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Description
These Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful holiday treat, perfect for festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- For the Glaze:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cranberry sauce (jellied or whole berry)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and pecans (if using).
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.
- While the bars are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well combined and smooth.
- Stir in the cranberry sauce until the glaze is swirled with color.
- Spread the glaze evenly over the cooled bars.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For a more intense cranberry flavor, you can add a tablespoon of fresh lemon zest to the batter.
- If you don’t have dried cranberries, you can substitute with fresh cranberries, but they may be more tart.
- Ensure your cream cheese and butter are fully softened for a smooth glaze.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg