Cranberry Bliss Bars

Cranberry Bliss Bars combine the buttery goodness of blondies with tangy cranberries and sweet white chocolate. I make these treats every holiday season as one of my signature desserts. You could enjoy them with coffee or as a festive addition to cookie exchanges.

What Are Cranberry Bliss Bars

Cranberry Bliss Bars are luxurious layered dessert bars inspired by the popular Starbucks holiday treat. They start with a rich brown butter blondie base studded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks. This chewy, buttery foundation gets topped with a creamy white chocolate cream cheese frosting that’s tangy and sweet.

The final touch is a sprinkle of more dried cranberries and a drizzle of white chocolate. The combination creates a beautiful festive appearance with red cranberries against the white frosting – making them particularly popular during the holiday season.

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Bliss Bar

These Cranberry Bliss Bars deliver incredible flavor in every bite. The brown butter in the blondie base adds a nutty, caramel-like flavor that takes these bars from good to extraordinary. The tanginess from the cream cheese frosting and dried cranberries perfectly balances the sweetness of the white chocolate.

I love how these bars look impressive but aren’t actually difficult to make. The contrast of red cranberries against the white frosting creates a festive appearance that’s perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or gift-giving.

Another reason to love these bars is their texture – the chewy blondie base with pops of cranberry and melty white chocolate chunks, topped with smooth, creamy frosting creates an irresistible combination that keeps you coming back for “just one more piece.”

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Cranberry Bliss Bars

For the 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 (10.5oz, 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)

For the Frosting:

• 1⅔ cups white chocolate, melted (10oz, 283g)
• 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)

For the Topping:

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

How to Make Cranberry Bliss Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Brown the Butter

1. Position your oven rack in the middle and preheat to 350°F.
2. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray, then line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides for easy removal. Spray the parchment too.
3. In a light-colored saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue heating as it foams, stirring constantly. Watch carefully until the milk solids turn golden brown, then immediately remove from heat and transfer to a bowl to stop the cooking process. Let cool slightly.

Step 2: Make the Blondie Batter

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In another bowl, combine the browned butter (including all those flavorful browned bits!) with the brown sugar and mix well.
3. Add eggs, vanilla, and orange zest to the butter mixture and stir until combined.
4. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined – don’t overmix!
5. Fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks.
6. Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 3: Bake the Blondie Base

1. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the top is set. Be careful not to overbake or they’ll be dry instead of chewy.
2. Place the pan on a wire rack and allow to cool completely to room temperature.

Step 4: Make the Frosting

1. In a medium bowl, combine the melted white chocolate, softened cream cheese, sifted confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, orange juice, and orange zest.
2. Beat with an electric mixer (or whisk vigorously by hand) until smooth and fluffy.
3. Once the blondie base has completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.

Step 5: Add the Toppings and Finish

1. Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries evenly over the frosting.
2. Melt the remaining white chocolate and drizzle it over the top using a spoon or piping bag.
3. Refrigerate the bars until the frosting is firm, about 30-60 minutes, for easier cutting.
4. Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the entire slab out of the pan and place on a cutting board.
5. For traditional bliss bars, cut into squares and then cut each square diagonally to form triangles.
6. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Pro Tips for the Best Cranberry Bliss Bars

• Brown the butter properly: The color should be amber, not dark brown. If it smells nutty and looks golden, it’s ready!
• Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese is properly softened for a smooth, lump-free frosting.
• Don’t skip the orange zest: It adds a subtle citrus note that complements the cranberries beautifully.
• Chop your own white chocolate: Pre-packaged chips often contain stabilizers that prevent proper melting. I prefer chopping a good quality white chocolate bar.
• Cool completely before frosting: Any warmth in the blondie will melt your frosting and make it runny.
• Chill before cutting: For clean, sharp edges, refrigerate the bars before slicing with a sharp knife.
• Use the parchment overhang: This makes it easy to lift the entire slab out for cutting, instead of trying to cut in the pan.
• Wipe your knife: Clean your knife between cuts for the neatest presentation.
• Let them warm slightly: While you should chill before cutting, the flavor is best when served slightly below room temperature.

Easy Variations and Flavor Twists

• Cranberry Orange Bliss Bars: Double the orange zest in both the base and frosting for more citrus flavor.
• Cranberry Pistachio Bliss Bars: Add ⅓ cup chopped pistachios to the blondie base and sprinkle some on top for color and crunch.
• Cranberry Coconut Bliss Bars: Add ½ cup toasted coconut to the blondie base and sprinkle some on top with the cranberries.
• Spiced Cranberry Bliss Bars: Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg to the blondie base for a warm, spiced flavor.
• Raspberry Bliss Bars: Substitute dried raspberries for the cranberries for a different berry experience.
• Dark Chocolate Twist: Replace the white chocolate in the blondie base with semi-sweet chocolate chips for a different flavor profile.
• Almond Extract: Add ¼ teaspoon almond extract to the frosting for a subtle nutty flavor.

What to Serve with Cranberry Bliss Bars

These festive bars pair beautifully with several beverages and accompaniments:

• Hot beverages: Serve with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or a chai latte
• Holiday drinks: Eggnog, mulled wine, or apple cider complement the festive flavors
• Ice cream: A small scoop of vanilla ice cream turns this into a more substantial dessert
• Fruit: Fresh berries on the side add a bright, fresh element
• Cheese plate: For an unexpected pairing, serve as part of a dessert cheese board with brie or mascarpone

How to Store, Freeze, and Make Ahead

Storage: Store cranberry bliss bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors actually improve after a day as they meld together!

Freezing: These bars freeze well for up to 3 months. Here’s how:

1. Cut into individual servings
2. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 2 hours)
3. Transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment between layers
4. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving

Make-Ahead Options:

• Make the blondie base up to 2 days ahead and store, tightly wrapped, at room temperature
• Prepare the frosting up to 2 days ahead and store in the refrigerator
• Assemble the entire dessert up to 3 days before serving and store in the refrigerator

Cranberry Bliss Bars FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Fresh cranberries will add too much moisture and tartness. Stick with dried cranberries for the best texture and flavor.

My white chocolate seized when melting. What happened?
White chocolate is sensitive to heat. Try melting it in 15-second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each, or use a double boiler method, making sure no water touches the chocolate.

Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Why did my blondie base turn out cakey rather than chewy?
Overbaking is usually the culprit. Watch the bars carefully and remove them from the oven when the edges are just golden and the center is set but still soft.

Can I reduce the sugar?
You can reduce the brown sugar in the blondie base by up to ¼ cup and the powdered sugar in the frosting by up to ⅓ cup, but be aware this will affect both texture and flavor.

Do I have to use the orange zest and juice?
While you can omit them, they add a wonderful dimension that complements the cranberries. If you don’t have oranges, you can substitute lemon zest and juice for a different but still delicious flavor.

Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Double all ingredients and bake in two 9×13-inch pans or one half-sheet pan, adjusting baking time as needed.

Print

More Recipes You’ll Love

• Celery and Pineapple Juice
• Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips
• Mexican Ground Beef Casserole