Cranberry Bliss Bars with Orange Frosting (Printer-friendly)

Buttery cranberry bars with zesty orange cream cheese frosting and white chocolate drizzle

# Ingredient 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3-5 minutes.
03 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly 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 without overmixing.
06 - Using a spatula, fold in chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
07 - Transfer batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
08 - Bake for 25-30 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 a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - While bars cool, beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Mix in orange zest and orange juice until creamy and spreadable.
11 - Once bars are completely cooled, spread frosting evenly over the surface.
12 - Sprinkle with additional chopped dried cranberries if desired. Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top using a spoon or piping bag.
13 - Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The orange cream cheese frosting adds a citrusy brightness that keeps these bars from feeling too heavy or one note.
  • They slice cleanly and stack beautifully, making them ideal for cookie swaps or holiday platters.
  • The batter comes together in one bowl with no fussy steps, so you can have them in the oven in under twenty minutes.
  • They actually taste better the next day once the flavors settle and mingle in the fridge.
02 -
  • Do not skip the cooling step, I once frosted warm bars and ended up with a puddle of orange flavored cream cheese soup.
  • Chop the cranberries smaller than you think you need to, whole ones create tough, chewy pockets that throw off the texture.
  • Use parchment paper with overhang, trying to cut bars in the pan is messy and you will lose half the frosting.
  • Let the bars sit in the fridge overnight if you can, the flavors deepen and the texture becomes even more luxurious.
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients blend faster and more evenly, so pull your butter, eggs, and cream cheese out of the fridge an hour before you start.
  • Melt white chocolate in short bursts in the microwave and stir constantly, it seizes and clumps if it gets too hot.
  • Use a bench scraper or large chef knife to cut clean squares, and wipe the blade after every slice for professional looking edges.
  • If your frosting is too thick to spread, add orange juice a teaspoon at a time until it loosens up.
Go Back