Name: Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 52 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter melted; 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons orange zest; 1 cup white chocolate chips; 3/4 cup dried cranberries; 6 ounces white baking chocolate; 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, brick-style; 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1-2 tablespoons whipping cream; 2 ounces white chocolate; 2 tablespoons dried cranberries

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 19 reviews

If you’re craving a dessert that’s both festive and utterly comforting, you’ve got to try my Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe. These bars are like a hug in dessert form—moist, chewy, with bursts of tangy cranberries and creamy white chocolate that just melt in your mouth. Whether you’re making them for a cozy night in or a holiday gathering, this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic, and I can’t wait to share all my tips to help you nail it perfectly.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Flavors: The tart dried cranberries perfectly cut through the sweet white chocolate for a harmonious bite every time.
Moist Texture: Using melted butter and light brown sugar adds moisture and depth, keeping the bars soft and chewy.
Creamy Frosting: The white chocolate cream cheese frosting takes these bars from great to absolutely unforgettable.
Easy to Customize: You can easily tweak the zest, chocolate, or cranberries to make it your own signature dessert.

Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars, cranberry white chocolate bars, festive dessert bars, easy holiday treats, moist white chocolate bars - A rectangular layered dessert lies on white parchment paper inside a glass baking dish on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is golden brown, thin, and even. On top is a thick, smooth white frosting layer covering the entire surface. Thin white icing lines are drizzled across the frosting, forming a light grid pattern. Scattered over the top are small dried red fruit pieces, evenly spaced, adding bright red spots to the white frosting. The cloth nearby has green, red, and dark colors in a check pattern. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe was chosen for a reason — whether it’s flavor, texture, or that magical chemistry that makes these bars so addictive. Shopping tip? Look for good quality dried cranberries and real white baking chocolate for maximum flavor.

Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars, cranberry white chocolate bars, festive dessert bars, easy holiday treats, moist white chocolate bars - Flat lay of a small mound of light brown sugar, a few whole uncracked brown eggs, a small pile of all-purpose flour, a small heap of white chocolate chips, a few dried cranberries scattered, two small white bowls—one with melted unsalted butter, one with vanilla extract, a few strips of fresh orange zest, a block of brick-style full-fat cream cheese, a small mound of powdered sugar, a small white bowl with whipping cream, and a few small chunks of white baking chocolate placed on a simple white ceramic plate, all arranged with perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Melting it intensifies the buttery richness and helps create that chewy texture.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor that balances perfectly with tart cranberries.
Eggs: Provide structure and moisture without weighing down the bars.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors, making everything taste more rounded and cozy.
All-purpose Flour: The backbone — gives these bars their tender crumb.
Baking Powder & Salt: Raise and season the bars just right.
Orange Zest: Adds a fresh burst of citrus aroma that brightens the whole bar.
White Chocolate Chips: Sweet bursts of creamy melted goodness amid the chewy base.
Dried Cranberries: Tangy-chewy bites that complement the chocolate brilliantly.
White Baking Chocolate (for frosting): I recommend this over chips for a smoother, creamier texture in the frosting.
Cream Cheese: Use brick-style full-fat for tangy richness and the right consistency in the frosting.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting evenly.
Whipping Cream: Lightens the frosting to the perfect spreadable texture.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the most fun things about this Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe is how flexible it is. I like to play around with ingredients depending on the season or occasion, and I encourage you to make it your own!

Variation: I’ve swapped orange zest for lemon zest for a slightly brighter zing that wakes up the whole bar, especially nice in spring.
Dietary Swap: For gluten-free friends, I tested a 1:1 gluten-free flour replacement—it works well, just be sure to adjust baking time slightly.
More Texture: Adding chopped pecans is a game-changer if you love a little crunch in your bars.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Pan Ready & Mix the Wet Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 inch pan with non-stick spray, then line it with parchment paper leaving a little overhang on the sides—that makes lifting out the bars a breeze when they’re done. In a large bowl, I beat together melted butter and brown sugar until it’s silky smooth. This part smells amazing and sets the stage for moist, flavorful bars.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients & Fold in Mix-ins

Next, mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until fully combined. Then, switch to low speed and gradually add flour, baking powder, and salt. Finally, stir in the orange zest, white chocolate chips, and dried cranberries. I like to fold those in by hand at the end to avoid over-mixing, which keeps the bars tender.

Step 3: Bake & Cool

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Resist the urge to over-bake—these bars are best when they’re just set and soft inside. Once done, let them cool completely while you make the frosting.

Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

Chop the white baking chocolate finely and melt it gently in the microwave—use medium power and stir every 45 seconds to prevent burning. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth, then slowly beat in the melted white chocolate. Add powdered sugar bit by bit and whip in 1-2 tablespoons of whipping cream until fluffy but spreadable. Don’t rush this step—it’s what makes the frosting so dreamy!

Step 5: Frost and Finish with Toppings

Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. For the finishing touch, melt a little more white chocolate and drizzle it over the top, then sprinkle extra dried cranberries for color and flavor bursts. When it’s time to slice, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for neat, show-stopping bars.

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Pro Tips for Making Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe

Use Fresh Zest: Always zest the orange right before mixing to lock in that bright citrus aroma.
Don’t Skip Parchment: Lining your pan with parchment and spraying it makes clean removal and cleanup so much easier.
Melt Chocolate Gently: Medium heat in short bursts is key to smooth, lump-free melted chocolate for frosting.
Cool Bars Completely: Frosting warm bars causes it to melt and slide right off—patience pays!

How to Serve Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe

Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars, cranberry white chocolate bars, festive dessert bars, easy holiday treats, moist white chocolate bars - A single slice of cake is shown on a white decorative plate with small cut-out patterns. The cake has two clear layers: a dense golden-brown base with visible small dark red dried fruit pieces inside, and a thick smooth white icing layer on top, decorated with a white grid pattern and scattered dark red dried fruit pieces. The plate rests on a wooden surface with a blurred part of the whole cake and a red and green fabric in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with extra dried cranberries and a drizzle of white chocolate as garnishes because they add that pretty pop of color and hint of extra sweetness. If you want to get fancy, a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios adds a lovely green contrast and a little crunch.

Side Dishes

These bliss bars pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a glass of cold milk. For a festive brunch spread, I like adding them alongside fresh fruit and yogurt parfaits—they balance out richer flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these bars on a tiered dessert tray surrounded by fresh rosemary sprigs and sugared cranberries. It’s simple but looks stunning and instantly festive. You can also wrap individual bars in wax paper and tie with a ribbon for edible gifts that wow.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I stash leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge—they stay fresh for up to a week, making it easy to enjoy throughout the week without losing that soft, dreamy texture.

Freezing

If you want to freeze, bake and cool the bars first, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil. They freeze beautifully for up to two months. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight and frost fresh the next day for best results.

Reheating

Since these bars are best eaten cool due to the frosting, I usually don’t reheat. But if you like warm bars, skip the frosting before freezing and warm them gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, then add frosting after reheating.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Fresh cranberries contain a lot more moisture, which can affect the texture of the bars, making them wetter and potentially soggy. If you want to use fresh, I recommend chopping them finely and tossing with a bit of flour to absorb some moisture before adding, but dried cranberries are best here for that chewy tart bite.
What can I substitute for white baking chocolate in the frosting?

If white baking chocolate isn’t available, high-quality white chocolate chips can work, but be aware they sometimes contain stabilizers that affect melting quality. Look for a chip or bar labeled for baking for the smoothest frosting texture.
How do I get clean slices with these bars?

Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang, place on a cutting board, and slice with a sharp knife. Wiping the knife clean between each cut prevents frosting build-up on the blade, giving you pretty, clean edges every time.
Can I make these bars vegan or dairy-free?

Yes, with some swaps! Use vegan butter and egg replacer in the batter, plus a vegan cream cheese alternative for the frosting. Just make sure your white chocolate is also dairy-free—there are some great brands out there nowadays.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, these Cranberry White Chocolate Bliss Bars Recipe hold a soft spot in my heart—they’ve become my go-to whenever I want to impress without fussing. The blend of tart cranberries with the sugary sweetness of white chocolate and that luscious frosting always gets rave reviews. So go ahead, give this recipe a whirl in your kitchen. I promise, you’ll enjoy every bite as much as I do sharing it with you.