A Festive, Bakery-Style Holiday Dessert Favorite
The holiday season brings with it warmth, joy, and the irresistible scent of sweet treats baking in the oven. Among the most beloved seasonal desserts are Cranberry Bliss Bars—a soft, chewy, gently spiced bar loaded with white chocolate and cranberries, topped with velvety cream cheese frosting, and finished with a sprinkle of tart dried cranberries.
Inspired by the iconic café version, these bars are even better homemade. They’re moist, flavorful, beautifully festive, and incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, need a special dessert for a holiday gathering, or simply want a cozy treat with your winter coffee, these bars are guaranteed to shine on your dessert table.
Their bright cranberry topping and creamy frosting make them not only delicious but also visually stunning. This is the kind of recipe your readers will bookmark, share, and come back to every holiday season.
⭐ Ingredients
For the Bars:
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon orange zest (optional, but amazing!)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup white chocolate chips
¾ cup dried cranberries (Craisins), roughly chopped
For the Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange juice or milk (just to loosen the frosting)
For the Topping:
½ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
½ cup white chocolate, melted (for drizzling)
🎄 Instructions
1. Prep the Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
melted butter
brown sugar
granulated sugar
Add eggs, vanilla, and orange zest. Mix until smooth.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together:
flour
baking powder
salt
cinnamon
ginger
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and gently fold until just combined.
4. Add Mix-ins
Stir in:
white chocolate chips
chopped dried cranberries
Spread batter evenly into the baking pan.
5. Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is set and edges are lightly golden.
Do not overbake—bars should stay soft and chewy.
Let cool completely before frosting.
⭐ Make the Frosting
Beat together:
cream cheese
soft butter
powdered sugar
vanilla
orange juice/milk
Spread the creamy frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
🎀 Add the Toppings
Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries on top.
Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the frosting in zigzag lines.
Let the topping set for 10–15 minutes.
🔪 Slice & Serve
Cut into:
Squares for easy serving
Triangles for the classic coffee-shop style look
Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
They taste even better the next day!
💡 Tips for Perfect Cranberry Bliss Bars
Use high-quality white chocolate for best flavor.
Add extra zest if you love citrus notes.
Freeze unfrosted bars for up to 2 months.
Frosting must go on after the bars have fully cooled.
📌 Why Your Readers Will Love This Recipe
✔ No mixer needed for the bars
✔ Cozy spices + creamy topping
✔ Picture-perfect holiday dessert
✔ Great for parties, gifting, or snacking