Description
These white chocolate cranberry squares are a delightful treat featuring a tender bar base studded with white chocolate chips and tangy dried cranberries, topped with a creamy, zesty cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour (180g)
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 0.5 cup brown sugar (100g), packed
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter (113g), softened (or use salted butter and reduce added salt by 0.25 tsp)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup white chocolate chips (170g)
- 1 cup dried cranberries (110g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 4 oz cream cheese (113g), softened
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter (57g), softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar (240g)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (lemon zest also adds a lovely tang)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and both sugars using an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until just combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing on low speed until just combined (Do not overmix; if it looks dry, splash in 1-2 Tbsp milk or orange juice).
- Fold In Add-Ins & Spread: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared 8×8 inch baking dish.
- Bake & Cool Bars: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter). Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Prepare Frosting: While bars cool, prepare the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and orange zest until smooth and creamy.
- Frost & Chill: Once bars are completely cool, spread the frosting generously over the top. Chill for at least 30 minutes before slicing for clean cuts (For a quick chill, pop frosted bars in the freezer for 10-15 minutes instead of the fridge).
Notes
Consider using good quality white chocolate chips for best melt. For a quick chill of the frosted bars, pop them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes instead of the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx 65 g)
- Calories: 350 calories
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, white chocolate, dried cranberries, cream cheese frosting, dessert bars, baking, holiday treat, sweet treat, easy dessert