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Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 78 reviews

Delight in these luscious Cranberry Bliss Bars, featuring a buttery, tender blondie base studded with dried cranberries and white chocolate, topped with a creamy orange-infused cream cheese frosting, dried cranberries, and a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Perfect as a festive treat or anytime sweet snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Blondie Base

  • 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour (7.5oz, 213g)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder (3g)
  • ½ teaspoon table salt (3g)
  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (6oz, 170g)
  • 1½ cups packed light brown sugar (10.5 oz, 298g)
  • 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (3g)
  • ¾ cup dried cranberries (loosely packed, 3.5oz, 100g)
  • 1⅓ cups white chocolate (chopped or white chocolate chips, 8oz, 227g)

Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened, 227g)
  • 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted, 6oz, 170g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (3g)

Topping

  • ½ cup dried cranberries (roughly chopped, loosely packed, 2.3oz, 65g)
  • ⅔ cup white chocolate (melted, 4oz, 113g)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Oven and Pan: Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray and line it with parchment paper trimmed to length with extra overhang on both sides for easy removal. Spray the parchment again.
  2. Brown the Butter: Melt butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously as it foams and bubbles, pushing foam aside to observe milk solids turning golden brown. Remove promptly from heat and transfer to a bowl to cool.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.
  4. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another medium bowl, mix the cooled browned butter and brown sugar until blended. Add the lightly beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest, mixing well.
  5. Fold Dry Into Wet: Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined to avoid overmixing. Then fold in the chopped white chocolate and dried cranberries.
  6. Bake Blondie: Transfer batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top evenly. Bake 18 to 22 minutes until edges are golden and top is set but not overbaked.
  7. Cool Base: Remove from oven and cool on wire rack to room temperature.
  8. Prepare Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and orange zest. Beat with an electric mixer or whisk until fluffy and smooth.
  9. Frost Blondie: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled blondie base.
  10. Add Toppings: Sprinkle the roughly chopped dried cranberries over the frosting.
  11. Drizzle White Chocolate: Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the frosted bars and cranberries for decoration.
  12. Chill: Refrigerate the bars until the frosting is firm to allow for neat cutting.
  13. Slice and Serve: Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and cut them into triangles.
  14. Store Properly: Keep the bars in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • To brown butter correctly, ensure stirring is continuous to avoid burning.
  • Use light-colored pan to easily monitor browning of butter.
  • Be careful not to overbake the blondie; the top should be set but moist underneath.
  • Allow frosting to firm up in refrigerator before slicing to maintain clean edges.
  • These bars can be doubled in batch size with a larger baking pan.

Keywords: Cranberry Bliss Bars, blondies, white chocolate bars, cream cheese frosting, holiday desserts, cranberry desserts, orange zest blondies

Find it online: https://platedbyemma.com/cranberry-bliss-bars-recipe/