Cranberry White Chocolate Bars
Delicious bars combining tart cranberries and rich white chocolate with a creamy frosting.
Equipment
- Stand Mixer For creaming and mixing ingredients.
- 9x13-inch baking pan For baking the bars.
- Parchment paper To line the baking pan.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold
- 1 cup sugar
- 0.5 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons fresh orange zest
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.75 cup white chocolate chips
- 0.75 cup dried cranberries
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.67 cup dried cranberries
- 0.5 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave an overhang on two sides for easy removal later.
- In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the cold butter, sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2 minutes. This step is crucial for creating a good texture.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract and fresh orange zest for a delightful aroma.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Gradually incorporate this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Stir in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries gently. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan, pressing it into an even layer.
- Bake the bars for about 25 minutes, or until they are fully set and golden brown. Once baked, let them cool completely in the pan.
- For the topping, beat the cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Once the bars have cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle additional dried cranberries on top for a pop of color and sweetness.
- Melt the remaining white chocolate chips in the microwave until smooth and drizzle it over the bars. Allow the chocolate to set before slicing.
- Slice the bars into squares and serve. Enjoy your delicious Cranberry White Chocolate Bars!
Notes
For a festive touch, sprinkle some orange zest on top before serving.