Cranberry Bliss Bars mit Orange

These Cranberry Bliss Bars are a festive delight, combining a rich, buttery base with the tart pop of dried cranberries and sweet white chocolate. Perfectly soft and chewy, they are crowned with a velvety orange-infused cream cheese frosting and a signature drizzle, making them a stunning addition to any holiday dessert spread or a cozy afternoon treat.

Merken

The combination of brown sugar and butter gives these bars a deep, caramel-like undertone that pairs beautifully with the brightness of the orange zest. Whether you cut them into classic squares or festive triangles, they are guaranteed to disappear quickly from the dessert table.

Ingredients

• Bar Base: 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup (200 g) packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar; 3 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (120 g) dried cranberries, chopped; 1/2 cup (90 g) white chocolate chips
• Orange Cream Cheese Frosting: 1/2 cup (113 g) cream cheese, softened; 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar; 1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 orange); 2 tablespoons orange juice
• Topping: 1/4 cup (45 g) dried cranberries, chopped (optional); 1/3 cup (60 g) white chocolate, melted (optional)

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Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–5 minutes.

Step 3

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined (do not overmix).

Step 6

Fold in chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips with a spatula.

Step 7

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top.

Step 8

Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges are golden brown.

Step 9

Allow bars to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift out using the parchment and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

While the bars cool, prepare the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Mix in orange zest and orange juice until creamy and spreadable.

Step 11

Once completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the bars.

Step 12

If desired, sprinkle with additional chopped dried cranberries. Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top using a spoon or piping bag.

Step 13

Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For the best texture, ensure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before starting. When mixing the dry ingredients, be careful not to overwork the dough; mixing just until combined ensures the bars remain tender and soft rather than dense.

Varianten und Anpassungen

Customize your bars by adding 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger to the batter for a warm, spicy kick. If you prefer a different fruit profile, dried cherries or chopped dried apricots can be used as a delicious substitute for the cranberries.

Serviervorschläge

For a clean cut, chill the frosted bars in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Arrange them on a platter with extra orange zest or fresh sprigs of mint for a professional, festive look that is perfect for holiday entertaining.

Merken

With their vibrant colors and refreshing citrus aroma, these Cranberry Bliss Bars are more than just a dessert—they are a holiday tradition in the making. Enjoy the perfect bite of seasonal sweetness!

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Häufige Fragen zum Rezept

→ Wie lange können die Cranberry Bliss Bars aufbewahrt werden?

Die Riegeln halten sich in einem luftdichten Behälter im Kühlschrank bis zu einer Woche. Tatsächlich entwickeln sie durch das Ziehen im Kühlschrank noch mehr Geschmack und werden besonders am zweiten Tag noch besser.

→ Kann ich die Cranberries durch andere Früchte ersetzen?

Ja, getrocknete Kirschen oder gehackte Aprikosen eignen sich hervorragend als Alternative zu Cranberries. Achten Sie darauf, dass die Früchte similarly gehackt sind, damit sie sich gleichmäßig im Teig verteilen.

→ Warum müssen die Riegeln vollständig abkühlen vor dem Frosting?

Das vollständige Abkühlen ist wichtig, da sich das Orangen-Cream-Cheese-Frosting sonst auf warmen Riegeln verflüssigen würde. Nur auf vollständig abgekühlten Riegeln bleibt das Frosting cremig und stabil.

→ Wie schmilze ich die weiße Schokolade für das Topping?

Schmelzen Sie die weiße Schokolade in der Mikrowelle in 15-Sekunden-Intervallen und rühren Sie zwischendurch gründlich um. So verbrennt die Schokolade nicht und wird schön glatt für das Dekorieren.

→ Kann ich den Teil vor dem Backen vorbereiten?

Der ungebackene Teil kann bis zu 24 Stunden im Kühlschrank gelagert werden. Lassen Sie ihn vor dem Backen etwa 30 Minuten bei Raumtemperatur stehen, damit er sich leichter in der Form verteilen lässt.