Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat

$- 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped - 1/2 cup white chocolate chips - 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional) - For the Cream Cheese Frosting: - 4 oz cream cheese, softened - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup powdered sugar - 1 tablespoon orange juice - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract - Extra dried cranberries and white chocolate shavings for garnish To make these delicious bars, gather all your ingredients first. I enjoy the ease of having everything ready. The dry ingredients form a solid base. The wet ingredients bring life and flavor. Finally, the add-ins and toppings give the bars their unique twist. The all-purpose flour is your main ingredient. It gives structure to the bars. Baking powder and baking soda help them rise. The salt balances the sweetness. For the wet ingredients, the butter adds richness. Brown sugar gives a deep flavor, while granulated sugar adds sweetness. The eggs bind everything together. Vanilla extract adds warmth. Add-ins like chopped dried cranberries add tartness. White chocolate chips bring sweetness and creaminess. If you like, pecans add a nice crunch. The cream cheese frosting is the star. Cream cheese and butter make it creamy. Powdered sugar sweetens it and gives the right texture. Orange juice adds a bright flavor. A touch of vanilla enhances the taste. Finally, garnish with extra cranberries and white chocolate shavings for a pretty finish. With all these tasty ingredients, you can create bars that everyone will love! - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). - Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Leave some paper overhang for easy removal. - In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside. - In a large mixing bowl, cream 1/2 cup of softened butter, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. Mix on medium speed until light and fluffy, which takes about 2-3 minutes. - Add 2 large eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. - Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined. - Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped dried cranberries, 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips, and 1/4 cup of chopped pecans if you like. Make sure they are evenly spread. - Spread the batter into the prepared dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean. To get the best texture, start with creaming the butter and sugar. Use softened butter and mix it well with brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat them together until the mix is light and fluffy. This step adds air to your bars. Air helps them rise and stay soft. Do not overmix the batter. Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make your bars tough. You want them soft and chewy, not hard. For the cream cheese frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar slowly to avoid a messy kitchen. Then, stir in orange juice and vanilla for flavor. This will give you a smooth and creamy frosting. To get an even layer of frosting, use a spatula. Start from the middle and spread out toward the edges. This way, you cover the entire top. If you want a neat look, dip the spatula in warm water before spreading. Garnish your bars with dried cranberries and chocolate shavings. This adds color and texture. Place the cranberries in clusters on top. Sprinkle the shavings over everything for a fancy touch. When serving, cut the bars into squares or rectangles. Use a sharp knife for clean edges. Serve them on a pretty plate to impress your guests. These small steps make a big difference in presentation. {{image_2}} You can easily customize these bars with different ingredients. If you want a gluten-free version, try using almond flour. It gives a nice texture and flavor. You can also swap out nuts. Instead of pecans, use walnuts or almonds. This change can add a new twist to the bars. To boost the flavor, consider adding spices. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can make a big difference. These spices add warmth and depth. You can also add zest from citrus fruits like oranges or lemons. This gives a fresh twist that brightens the bars. If you want a dairy-free option, there are great swaps. Use vegan butter instead of regular butter. For the cream cheese frosting, try using a dairy-free cream cheese. These changes keep the bars tasty and creamy without the dairy. To keep your cranberry bliss bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This method helps maintain their soft texture and flavor. Make sure the bars cool completely before sealing them up. They will last for about 3 to 4 days. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them. Freezing individual bars is a great way to enjoy them later. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This helps prevent freezer burn. They can stay fresh for up to three months. When you are ready to eat them, just take out the amount you want. To thaw frozen bars, simply leave them in the fridge overnight. If you need them faster, you can let them sit at room temperature for a couple of hours. For a warm treat, you can microwave them for about 10-15 seconds. This warms them up without drying them out. Enjoy your delicious bars any time! You can use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour. Some great choices are: - Almond flour - Coconut flour - Oat flour - Gluten-free all-purpose flour Each type may change the taste and texture a bit. Almond flour gives a nutty taste. Coconut flour absorbs more moisture, so use less of it. Gluten-free all-purpose flour is the easiest swap, as it mimics regular flour well. Yes, you can swap cranberries for other fruits. Here are some tasty options: - Dried cherries - Dried blueberries - Raisins - Chopped apples Using seasonal fruits adds freshness. For fall, try diced apples or pears. In summer, dried cherries taste great. If you want a different frosting, here are some good substitutes: - Mascarpone cheese - Greek yogurt - Non-dairy cream cheese - Whipped coconut cream Mascarpone is rich and creamy. Greek yogurt is tangy and lighter. Non-dairy cream cheese works well for a vegan option. Whipped coconut cream gives a light texture. Choose what fits your diet and taste! These bars are fun to make and share. We explored ingredients, steps, tips, and variations. Don’t forget to try different flavors and add-ins. You can even make them gluten-free or dairy-free. Store them right for lasting freshness. With these tips, you can create a tasty treat. Enjoy your time baking and experimenting with all the options! Happy baking!$

Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat

Indulge in the festive flavors of Cranberry Bliss Bars Delight! These easy-to-make treats combine sweet cranberries, creamy white chocolate, and delightful cream cheese frosting perfect for any occasion. With simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions, you'll impress your friends and family in no time. Ready to satisfy your sweet tooth? Dive into the full recipe now! #CranberryBlissBars #BakingDelights #HolidayTreats #DessertRecipes

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Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon orange juice

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Extra dried cranberries and white chocolate shavings for garnish

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).

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

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.

Fold in the chopped dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and pecans (if using) until evenly distributed.

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment paper and let them cool completely on a wire rack.

For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, followed by the orange juice and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and fluffy.

Once the cranberry bars are completely cool, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over the top.

Garnish with extra dried cranberries and white chocolate shavings for an appealing finish.

Cut into squares or bars and serve.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 12 bars