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Easy Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Easy Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting - featured image
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These Easy Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a quick and simple holiday dessert featuring a buttery shortbread crust, a tart cranberry-orange layer, and a silky cream cheese frosting. Perfect for cookie swaps, potlucks, or last-minute baking emergencies.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour, 1 ¾ cups (210g)
  • Unsalted butter, ½ cup (113g), cold and cubed
  • Granulated sugar, ¼ cup (50g)
  • Baking powder, 1 teaspoon
  • Salt, ¼ teaspoon
  • Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon
  • Dried cranberries, 1 ½ cups (180g)
  • Orange zest, 1 tablespoon (from about 1 large orange)
  • Fresh orange juice, 2 tablespoons
  • White chocolate chips, ½ cup (90g)
  • Cream cheese, 4 oz (113g), softened
  • Unsalted butter, ¼ cup (57g), softened (for frosting)
  • Powdered sugar, 1 ½ cups (180g)
  • Vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • Extra dried cranberries, ¼ cup (30g), roughly chopped (for topping)
  • White chocolate shavings (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches of overhang on two opposite sides.
  2. Make the crust: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and vanilla extract. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
  3. Press the crust into the pan: Transfer the crumb mixture to the prepared pan. Press it down firmly and evenly into the bottom. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Set on a cooling rack.
  4. Prepare the cranberry layer: In a medium bowl, combine the dried cranberries, orange zest, and orange juice. Stir and let it sit for 5 minutes. Fold in the white chocolate chips.
  5. Spread the cranberry mixture over the warm crust: Use a spatula to distribute it evenly. Don’t press too hard.
  6. Bake again: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 12-15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the cranberry layer is bubbling slightly. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack (about 45 minutes to 1 hour).
  7. Make the cream cheese frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together in a medium bowl until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and salt, then gradually beat in the powdered sugar. Start on low speed, then increase to medium-high. Scrape down the sides once or twice. The frosting should be thick, smooth, and spreadable.
  8. Frost the cooled bars: Once the bars are completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
  9. Add the toppings: Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries over the frosting. If using white chocolate shavings, add those too. Gently press them into the frosting.
  10. Chill before cutting: Refrigerate the frosted bars for at least 30 minutes. Lift the entire block out using the parchment handles. Use a sharp chef’s knife, wiping it clean between cuts. Trim the edges first for the prettiest bars, or leave them rustic.

Notes

Keep butter cold for the crust. Don’t overbake the crust. Let bars cool completely before frosting. Use a sharp knife for cutting. For busy days, make the crust and cranberry layer the night before. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze unfrosted bars for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, cream cheese frosting, easy holiday dessert, cranberry bars, shortbread crust, Christmas baking, quick dessert

Find it online: https://vexifood.com/easy-cranberry-bliss-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting/