Description
Chewy, buttery, and frosted to perfection, these Cranberry Bliss Bars are the ultimate dessert bars to bake any time of year. Packed with dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and a tangy cream cheese frosting, they’re ideal for holiday platters, cookie exchanges, or as a quick dessert idea for last-minute guests. Whether you’re looking for a simple dessert for entertaining or cozy winter baking inspiration, this easy recipe delivers rich flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
1¼ cups brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange zest
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup dried cranberries (plus extra for topping)
½ cup white chocolate chips (plus extra for topping)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Whisk melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
2. Stir in eggs, vanilla, and orange zest.
3. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix just until combined.
4. Fold in cranberries and white chocolate chips.
5. Spread into a lined 9×13″ baking pan.
6. Bake at 350°F for 20–24 minutes until golden.
7. Cool completely before frosting.
8. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until fluffy.
9. Spread frosting over bars evenly.
10. Sprinkle with chopped cranberries and white chocolate chips.
11. Chill for 20 minutes, then slice and serve.
Notes
Chill before slicing for clean, bakery-style edges.
Store in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze up to 2 months.
Don’t skip the orange zest—it makes the whole recipe sing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: cranberry dessert bars, holiday baking, Starbucks copycat, easy dessert, festive treat