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Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 77 reviews

Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful treat featuring a soft, spiced cake bar studded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks, topped with a creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting, a drizzle of sweet icing, and extra cranberries for garnish. Perfect for holiday gatherings or an indulgent snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Bar Layer

  • 1/4 cup softened butter
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch salt
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries (chopped)
  • 1.5 oz (40g) white chocolate (roughly chopped)

Frosting

  • 1.5 oz (40g) cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon dried cranberries (chopped)

Drizzled Icing

  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon milk
  • 3/4 teaspoon vegetable shortening

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease or line a standard-sized loaf tin to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Butter and Sugar: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will contribute to a tender texture.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, ground ginger, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until everything is fully combined and smooth.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gently stir in the all-purpose flour and baking powder to avoid overmixing and to keep the bars tender.
  5. Mix in Cranberries and Chocolate: Add the chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate, folding them evenly into the batter for bursts of flavor in every bite.
  6. Bake the Bars: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared loaf tin and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until the surface is golden brown and the cake feels springy to the touch.
  7. Cool: Allow the cake to cool completely in the loaf tin to ensure the frosting won’t melt.
  8. Prepare Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy, creating a tangy frosting.
  9. Frost the Cake: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake, then sprinkle and gently press the chopped dried cranberries on top for garnish and texture.
  10. Make Drizzled Icing: Combine powdered sugar, milk, and vegetable shortening in a small bowl and beat until smooth to create a drizzle icing.
  11. Drizzle Icing over Frosting: Use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle thin diagonal strips of icing over the frosted cake for a decorative finish.
  12. Chill Overnight: Cover the cake with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors meld and to set the frosting and icing before slicing into bars.

Notes

  • Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth frosting with no lumps.
  • Do not overmix the batter once flour is added to keep the texture tender.
  • Chilling overnight enhances the flavor and texture of the bars.
  • Use a sharp knife to slice bars cleanly, wiping the blade between cuts if needed.
  • Store leftover bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, white chocolate cranberry bars, festive dessert bars, cream cheese frosting bars

Find it online: https://deliciousdishspot.com/cranberry-bliss-bars-recipe/