Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting and White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe

Oh, you’re going to love these Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting and White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe! They have this perfect balance of sweet and tangy, topped off with a luscious cream cheese frosting and that gorgeous white chocolate drizzle – seriously, it’s like a little slice of holiday magic you can enjoy any time of year. I first made these for a family gathering, and everyone was absolutely obsessed!

What makes this Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting and White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe so special is how the flavors all come together without being overpowering. The dried cranberries add just the right amount of tartness, the cinnamon warms things up, and the white chocolate melts on your tongue with each bite. Whether you’re serving these for brunch, dessert, or just because, they always feel like a treat you deserve.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting and White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe are simple but work beautifully together. You can find everything at your local grocery store, and a few pantry staples will really shine here.

• All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure for soft, chewy bars.
• Baking soda: Helps the bars rise lightly so they’re tender yet not cakey.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth, making the bars cozy and inviting.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens while keeping texture light.
• Brown sugar: Gives a hint of caramel flavor and moisture.
• Unsalted butter: Melted for easy mixing and richness.
• Eggs: Bind everything together for that perfect chewy consistency.
• Vanilla extract: Brings out all the sweet notes and layers of flavor.
• White chocolate chips: For pockets of sweet, creamy surprise inside the bars.
• Dried cranberries: Tart and chewy, they contrast wonderfully with the sweetness.
• Cream cheese (for frosting): Super soft and creamy, makes the frosting tangy and smooth.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting perfectly.
• White baking chocolate: Melted for that signature drizzle on top.

Variations

I love that you can tweak this Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting and White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe to suit your mood or dietary needs. Here are some fun ideas to make it your own – I’ve tried a few and found they bring new life to an already fantastic bar.

• Add Orange Zest: I sprinkle some fresh orange zest into the frosting or the batter to brighten it up. It adds a zing that’s simply heavenly with cranberries.
• Swap the White Chocolate: If you prefer, dark or milk chocolate chips work great too, especially if you want a less sweet alternative.
• Make it Gluten-Free: Use a trusty gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour, and you’ll barely notice the difference.
• Boost Texture: Toss in chopped pecans or walnuts for a nice crunch. My family goes crazy for this twist!

How to Make Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting and White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray your baking dish with nonstick spray – I prefer a 13×9-inch pan for the traditional bar size, but if you want thicker bars, a 9×9-inch dish works beautifully. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mixing these well upfront means even flavor and perfect texture throughout.

Step 2: Cream Sugars and Butter, Add Eggs and Vanilla

In another bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and melted butter. Stir it until everything’s smooth and blended, then mix in the eggs and vanilla extract. This step is key—be sure the butter isn’t too hot or it might scramble your eggs! I like to use room temperature eggs to keep everything smooth.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients, Add Mix-ins

Now, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until a dough forms—it should be thick but easy to spread. Fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. You don’t want to overmix here, just enough so the goodies are distributed well. Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan, pressing gently with a spatula to smooth the surface.

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Pop the pan in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes. You’ll want to keep a close eye starting at 15 minutes; the edges should be golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Don’t over bake or the bars will dry out – I learned this the hard way! Let the bars cool completely in the pan; this is crucial so your frosting doesn’t melt.

Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting and Decorate

While the bars cool, beat together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract using a hand mixer. The frosting should be smooth and fluffy. Spread it generously over the cooled bars, then scatter the chopped dried cranberries on top for color and tartness. Finally, drizzle the melted white baking chocolate over everything. A quick tip: melt white chocolate gently in 10-second intervals in the microwave, stirring in between to keep it from burning – it’s delicate and melts faster than dark chocolate!

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Allow the white chocolate drizzle to set by chilling the bars in the fridge until firm. When ready, cut into 9 large squares then slice each square diagonally to create charming triangles. These bars keep well chilled, and honestly, they taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together.

How to Serve Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting and White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe

Garnishes

I often garnish these bars with a few extra chopped dried cranberries or even a light dusting of powdered sugar for a festive look. If I’m feeling fancy, I add a little twist of orange zest on top—it brightens everything up and hints at the citrus warmth inside. These garnishes also add a lovely texture contrast, plus they make the bars look irresistible.

Side Dishes

These bars pair wonderfully with a warm cup of coffee or a spiced chai latte—perfect for brunch or a cozy afternoon snack. For something lighter on the savory side, I like serving them alongside a fresh fruit salad or a small cheese platter to balance the sweetness. They’ve been a hit with my friends when served this way at parties!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered these bars in a pretty glass trifle dish alternating with whipped cream and extra cranberries—so festive and gorgeous on the table. Another fun idea is cutting them into bite-sized pieces and serving them on wooden skewers with cranberries and white chocolate chunks for a playful dessert display. Presentation makes a difference, and these bars really shine when you get creative!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After making these Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting and White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe, I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay amazingly moist and fresh for up to 4 days—just make sure they’re well-covered to keep from absorbing other fridge odors.

Freezing

If I want to make them in advance, I freeze the uncut bars tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting and drizzling with white chocolate for best results. This keeps the bars tasting fresh and delicious without sacrifice.

Reheating

I usually eat these bars chilled, but if you prefer them a little warmer, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave brings out the soft texture without melting the frosting too much. Just keep an eye on it—you want warm, not gooey!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting and White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe brings cozy, festive vibes straight to my kitchen anytime I need a little indulgence. Every time I make these bars, I’m reminded of how simple ingredients and a bit of love combine to create something truly special. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll find yourself making these for brunches, holidays, or just because cravings can strike at any moment. Give this recipe a go—you won’t regret it!

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