Easy Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe
These Easy Cranberry Bliss Bars taste just like the bakery favorite soft, chewy blondies filled with white chocolate and dried cranberries, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting and a festive cranberry drizzle. They’re simple to make, perfectly sweet, and the ultimate holiday treat for parties, gifting, or cozy December baking.
Ingredients
For the blondie base:
- Butter: 1/2 cup 115 g, melted
- Brown sugar: 1 cup 200 g, packed
- Eggs: 2 large
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
- All-purpose flour: 1 1/2 cups 190 g
- Baking powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- Dried cranberries: 1 cup 120 g
- White chocolate chips or chunks: 1 cup 175 g
For the cream cheese frosting:
- Cream cheese: 4 oz 115 g, softened
- Unsalted butter: 1/4 cup 57 g, softened
- Powdered sugar: 1 cup 120 g
- Vanilla extract: 1/2 teaspoon
Optional toppings:
- White chocolate for drizzle
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
Ingredient swaps:
- Coconut oil for butter in the base
- Light brown sugar instead of dark
- Dried cherries for cranberries
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the oven and pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leave an overhang for easy lifting.
Step 2: Make the blondie base
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 cup brown sugar until smooth.
- Beat in 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
- Fold in 1 cup dried cranberries and 1 cup white chocolate chips.
Step 3: Bake the base
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Let it cool completely in the pan before adding frosting.
Step 4: Make the cream cheese frosting
- In a bowl, beat 4 oz softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup softened butter until smooth.
- Gradually add 1 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Spread frosting evenly over the cooled blondie base.
Step 5: Add the finishing touches
- Melt a few tablespoons of white chocolate and drizzle over the frosting.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts if desired.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes to set before slicing.
Video
Notes
📝 Notes
- Use softened cream cheese for the frosting to keep it smooth and spreadable.
- Substitute white chocolate chips with chopped white chocolate if preferred.
- Orange zest adds brightness—freshly grated works best.
- Fold dried cranberries in gently to avoid overmixing the batter.
- Chill bars before slicing for cleaner edges and easier handling.
- Use parchment paper for mess-free removal from the baking pan.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze unfrosted bars for longer storage and frost after thawing.