Cranberry Bliss Bar – Savor the flavor of Cranberry Bliss Bars, a fusion of tangy cranberries and luscious white chocolate. This dessert holds a special place, in American cuisine effortlessly blending simplicity and indulgence. Crafted with ingredients like all-purpose flour, cream cheese and dried cranberries this recipe is a delight for any occasion.
I can still vividly recall the first time I baked these Cranberry Bliss Bars. It was a chilly evening. I wanted to surprise my family with something exceptional. Our home was filled with the aroma of baking cranberries and melting chocolate creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. The reaction was priceless – my husband couldn’t stop praising the harmony of flavors while my child’s eyes sparkled with each bite. It instantly became a family favorite!
What makes this Cranberry Bliss Bar truly special?
What sets these Cranberry Bliss Bars apart? Firstly their irresistible combination of cranberries melded with white chocolate creates a symphony of flavors that captivates the palate. Secondly, they are incredibly simple to make requiring ingredients and straightforward instructions. Lastly, their festive appearance makes them ideal for holidays, gatherings, or as a special treat, for your loved ones.
What You Need To Make This Cranberry Bliss Bar Recipe?
All Purpose Flour: This acts as the building block, for our bars, similar to a canvas for an artist. It brings all the components together creating a tender foundation that holds the enchantment of our ingredients.
Dried Cranberries: Picture these as bursts of tanginess to precious gems. Each cranberry imparts a tangy burst that cuts through the sweetness and evokes winter afternoons.
White Chocolate Chips: These little morsels bring pockets of delight in each bite. Their creamy sweetness beautifully blends with the cranberries resulting in a harmony of flavors that feel like an embrace.
Salted Butter: The hero. Butter not only adds richness. Also carries and melds the flavors of all other ingredients creating a beautiful symphony of taste.
Light Brown Sugar: It’s not about adding sweetness; it’s about infusing a hint of caramel depth that white sugar simply can’t provide. It’s the ingredient behind that comforting flavor that transports us back to childhood.
Eggs: They play a role as binders and peacemakers in our recipe. They hold everything together in our bars ensuring each ingredient has its moment to shine.
Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla is like the note, in a melody. It adds a touch, to everything giving it a subtle yet essential aroma and flavor.
Cream Cheese (for frosting): For the frosting, we use cream cheese which is rich, creamy, and has a tanginess. It serves as the base for our toppings providing a contrast in textures and flavors that takes these bars from delicious to heavenly.
Orange Zest: We have a secret ingredient. Orange zest. Just a hint of citrus zest brings an element that cuts through the richness and ties all the flavors together in a delightful way.
Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar isn’t there just for sweetness; it also contributes to the texture. It helps create a frosting that’s as smooth as velvet. The final touch, to our delightful creation.
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Steps To Make Cranberry Bliss Bar:
Step 1: To make the Blondies; Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Take a baking dish measuring 13×9 inches line it with foil and lightly spray it with nonstick spray. In one bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, and a touch of cinnamon. In another bowl whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until it cools down. Use a mixer to beat in the eggs and vanilla. Mix this with the flour mixture until there are no streaks left. Add cranberries and white chocolate chips to the batter. Fold them in gently. Spread the batter evenly into your pan. Bake for about 18 to 21 minutes. Let it cool completely.
Step 2: Make the frosting by beating cream cheese, orange zest, and powdered sugar until smooth. Add half of the melted chocolate to this mixture. Blend everything well.
Step 3: Spread the frosting over the cooled blondies using a spatula or knife. Sprinkle some chopped cranberries on top. Drizzle the remaining chocolate as a final touch.
Step 4: Lift out the bars, from the pan using the foil handles as a guide. Cut them into squares or triangles based on your preference. Keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.
Tip:
Take your Cranberry Bliss Bars to the next level by incorporating toasted nuts, for added texture and depth. Almonds, walnuts or pecans are choices. By toasting the nuts before adding them to the batter their natural oils are released, intensifying their flavor and providing a crunch that beautifully complements the chewy texture of the bars.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Arrange your nuts on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Toast them in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes until they turn golden and emit an aroma. Stir occasionally for even toasting.
- Allow the toasted nuts to cool down then roughly chop them.
- Incorporate the toasted nuts into the blondie batter with cranberries and white chocolate chips.
With this addition you can elevate these bars from being delicious, to gourmet-level treats that will impress both your readers and their loved ones!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use frozen cranberries instead of dried?
Yes, you can. Make sure to thaw and drain them properly to prevent any moisture.
How long can I store these bars?
If you cover them they will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 5 days.
Can I freeze Cranberry Bliss Bars?
Definitely! Just wrap them tightly. They can be stored in the freezer for, up to 3 months.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Cranberry Bliss Bar
Ingredients
For the Cookie Layer:
- 2 ¼ c all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¾ c salted butter melted
- 1 ½ c packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ c dried cranberries
- 1 c white chocolate chips
For the Frosting and Topping:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 tbsp grated orange zest
- 1 c powdered sugar sifted
- 1 c white chocolate chips melted
- ½ c dried cranberries roughly chopped
Instructions
Blondie Base:
- First preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 13x9-inch baking dish. Line it with foil. Give it a spray of nonstick spray.
- In a bowl whisk together 2 ¼ cups of flour, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder, ¼ teaspoon of salt and a pinch of cinnamon.
- Next in another bowl whisk together ¾ cup of butter and 1 ½ cups of sugar. Let it cool down for a bit.
- Now beat in the eggs (2 in total). Add in the vanilla extract (1 teaspoon).
- Combine the ingredients with the butter mixture until there are no streaks of flour left.
- Time to stir in the dried cranberries (½ cup) and white chocolate chips (1 cup).
- Spread out the batter evenly into the pan. Pop it into the oven for 18 to 21 minutes. Once done allow it to cool completely for two hours.
Frosting:
- In a bowl beat together softened cream cheese (8 ounces), orange zest (1 tablespoon) and sifted sugar (1 cup).
- Gradually mix in melted chocolate chips (½ cup).
Finishing Touches:
- Smoothly spread the frosting, over your cooled blondies.
- Sprinkle them with chopped dried cranberries (½ cup).
- For that touch drizzle on some melted white chocolate chips (remaining ½ cup).
- To serve these treats easily use the foil handles to lift them out from the pan. Cut them into squares or triangles as desired.
- Remember to store these goodies in your refrigerator until you're ready to enjoy them!
Notes
