Easy And Festive Cranberry Bars
This Cranberry Bars recipe is my go-to for a comforting, home-baked delight. Starting with the rich, melted butter and brown sugar base, each bar is studded with tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate chips, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. Topped with a creamy, dreamy cream cheese icing and a sprinkle of vibrant orange zest, every bite takes you on a delightful journey of taste and texture.
Unsalted Butter: Gives the bars a rich, creamy texture. You can substitute with margarine or salted butter (just reduce the added salt). Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor. You can use white sugar, but you’ll miss the depth that brown sugar brings. Eggs: Act as a binding agent, giving the bars structure. In a pinch, you can use a commercial egg replacer or flax eggs. Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the bars. All-Purpose Flour: The base of the bars, providing structure. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend. Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise and become fluffy. There’s no direct substitute, so it’s best not to skip it. Salt: Balances the sweetness. If using salted butter, you can skip this. Cranberries: Offer a tart contrast to the sweet bars. You can use dried or fresh, and if you don’t have cranberries, dried apricots or raisins could work. White Chocolate Chips: Add creamy sweetness. You can substitute with dark or milk chocolate chips.
Cream Cheese: Creates a rich, creamy icing. I prefer to use Philadelphia for all my cream cheese icings. Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the icing and makes it smooth. Vanilla Extract: Adds flavor to the icing. Dried Cranberries: These are optional to top the bars with but I like the festive look it gives them. Orange Zest (for garnish): Optional as well, but cranberries and orange are a match made in heaven.
You’re going to love how easy these Cranberry Bars are to make. They’re the perfect mix of tart and sweet. Let’s get started. Let’s get your oven warmed up to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and either grease it up or line it with parchment paper. ake your melted unsalted butter and brown sugar, and mix them together until they’re nice and smooth. Crack in those eggs and splash in the vanilla extract, giving it a good mix. In another bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, and just a touch of salt. Slowly add these dry ingredients to your wet mix. Then, gently fold in the cranberries and white chocolate chips. Spread that batter evenly into your prepared pan. Pop it into the oven and let it bake for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for a lovely golden edge and a toothpick that comes out clean from the center. Once done, let the bars cool completely in the pan. Grab your cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat them together until you’ve got a smooth and creamy icing. When your bars have cooled down, spread the icing over the top. Then, for that final flair, sprinkle on some chopped dried cranberries and a bit of orange zest. Now cut them into squares and enjoy!
Storage
These cranberry bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last a bit longer, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just make sure they’re well covered to keep them fresh and delicious. These bars also freeze well, both with and without the icing. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and they’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Looking For More Holiday Treats?
Linzer Cookies Red Velvet Sheet Cake Bread Pudding Amaretti Cookies Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce
