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White Chocolate Orange Cranberry Bliss Bars

White Chocolate Orange Cranberry Bliss Bars - featured image
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These easy homemade bars combine creamy white chocolate, bright orange zest, and tart cranberries for a chewy, crowd-pleasing treat. Perfect for bake sales, holiday gifting, or cozy gatherings, they come together quickly and offer a nostalgic citrus twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated orange zest (about 1 large orange)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 1/4 cups white chocolate chips
  • 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (optional, for glaze)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. Lightly grease the paper. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract and orange zest.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing on low until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Gently fold in dried cranberries and white chocolate chips (plus nuts or cinnamon, if using) with a spatula.
  6. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
  7. Bake for 23–27 minutes, until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
  8. Cool bars in pan for 10 minutes, then lift out by parchment and place on a wire rack. Cool fully (about 40 minutes) before glazing.
  9. For glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth. Drizzle evenly over cooled bars.
  10. Once glaze sets (about 15 minutes), cut into squares or triangles. Serve.

Notes

For gluten-free bars, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Room temperature butter and eggs yield the best texture. Don’t overmix after adding flour. For extra flavor, sprinkle flaky salt on the glaze while wet. Bars freeze well for up to 2 months. Use fresh cranberries for a tart twist (toss in sugar before adding).

Nutrition

Keywords: white chocolate, orange, cranberry, bliss bars, dessert bars, easy baking, holiday treats, bake sale, citrus, chewy bars

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/white-chocolate-orange-cranberry-bliss-bars-easy-homemade-treats/