A sweet blondie bar cookie loaded with white chocolate chips and tart dried cranberries topped with a creamy orange cream cheese icing, more dried cranberries and a drizzle of white chocolate.
This recipe is from Laura’s, Real Mom Kitchen, third cookbook Christmas Desserts: Sweets of the Season. It’s a cute little cookbook filled with fun, easy to make desserts for the Christmas season.
These White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Bars are Laura’s version of the popular Cranberry Bliss Bars from Starbucks. My husband isn’t a big fan of ginger, so I substituted pumpkin pie spice for the ginger in the recipe.
The next time I make them, and I will be making them again, I think I’ll eliminate the pumpkin pie spice too. I really love the bright orange flavor in the frosting paired with the tart cranberries.
My sons loved these White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Bars. They were disappointed when they were gone so quickly. If fact, my oldest son suggested we give the recipe to my daughter so she’d make them and bring them to our annual family Christmas party. She’s been asked to bring dessert.
If you looking for some fun new dessert recipes, Christmas Desserts: Sweets of the Season is available now to help give you a jump on your holiday baking.
White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Bars
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ¼ cups brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ cup dried cranberries chopped
- ½ cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate
- 4 oz. cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon orange juice
- 2 tablespoon chopped dried cranberries
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 x 13 baking pan.
- In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt; set aside
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
- Add the flour mixture and stir just until combined.Fold in the chopped cranberries and white chocolate chips.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20–30 minutes until the bars are lightly brown on top and a tooth- pick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.
- Frosting
- Combine the frosting ingredients in a large bowl and beat together until smooth.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars.
- Sprinkle the chopped cranberries over the frosted bars and drizzle with ¼ cup melted white chocolate.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes and cut into bars.
- Serve cold or at room temperature. Store in the refrigerator.
Laura is also the author of the Real Mom Kitchen cookbook, and another fun little holiday cookbook, Warm Up Your Winter: Holiday Hot Chocolate and Cider Recipes.
Cecret
Barbara-these are fabulous!! I’ve made them twice since you posted the recipe, taking them to two different events. The second time I cut back the baking time by 5 minutes or so and they were a little moister. These are such a hit-Thank You!
Barbara Schieving
Thanks Cecret! I need to make them again and try it with the reduced time. So glad they were a hit 🙂
Linda
So funny you posted this now. My favorite Starbucks baristas know I bake and see me carrying treats to the office when I’m downtown. One of them mentioned earlier this week that the cranberry bliss bars were available and pointed them out. His comment, though, wasn’t “wouldn’t you like one?” but instead “I’m sure you can bake these and they will be even better”. HAHA
Can’t wait to prove him right! Thanks for a great recipe! I’m going to do two 8×8 pans to spread the love!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
This looks so good mum! Are you in the throes of Thanksgiving planning at the moment? I can’t wait to see what you make!
Barbara Schieving
I’ve had three Thanksgiving dinners already 🙂 I’ve been trying to perfect a pressure cooker turkey roulade. I’ve got a fabulous Cranberry Pecan Pie post going up on Saturday. Shall I set an extra place for you this year?
Ciao Florentina
Looks Amazing !!
Aimee @ Simple Bites
I love Laura’s recipes! This one looks fabulous for the holidays.
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
What a delicious looking bar. I love the flavor combo. They would compliment each other. Its that time of year when bars become part of my baking pattern.
Maria
Perfect holiday treat!
Cookin Canuck
These sound wonderful and I know I’m going to be craving one with my cup of tea today!
Rocky Mountain Woman
I love this time of year! Not that I need an excuse to bake, but it’s always nice to share with family, friends and neighbors. Cooking and baking are my favorite part of the holidays…
Carol
I’ve never had the original Starbucks version but this one sounds amazing. I love orange and cranberry-that combo tastes like the holiday season is here-time for me to get baking!
Joanna @ Everyday made Fresh
Cranberry and orange together, you can never go wrong! They just make the perfect pairing. Your bars look fabulous!
Jessica @ Sweet Menu
YUM! These look lovely! Bring on the Christmas treats!
Ala
You know, Barbara, I have yet to try the original but I’ve heard SO much about it–I’d really rather make these instead and I think I will! Thanks so much for sharing, this is going in the recipe file!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
They look so festive and delicious, Barbara.
Teresa
Wow, Barbara, these look so delicious.
Rosa
So pretty and tempting. A heavenly winter treat.
Cheers,
Rosa
angela@spinachtiger
Barbara, like pumpkin, I can’t get enough cranberries this time of year. These should make it the big dinner table.
Claire
I love the flavor combinations, and I hope mine looks just as nice.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
Asking for these for Christmas is a real sign that these bars are top notch. You only ask for your favorites for Christmas. I’ll go check that book out.
My Inner Chick
–All of these tastes & spices combined must feel like a birthday party inside one’s mouth!! xx