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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Bars from Christmas Desserts – Sweets of the Season Cookbook

    Published by Melissa on November 15, 2014 | Updated June 10, 2022 | 22 Comments

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    Featured Image for post White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Bars from Christmas Desserts – Sweets of the Season Cookbook

    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. 

    Christmas Desserts – Sweets of the Season Cookbook

    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.

    White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Bars - if you love Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars, you'll love these.

    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.

    Featured Image for post White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Bars from Christmas Desserts – Sweets of the Season Cookbook
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    White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Bars

    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Bar Cookies
    Keyword: baking, Chocolate, cookie
    Servings: 24 bars
    Author: Barbara Schieving
    Prevent your screen from going to sleep

    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.

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    About Melissa & Barbara

    As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cecret

      November 25, 2014 at 6:07 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        November 25, 2014 at 6:44 pm

        Thanks Cecret! I need to make them again and try it with the reduced time. So glad they were a hit 🙂

        Reply
    2. Linda

      November 21, 2014 at 9:07 am

      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!

      Reply
    3. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

      November 19, 2014 at 10:08 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        November 20, 2014 at 7:47 am

        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?

        Reply
    4. Ciao Florentina

      November 18, 2014 at 8:41 pm

      Looks Amazing !!

      Reply
    5. Aimee @ Simple Bites

      November 18, 2014 at 7:37 am

      I love Laura’s recipes! This one looks fabulous for the holidays.

      Reply
    6. Carol at Wild Goose Tea

      November 17, 2014 at 3:12 pm

      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.

      Reply
    7. Maria

      November 17, 2014 at 10:58 am

      Perfect holiday treat!

      Reply
    8. Cookin Canuck

      November 17, 2014 at 10:05 am

      These sound wonderful and I know I’m going to be craving one with my cup of tea today!

      Reply
    9. Rocky Mountain Woman

      November 17, 2014 at 8:37 am

      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…

      Reply
    10. Carol

      November 17, 2014 at 7:48 am

      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!

      Reply
    11. Joanna @ Everyday made Fresh

      November 17, 2014 at 5:43 am

      Cranberry and orange together, you can never go wrong! They just make the perfect pairing. Your bars look fabulous!

      Reply
    12. Jessica @ Sweet Menu

      November 16, 2014 at 8:41 pm

      YUM! These look lovely! Bring on the Christmas treats!

      Reply
    13. Ala

      November 16, 2014 at 2:18 pm

      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!

      Reply
    14. Angie@Angie's Recipes

      November 16, 2014 at 3:16 am

      They look so festive and delicious, Barbara.

      Reply
    15. Teresa

      November 15, 2014 at 7:51 pm

      Wow, Barbara, these look so delicious.

      Reply
    16. Rosa

      November 15, 2014 at 6:17 pm

      So pretty and tempting. A heavenly winter treat.

      Cheers,

      Rosa

      Reply
    17. angela@spinachtiger

      November 15, 2014 at 2:14 pm

      Barbara, like pumpkin, I can’t get enough cranberries this time of year. These should make it the big dinner table.

      Reply
    18. Claire

      November 15, 2014 at 1:55 pm

      I love the flavor combinations, and I hope mine looks just as nice.

      Reply
    19. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

      November 15, 2014 at 1:04 pm

      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.

      Reply
    20. My Inner Chick

      November 15, 2014 at 12:52 pm

      –All of these tastes & spices combined must feel like a birthday party inside one’s mouth!! xx

      Reply

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