Cranberry Bliss Bars
Cranberry Bliss Bars are one of the most delicious treats a famous coffee company used to carry. Now you can make your own! These bars are a harmonious blend of tart cranberries, creamy white chocolate, and a hint of spice, creating a decadent experience that is perfect for festive gatherings or cozy evenings by the fireplace.
Ingredients for the White Chocolate Cranberry Bars:
unsalted butter (softened, not melted)
salt
brown sugar
all-purpose flour
eggs
baking powder
minced crystallized ginger or finely grated fresh ginger
vanilla extract
Craisins (dry cranberries), chopped
white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate bar
For garnish:
Craisins (dried cranberries), chopped
white chocolate chips
Cream Cheese Frosting:
cream cheese
vanilla extract
powdered sugar
lemon juice
orange extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F with the rack in the middle. Line a 12x16 inch baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Set aside.
Cream together brown sugar, salt & butter. Next, add eggs & vanilla extract, one egg at a time creaming the mixture in between. Add grated ginger, flour & baking powder and stir everything together. Now, Add cranberries & white chocolate and fold them in.
Using wet hands or wet spatula spread the batter evenly in a 12x16 inch baking pan. Finally, bake for about 20 minutes or until the middle is baked through. Do not overbake or the bars will be very dry. Allow to cool.
Frosting:
Add the cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, orange extract & vanilla extract to a bowl of a mixer. Using a beater or a whip attachment beat/whip everything together until creamy, about 4-5 minutes.
Place the white chocolate in a cup and microwave for about 40-50 seconds in 7-8 increments stirring with a spoon in between, until it just starts to melt. Continue stirring until all chocolate is melted. Transfer it to a ziplock bag and twist the end around the chocolate. When ready to drizzle, snip the end with scissors.
How to Assemble the White Chocolate Cranberry Bars
Spread the frosting over the cooled down crust, then sprinkle the dried cranberries on top. Drizzle melted white chocolate on top. Allow the bars to set until the top of the cream cheese frosting is not sticky to the touch, about 2 hours. This will make it easier to cut the bars
Trim the ends of the bars, for even edges. Cut the bars into squares, then cut the squares diagonally into triangles.