Cranberry Bliss Bars Orange

Cranberry Bliss Bars are my go-to treat for any holiday gathering or afternoon coffee break. The sweet-tart combo of dried cranberries and creamy white chocolate makes each bite irresistible while the orange zest brings just the right brightness. This recipe comes together in one bowl with no mixer required so you get bakery style bars in no time.

The first batch I made for a friend's cookie swap quickly vanished before the party began. These bars are now a must-bake every December and everyone pleads for the recipe.

Ingredients

• Granulated sugar: fresh, shelf stable and blends with orange zest to amplify flavor
• Orange zest: always use from a fresh orange for the most aroma
• Dark brown sugar: packed for extra chew and caramel notes, can swap with light brown sugar
• Unsalted butter: choose high quality for rich flavor, melt gently and let cool
• Eggs: large, at room temperature for even mixing
• Vanilla extract: pure vanilla gives classic bakery fragrance
• All purpose flour: unbleached for the best structure, measure by spoon and level
• Baking powder: for lift, check that it is fresh
• Cornstarch: ensures soft, tender crumb, do not skip
• Salt: kosher salt brings forward all flavors
• Ground cinnamon or ginger: adds subtle warmth, use freshly ground if available
• White chocolate chips: choose good quality for creamy, melty pockets
• Dried cranberries: tangy and sweet, look for plump ones without added oil
• For frosting
• White chocolate chips: premium variety, melts best
• Coconut oil: helps the chocolate drizzle and set smoothly
• Cream cheese: full fat gives rich, smooth spread, let it soften ahead
• Powdered sugar: sifted for fluffiness, add more by spoon for desired thickness
• Orange zest: to tie in citrus flavor
• Dried cranberries: for topping, roughly chopped, choose bright colored ones

Instructions

Prepare Your Pan:

Line a nine by thirteen inch baking dish with parchment and preheat your oven to three hundred fifty degrees fahrenheit. Allow some overhang for easy lifting after baking.

Make Orange Sugar:

Place granulated sugar and orange zest in a large bowl. Rub with fingertips until zest is evenly dispersed and sweet floral aroma rises up.

Cream Sugars and Butter:

Add dark brown sugar to bowl then pour in cooled melted butter. Whisk strongly for one minute until mixture looks thick and glossy.

Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla:

Break in eggs one at a time then add vanilla. Whisk just until mixture is smooth and fully combined.

Add Dry Ingredients:

Scatter flour, baking powder, cornstarch, salt and cinnamon over wet base. Fold gently using a spatula stopping as soon as you see no more dry flour. Dough will be thick.

Mix in Goodies:

Sprinkle in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. Fold just to distribute evenly through batter.

Spread and Bake:

Transfer thick batter to prepared pan and smooth to edges. Place in oven and bake for about twenty-three to twenty-five minutes just until golden brown and a toothpick tests clean from the center. The center may look slightly underbaked that is perfect for chewy bars.

Cool Completely:

Remove pan from oven and let bars cool fully in pan. This step ensures clean thick slices.

Make Frosting:

In a microwave safe bowl melt white chocolate chips with coconut oil stopping every thirty seconds to stir until smooth. In another bowl beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and orange zest until light and creamy. Fold in half of melted white chocolate into frosting.

Frost and Decorate:

Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over cooled bars. Sprinkle chopped cranberries over top. Drizzle with remaining melted chocolate using a fork or a piping bag for delicate lines. Finish with more orange zest if desired.

Chill and Slice:

Let bars chill for thirty minutes in fridge for crisp edges. Lift out using parchment and slice into triangles or bars with a sharp knife.

I love the bright flecks of orange zest throughout the bars the aroma always takes me back to cold December weekends baking with my sister and giggling as we snuck tastes from the mixing bowl.

Storage Tips

These bars are safest stored in the refrigerator thanks to the cream cheese frosting but they stay soft even after chilling. If you want the most decadent texture bring them out twenty minutes before serving. For longer storage freeze cut bars with parchment between layers in a tight container and thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter. They never last long at my house so I always double the batch to have backups stashed away.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap ground ginger for cinnamon for a little zing or use orange extract if you run low on fresh zest. Light brown sugar works in place of dark but the bars will be slightly less caramel flavored. Vegan butter and dairy free cream cheese can be used for an allergen friendly variation. The key is keeping the white chocolate and cranberry combo front and center.

Serving Suggestions

These are perfect beside hot coffee or tea and look beautiful arranged on a winter dessert tray. Serve as large squares for a showstopper treat or cut into slim triangles for bite sized nibbles. Add a little twist with a sprinkle of flaky salt or dusting of more powdered sugar on top. Around the holidays I love pairing these with orange infused cocktails or mulled wine for a dreamy dessert spread.

Cultural and Historical Context

Cranberry Bliss Bars first became iconic at coffeehouse bakeries popularized for their festive color and sweet tart flavor profile. Cranberries have a long history in North American holiday baking symbolizing both abundance and wintertime cheer. White chocolate brings a creamy balance making these bars a modern take on classic American flavors.

Seasonal Adaptations

Switch it up for spring with chopped dried strawberries and lemon zest. Try mixing in pistachios for winter green flecks and crunch. In summer echo the citrus with a lime and berry combo for a fresh twist.

These bars are the first to disappear at every gathering. Enjoy baking and sharing them all season long!

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I prevent the bars from overbaking?

Bake until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Watch during the last few minutes to avoid dryness.

→ Can I substitute the white chocolate chips?

Yes, semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips work, though the flavor profile and sweetness will change.

→ Is it possible to freeze these bars?

Cranberry Bliss Bars freeze well. Layer them with parchment paper in an airtight container for 2–3 months.

→ Why use orange zest in the batter and frosting?

Orange zest infuses both the bars and frosting with fresh citrus flavor that complements the cranberries and chocolate.

→ Can these be made ahead for events?

Absolutely. Prep bars one day ahead and store airtight in the fridge. For best flavor, serve at room temperature.