Cranberry Bliss Bars Orange (Print-Friendly Version)

Soft bars featuring white chocolate, orange zest, and tart cranberries, finished with a creamy frosting.

# Ingredients List:

→ Bars

01 - 200 grams granulated sugar
02 - 1 tablespoon orange zest (approximately zest from 1 orange)
03 - 220 grams dark brown sugar, packed (light brown sugar acceptable)
04 - 225 grams unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
07 - 280 grams all-purpose flour
08 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
09 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon or ground ginger
12 - 170 grams white chocolate chips
13 - 120 grams dried cranberries

→ Frosting

14 - 170 grams white chocolate chips
15 - 1 tablespoon coconut oil
16 - 225 grams full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
17 - 190 grams powdered sugar, plus more as needed
18 - 1 tablespoon orange zest
19 - 30 grams dried cranberries, roughly chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 175°C. Line a 23x33 cm baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring overhang for easy removal.
02 - Combine granulated sugar and orange zest in a large mixing bowl. Rub together with fingertips to infuse orange oils.
03 - Add brown sugar to orange sugar mix and stir to combine. Pour in melted butter and whisk with sugars until a smooth paste forms.
04 - Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract; whisk until homogeneous.
05 - Sift together flour, baking powder, cornstarch, salt, and ground cinnamon or ginger. Add to wet mixture and gently fold just until combined; avoid overmixing.
06 - Gently fold white chocolate chips and dried cranberries into batter.
07 - Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 23–25 minutes or until golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean. Do not overbake.
08 - Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack until completely cooled.
09 - In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips and coconut oil in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Set aside.
10 - In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and orange zest until smooth and creamy. Blend in half of the melted white chocolate mixture.
11 - Evenly spread frosting over the cooled bars.
12 - Sprinkle chopped dried cranberries over the frosting. Drizzle remaining melted white chocolate atop and garnish with extra orange zest if desired. Allow chocolate to set.
13 - For clean edges, chill frosted bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before slicing into 18 portions with a sharp knife.

# Extra Tips:

01 - For best texture, store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week; bring to room temperature before serving.
02 - Bars freeze well: freeze individually and store separated by parchment paper in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator or on the counter before enjoying.
03 - Short-term storage at room temperature (up to several hours) is suitable, but for extended freshness, refrigerate due to the cream cheese frosting.

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