Description
These luxurious Cranberry Bliss Bars are the perfect holiday treat, featuring a dense, ginger-spiced blondie base loaded with white chocolate chunks and chewy dried cranberries. Finished with a tangy, silky cream cheese frosting and a drizzle of melted white chocolate, these bars offer a nostalgic and comforting flavor profile. They are beautifully balanced between sweet and tart, making them an ideal centerpiece for festive gatherings or a thoughtful, giftable dessert that captures the warmth of the season.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk or cream
1/4 cup white chocolate chips, for drizzling
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, whisking until well combined.
Fold in the flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, and cinnamon until just incorporated.
Stir in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
While cooling, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth, adding milk to reach your desired spreading consistency.
Once cool, spread the frosting over the bars.
Melt the remaining white chocolate and drizzle it over the top for a final flourish.
Allow the frosting to set before cutting into squares.
Notes
Store these bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh. They are best served slightly chilled. You can make them ahead of time for easier holiday hosting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg