Cranberry Bliss Bars

I may or may not have stayed in my cozies all day today making and eating these delicious Cranberry Bliss Bars! These things are so incredibly yummy and not hard to make at all! I find it easiest to measure out all of the ingredients first, and then it all goes so quickly after that.

Wrap these up in a cute little box and you’ve got yourself the cutest, and yummiest, little gift for your neighbor, co-worker, friend, etc. that will be sure to please!

Ingredients:

For the Bars

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)

1 large egg

1 cup light brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

 1/4 teaspoon salt, optional and to taste

1 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup dried cranberries, loosely packed

1 teaspoon orange zest

For the Frosting and Topping

1 cup white chocolate chips, melted and divided

4 ounces cream cheese, softened (whipped or light may be used)

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups+ powdered sugar (depending how sweet/thick you like your frosting.

1/4 cup dried cranberries, loosely packed

Directions:

For the bars

1.  Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.

2. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter, about 45 seconds. To the melted butter (allow it to cool slightly so you don’t scramble the egg), add the egg, brown sugar, vanilla, and stir to combine.

3. Add the flour, salt, and stir until just combined, making sure not to over-mix or the bars will be tough. Fold in 1 cup of white chocolate chips, 1/2 cup cranberries, and the orange zest, and stir to combine.

4. Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing it lightly with a spatula or offset knife if necessary.

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the center is set and golden or until edges begin to slightly pull away from sides of pan. Let the bars cool completely. This is important. Just do it. While they cool, make the frosting.

For the Frosting and Topping –

1. Melt the white chocolate. You can do this easily by using a microwave safe bowl for 30 second intervals, stirring in-between. It should be melted in about 90 seconds, or so, total.

2. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, about three-quarters of the melted white chocolate, 2 cups of the powdered sugar (I don’t sift it because any tiny lumps will be covered up by sprinkled cranberries and white chocolate drizzle), and the vanilla, and beat until smooth and fluffy, scraping down the sides when needed. Add additional powdered sugar if needed based on taste preference and desired frosting consistency.

3. Frost the bars; you will have excess.

4. Evenly sprinkle 1/2 cup cranberries over the top of the frosted bars. Then, drizzle bars with remaining melted white chocolate, reheating for a few seconds in the microwave if it has set up. I find it easiest to put the melted chocolate in a Ziplock bag, cut one of the corner tips off, and drizzle.  Allow bars to set up for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving, and this can be done faster in the fridge or freezer.

And that’s it! I advise you to make a double batch, these go quickly!

Original recipe found HERE.

<3 Shannon