Description
Delightful bars featuring sweet dried cranberries, creamy white chocolate, and a hint of orange zest, perfect for any festive occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 packed cups light brown sugar
- 1 orange, zested
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (optional)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for frosting)
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted (for frosting)
- 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries, chopped (for garnishing)
- Orange zest, if desired (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare a 9 by 13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a large bowl, mix the brown sugar with the orange zest.
- Add the melted butter to the sugar mixture and mix well.
- Whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined.
- Add dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, folding gently.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Once baked, let cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then cool completely on a wire rack.
- For frosting, beat cream cheese and unsalted butter until fluffy, then add confectioner’s sugar and vanilla extract.
- Frost the cooled bars and garnish with chopped cranberries and orange zest if desired.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour before cutting into triangles.
Notes
Serve with coffee or tea, and consider freezing leftovers for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: cranberry, bliss bars, dessert, holiday treat, festive baking