Description

Bakery-style Cranberry Bliss Bars with a chewy blondie base, tangy orange-kissed cream cheese frosting, and a white chocolate cranberry drizzle. Festive, indulgent, and surprisingly easy—perfect for holidays, cookie exchanges, or cozy weekends.

Ingredients

1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 1/2 cups (300 g) packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 tsp finely grated orange zest

1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

3/4 cup (135 g) white chocolate chips

3/4 cup (90 g) dried cranberries, chopped

8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened

4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter, softened

1 3/4 cups (210 g) powdered sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 tsp finely grated orange zest (frosting)

Pinch of salt (frosting)

1/2 cup (60 g) dried cranberries, chopped (topping)

4 oz (115 g) white chocolate, melted (drizzle)

1 tsp coconut oil or neutral oil (optional, to thin drizzle)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch metal pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy lifting.

2. Melt butter and let cool 5 minutes.

3. Whisk brown sugar and melted butter until glossy. Whisk in eggs, vanilla, and orange zest until smooth.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, and cinnamon.

5. Fold dry ingredients into wet just until combined; do not overmix.

6. Stir in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.

7. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan and smooth the top.

8. Bake 20–24 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

9. Cool completely in the pan on a rack, about 1 hour.

10. For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, orange zest, and a pinch of salt; beat until creamy.

11. Lift blondie slab from pan and frost evenly. Sprinkle with chopped cranberries; chill 15 minutes.

12. Drizzle melted white chocolate (thinned with a little oil if needed). Chill 10 minutes to set, then cut into squares or triangles.

Notes

Use room-temperature cream cheese and butter for a smooth frosting.

Chill before slicing for clean triangle cuts.

Adjust orange zest to taste; more zest = brighter flavor.

Thin white chocolate with 1 tsp oil if needed for an easy drizzle.