Sweet, tangy bakery favorite
These Homemade Cranberry Bliss Bars bring café-style indulgence right into your kitchen—no coffee shop trip required ✨. Rich, soft blondie bars are studded with tart dried cranberries, then topped with a creamy white chocolate frosting and a drizzle of melted white chocolate for that signature finish. They’re perfect for holiday baking, cookie exchanges, or whenever you want a dessert that feels a little extra without a lot of effort. Made with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is ideal for busy bakers who still want impressive results. One bite delivers buttery sweetness, tangy cranberry bursts, and smooth white chocolate bliss.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Cooling & Decorating: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 12–16 bars
📝 Ingredients List
For the Bars
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1½ cups light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
For the Frosting & Topping
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces white chocolate, melted
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Hand mixer (or sturdy whisk)
- Offset spatula or knife
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy lifting.
- In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and glossy.
- Add eggs and vanilla, whisking until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet just until no flour streaks remain—don’t overmix 😊
- Gently stir in cranberries and white chocolate chips.
- Spread batter evenly into the pan.
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, until edges are set and the center is just slightly soft.
- Cool completely in the pan before frosting—this is key ❄️
Frosting & Finishing
- Beat cream cheese until smooth, then add powdered sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
- Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars.
- Drizzle melted white chocolate diagonally over the top.
- Chill for 20 minutes to set, then lift out and slice into bars ✨
💡 Pro Tips
- Clean slices: Chill the bars before cutting and wipe the knife between cuts.
- Make ahead: These bars taste even better the next day once flavors meld.
- Storage: Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Flavor boost: Add ½ teaspoon orange zest to the batter for a bright holiday twist 🍊