lunchbox for a sweet surprise they’ll love!

FAQ

Conclusion

The beauty of Cranberry Bliss Bars lies in their delightful combination of flavors and textures. Each bite is a perfect blend of sweetness and tartness, making them an irresistible treat. I encourage you to try making these bars; they are bound to bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to everyone who tastes them. Happy baking!

Cranberry Bliss Bars

The ultimate holiday treat, Cranberry Bliss Bars combine sweet white chocolate with tart cranberries and a hint of orange zest. These delicious bars are perfect for sharing at festive gatherings or enjoying on a cozy afternoon. Indulge in their creamy frosting and delightful texture tonight!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 15 servings

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Calories: 240

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup brown sugar packed
• 1 whole orange Zest of one
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
• 3 large eggs
• 1.5 cups flour
• 0.25 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 0.5 cup minced dried cranberries
• 0.5 cup white chocolate chips
• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
• 1 whole orange Zest of one
• 1 whole dried cranberries
• 1 whole chopped pistachios
• 1 whole white chocolate shavings

Equipment

• Pre-Cut Parchment Paper
• Baking Sheets
• Nordic Ware Metal 9x13 Covered Cake Pan

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. This step is crucial as it ensures that the bars bake evenly. While the oven heats, prepare your baking pan.
2. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper. This will prevent the bars from sticking and make it easier to lift them out later.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This process should take about 3 minutes, and it’s key to achieving a airy texture in your bars.
4. Once the mixture is light, add in the eggs, orange zest, and vanilla extract; continue mixing until everything is well combined.
5. Sift the flour, kosher salt, and pumpkin pie spice together in a separate bowl. This step helps to aerate the dry ingredients and ensures there are no lumps.
6. Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter/sugar mixture, beating well to combine. The batter will be thick, which is perfect for these bars.
7. Now, gently fold in the minced dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Be careful not to overmix; you want to keep the batter fluffy.
8. Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Make sure to smooth the top, so the bars bake evenly.
9. Bake in your preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan.
11. While the cake cools, prepare the frosting by mixing together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth and creamy.
12. When the cake is cool, spread the frosting generously over the top. This creamy layer is what makes the bars truly indulgent.
13. Finally, garnish with dried cranberries, chopped pistachios, and white chocolate shavings for an elegant finish. Cut into wedges to serve, and enjoy!

Notes

• Tip 1: Store the bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
• Tip 2: You can freeze these bars wrapped tightly for up to 3 months.
• Tip 3: Serve these bars with coffee or tea for a delightful pairing.
• Tip 4: Feel free to add nuts or swap the chocolate types to your liking.
• Tip 5: For a festive touch, consider adding edible glitter on top.

Previous PostFreezer Peach Jam

Next Post No Bake Chocolate Chip Protein Bars

Meet Carmen Rhoades

Precision is key to a perfect feast, and I apply that rigor to everything I do here. I am deeply involved in measuring, timing, and refining the techniques behind our recipes. I have cooked this dish multiple times, troubleshooting every step so that your experience in the kitchen is seamless and successful.