Oh my goodness, have you ever tried cranberry bliss bars? They’re the perfect blend of tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate, and let me tell you, they’re an absolute crowd-pleaser! I can still remember the first time I made them—my kitchen filled with the warm, inviting aroma of baked goodies, and the moment I took that first bite, I was hooked! The creamy frosting on top just takes them over the edge. They remind me of the cozy holiday gatherings with family, where we’d all gather around and enjoy these delicious treats. Trust me, once you make these cranberry bliss bars, they’ll become a favorite in your home too! They’re so easy to whip up, and I promise, they’ll disappear faster than you can say „dessert!”
Ingredients for Cranberry Bliss Bars
To make these delightful cranberry bliss bars, you’ll need a few simple ingredients that come together beautifully. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: This is the base of your bars, giving them that lovely structure.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the bars rise and gives them that perfect fluffy texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing. It adds richness and moisture.
- 1 cup brown sugar: This adds sweetness and a delightful caramel flavor; I love using light brown sugar for a milder taste.
- 1 large egg: This binds everything together and helps with the structure.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Always use pure vanilla for the best flavor, trust me on this one!
- 1 cup dried cranberries: These are where the tartness comes from, and they add a lovely chewiness.
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips: These sweet little morsels melt beautifully and balance the tartness of the cranberries.
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened: This is for the frosting, giving it that creamy, dreamy texture.
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese frosting just right; feel free to adjust this to your taste!
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting): Adds extra flavor to the cream cheese frosting.
How to Prepare Cranberry Bliss Bars
Now that we’ve got our ingredients ready, let’s dive into making these scrumptious cranberry bliss bars! It’s all about taking it step-by-step, so grab your mixing bowls and let’s get started.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial because you want those bars to bake evenly.
- Next, grease a 9×9 inch baking pan with a bit of butter or non-stick spray. This will ensure your bars come out easily once they’re baked.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps distribute the baking powder evenly, so your bars rise nicely.
- In another bowl, beat together the softened butter and brown sugar until it’s smooth and creamy. Take a moment to enjoy that delicious buttery scent!
- Now, add in the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing well until everything is blended together. It should look rich and inviting.
- Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! You want those bars to be tender.
- Fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips gently. This is when the magic happens—those bursts of tartness and sweetness!
- Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Make sure it’s nice and smooth on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden brown around the edges, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step is key before you frost them!
- While they’re cooling, whip up the cream cheese frosting by mixing together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until it’s smooth and fluffy.
- Once the bars are completely cool, spread that dreamy cream cheese mixture over the top, cut them into squares, and get ready to enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- They’re super quick to make, perfect for a last-minute dessert!
- These bars are a delightful mix of tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate—yum!
- Easy to store in the fridge or freezer, so you can enjoy them later.
- The cream cheese frosting adds a rich and creamy finish that’s simply irresistible.
- They’re great for sharing at gatherings or just enjoying on a cozy night in.
Tips for Success
To make sure your cranberry bliss bars turn out perfectly every time, here are a few handy tips! First, don’t skip the cooling step—frosting warm bars can lead to a melty mess, and nobody wants that! Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. If you like your bars a bit sweeter, feel free to adjust the powdered sugar in the frosting to your taste. And remember, letting them sit for a few hours after baking allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your delicious cranberry bliss bars fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just make sure they’re completely cool before sealing them up! If you want to save some for later, you can freeze them. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them overnight in the fridge. No need to reheat—just serve chilled and enjoy that creamy frosting and fruity goodness!
Nutritional Information
It’s always good to know what you’re indulging in, right? Just keep in mind that nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. For each scrumptious cranberry bliss bar, you can expect approximately:
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 80mg
So, enjoy these delightful treats in moderation, and savor every bite!
FAQ about Cranberry Bliss Bars
Got questions about making these delicious cranberry bliss bars? I’ve got you covered! Here are some common inquiries I often hear, along with handy answers to help you out.
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Absolutely, you can use fresh cranberries! Just keep in mind that fresh cranberries are more tart than dried ones, so you might want to add a little extra sweetness to balance it out. A touch of sugar mixed in with the fresh cranberries can really enhance the flavor!
How should I adjust the recipe for different pan sizes?
If you’re using a different pan size, no worries! Just keep an eye on the baking time. For a larger pan, like a 9×13 inch, the bars will bake faster, so start checking for doneness around 15-20 minutes. Conversely, if you’re using a smaller pan, you might need to extend the baking time a bit. Always do the toothpick test to be sure!
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
You sure can! To make gluten-free cranberry bliss bars, simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Just make sure to choose a blend that includes xanthan gum or add it separately, as it helps mimic the texture of regular flour. Easy peasy!
Z nadrukami
Cranberry Bliss Bars: 10 Reasons to Indulge Today
- Całkowity Czas: 40 minutes
- Ustępować: 16 bars 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
Cranberry bliss bars are delicious dessert bars that combine the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of white chocolate and cream cheese.
Składniki
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instrukcje
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan.
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add egg and vanilla to the butter mixture and mix well.
- Gradually add the flour mixture and mix until combined.
- Fold in cranberries and white chocolate chips.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool before frosting.
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled bars.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Uwagi
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Can be frozen for longer storage.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less powdered sugar.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 25 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 bar
- Kalorie: 180
- Cukier: 12g
- Sód: 80mg
- Kwasy: 8g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 5g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 2g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 24g
- Włókno: 1g
- Białko: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Słowa kluczowe: cranberry bliss bars, dessert bars, cranberry recipes
