Description
Soft and chewy bars with a delightful blend of cranberries and white chocolate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chunks
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (for topping)
- 1/4 cup white chocolate, melted (for drizzle)
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is warming up, line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Be sure to grease the sides lightly to facilitate easier removal after baking.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until you achieve a light and fluffy texture. This process usually takes about 3-5 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed. Creaming is vital, as it helps to incorporate air into the mixture, resulting in a lighter bar.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, ensuring thorough incorporation after each addition. Follow up with the vanilla extract and fragrant orange zest. The orange zest adds a lovely citrus note and enhances the overall flavor profile, so don’t skip this step!
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures that the baking powder is evenly distributed within the flour mixture for a balanced rise in your bars.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined; be careful not to overmix, as this could result in dense bars. The mixture should be thick but smooth.
- Using a spatula, fold in the white chocolate chunks and dried cranberries, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with your spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20–24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The edges will be lightly golden, and the center should appear set but not overbaked.
- Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. While the bars cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Once the bars are cool, spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the top.
- Sprinkle the remaining dried cranberries over the frosted bars for added texture and a pop of color. For the finishing touch, drizzle melted white chocolate on top, creating beautiful patterns for an eye-catching presentation.
- For cleaner cuts and to improve the flavor melding, chill the bars in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before slicing them into triangles. This step ensures you have sharp edges and makes them easier to handle.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Protein: 3 g