Hey y'all! If you're ready to wow your friends and family this season, these Holiday Cranberry Bliss Bars with White Chocolate Drizzle are your new go-to treat. They’re brimming with tart cranberries, luscious white chocolate, and the perfect bit of sweet vanilla frosting, making them irresistible at holiday parties, cookie swaps, or as a special homemade gift. Each bite delivers a soft, chewy texture with pops of fruity flavor—let’s get baking!
Why You'll Love This Holiday Cranberry Bliss Bars with White Chocolate Drizzle Recipe
- Super easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.
- Perfect balance of sweet, tart, and creamy flavors.
- Stunning presentation with white chocolate drizzle and bright cranberries.
- Ideal for holiday gifting, potlucks, or cozy nights in.
- Customizable to suit various dietary needs and personal preferences.
Ingredients for Holiday Cranberry Bliss Bars with White Chocolate Drizzle
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups (300g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (90g) dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup (90g) white chocolate chips
- 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ¼ cup (45g) white chocolate (for melting and drizzling)
- Extra dried cranberries, for garnish (optional)
Directions: How to Make Holiday Cranberry Bliss Bars with White Chocolate Drizzle
Step 1: Prep Your Pan & Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients & Assemble
In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
Step 4: Bake the Bars
Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
Step 5: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and milk, beating until creamy and spreadable. Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars.
Step 6: Add White Chocolate Drizzle & Garnish
Melt the remaining white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over the frosted bars and sprinkle extra cranberries if desired. Let set, then cut into triangles or squares.
Notes: Tips for the Best Holiday Cranberry Bliss Bars with White Chocolate Drizzle
- Room temperature ingredients help create a smooth, blendable batter.
- Fully cool the bars before frosting to prevent melting; for more on frosting techniques, check out this frosting guide from King Arthur Baking.
- Tweak sweetness or tartness by adjusting the amount of cranberries and sugar added.
Holiday Cranberry Bliss Bars with White Chocolate Drizzle Variations
- Nutty Bliss: Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute a gluten-free all-purpose blend for the flour.
- Orange Zest Twist: Add 1 tablespoon orange zest to the batter for bright citrus notes.
Required Equipment for Holiday Cranberry Bliss Bars with White Chocolate Drizzle
- 9x13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Storage Instructions: Keeping Your Holiday Cranberry Bliss Bars with White Chocolate Drizzle Fresh
Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Allow to come to room temperature before serving for optimal texture.
Serving Recommendations and Pairings for Holiday Cranberry Bliss Bars with White Chocolate Drizzle
- Serve with a mug of spiced chai, coffee, or hot cocoa for a cozy vibe.
- Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
- Present on a festive platter alongside other holiday cookies and bars.
Pro Tips for Best Holiday Cranberry Bliss Bars with White Chocolate Drizzle Results
- Don’t overmix the batter to keep bars tender and soft (learn why here).
- Use high-quality white chocolate for smoother melting and deeper flavor.
- For neat edges, chill the bars before slicing into shapes.
FAQ: Holiday Cranberry Bliss Bars with White Chocolate Drizzle
- Can I use fresh or frozen cranberries instead of dried?
- Dried cranberries are best for texture and flavor, but you can use fresh or frozen (chopped and patted dry) for a more tart bite.
- Can I make these Holiday Cranberry Bliss Bars with White Chocolate Drizzle ahead of time?
- Absolutely! Prepare the bars and store them, unfrosted, in the fridge or freezer. Frost and drizzle just before serving.
- Are these bliss bars overly sweet?
- The tartness of cranberries balances the sweetness, but you can scale back the sugar if desired for a less sweet result.
Want more tips for making perfect holiday treats? Check out this Allrecipes cranberry bar resource for additional ideas.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups (160g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (90g) dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup (85g) white chocolate chips
- ½ cup (85g) white chocolate chips, for drizzle
Instructions
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1Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
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2In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar. Mix until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla extract, stirring until well incorporated.
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3Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined.
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4Gently stir in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
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5Bake for 20 minutes or until the center is set and the edges are lightly golden. Cool completely in the pan.
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6Melt the remaining ½ cup white chocolate chips and drizzle over the cooled bars. Let set before slicing into 16 bars.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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