Festive Cranberry Bliss Bars
Elevate your holiday baking with these Festive Cranberry Bliss Bars, a delightful combination of rich flavors and textures. Featuring a buttery base infused with ginger and loaded with tart dried cranberries, chunks of white chocolate, and candied ginger, these bars are topped with a creamy orange cream cheese frosting. Perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a sweet treat during the festive season, these bars are sure to be a hit with family and friends.
24
Servings
150
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
1 cup (softened)
brown sugar
1 1/4 cups
eggs
3
ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons
salt
1/4 teaspoon
all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups
dried cranberries
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
white chocolate
6 ounces (finely chopped)
candied ginger
1/3 cup (finely chopped)
cream cheese
4 ounces (softened)
confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 cups
unsalted butter
4 tablespoons (softened)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
orange juice
1 tablespoon
orange zest
1 teaspoon
dried cranberries
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
white chocolate
1/2-3/4 cup (shavings)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, ensuring you trim any excess paper to fit snugly.
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated.
4
In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing on low speed to combine. Remember to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically.
5
Once the dry ingredients are fully combined, gently fold in the finely chopped dried cranberries, white chocolate, and candied ginger using a spatula until evenly distributed.
6
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared jelly roll pan, smoothing the top. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until the bars are set and no longer puffy. They should be slightly firm to the touch.
7
Allow the baked bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
8
For the frosting, beat softened cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, orange juice, and orange zest in a clean bowl until smooth and creamy. Remember to scrape down the bowl to ensure an even mixture.
9
Gently fold in the finely chopped dried cranberries into the frosting.
10
Once the bars are completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Finish off with a generous sprinkle of white chocolate shavings for an elegant touch.
11
To cut the bars, first slice them into four equal sections along the length and then into three pieces across the width. Finally, cut each square into triangles for serving.
12
Store any leftover bars in the refrigerator for optimal freshness.
Nutrition Information
7.7g
Fat
20g
Carbs
1.3g
Protein
14g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Cranberry Bliss Bars?
Festive Cranberry Bliss Bars are a holiday dessert consisting of a buttery ginger-infused base loaded with dried cranberries, white chocolate, and candied ginger, finished with an orange cream cheese frosting.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 24 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 150 calories.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What size pan should be used for these bars?
The recipe calls for a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Line the pan with parchment paper and trim any excess paper to ensure it fits snugly.
How do I mix the butter and sugar for the base?
Cream the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is smooth.
When should the eggs be added to the batter?
Add the eggs one at a time after creaming the butter and sugar, mixing well after each addition.
What dry ingredients are needed for the base?
The dry ingredients include all-purpose flour, ground ginger, and salt.
How do I incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture?
Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing on low speed and scraping down the sides of the bowl periodically.
What mix-ins are folded into the batter?
Gently fold in finely chopped dried cranberries, white chocolate, and candied ginger.
How long should the bars bake?
Bake the bars for approximately 30 minutes until they are set and slightly firm to the touch.
How can I tell when the bars are finished baking?
They are done when they are no longer puffy and feel slightly firm when touched.
Should the bars be cooled before frosting?
Yes, allow the baked bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before you apply the frosting.
What ingredients are in the frosting?
The frosting consists of softened cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, orange juice, orange zest, and finely chopped dried cranberries.
How is the frosting prepared?
Beat the cream cheese, sugar, butter, vanilla, orange juice, and zest until smooth, then fold in the chopped cranberries.
What is used to garnish the bars?
The bars are finished with a generous sprinkle of white chocolate shavings.
What is the recommended way to cut the bars?
Slice the pan into four equal sections lengthwise and three pieces across, then cut each resulting square into triangles.
How should I store leftover bars?
Store leftovers in the refrigerator to maintain optimal freshness.
What amount of white chocolate is used in the batter?
The batter requires 6 ounces of finely chopped white chocolate.
How much candied ginger is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of finely chopped candied ginger.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 7.7 grams of fat per serving.
What is the total carbohydrate count per bar?
Each bar has 20 grams of carbohydrates.
How much sugar is in each bar?
Each serving contains 14 grams of sugar.
What is the protein content of these bars?
Each bar contains 1.3 grams of protein.
How much brown sugar is used in the base?
The base requires 1 1/4 cups of brown sugar.
How much cream cheese is needed for the frosting?
You will need 4 ounces of softened cream cheese.
What amount of vanilla extract is used?
The frosting uses 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
How much orange juice and zest are used?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of orange juice and 1 teaspoon of orange zest.
How much ground ginger is added to the flour?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground ginger.