Cranberry Bars
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This Cranberry Bars recipe is all about bringing the warmth of home-baked goodness to your kitchen, combining the rustic charm of cranberries with creamy, dreamy icing. It’s an easy, down-to-earth treat that’s perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Easy And Festive Cranberry Bars
This Cranberry Bars recipe is my go-to for a comforting, home-baked delight. Starting with the rich, melted butter and brown sugar base, each bar is studded with tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate chips, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. Topped with a creamy, dreamy cream cheese icing and a sprinkle of vibrant orange zest, every bite takes you on a delightful journey of taste and texture.
Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Bars
- Tastes Great: The mix of tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate in these bars is really yummy. Everyone will love the flavor!
- Easy to Make: This recipe is simple and doesn’t need fancy ingredients or steps, so anyone can make these bars without any trouble.
- Good for Any Time: These bars are perfect for any event – from family snacks to party treats, as well as your holiday table. They’re always a hit wherever you take them!
- Unsalted Butter: Gives the bars a rich, creamy texture. You can substitute with margarine or salted butter (just reduce the added salt).
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor. You can use white sugar, but you’ll miss the depth that brown sugar brings.
- Eggs: Act as a binding agent, giving the bars structure. In a pinch, you can use a commercial egg replacer or flax eggs.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the bars.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of the bars, providing structure. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend.
- Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise and become fluffy. There’s no direct substitute, so it’s best not to skip it.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness. If using salted butter, you can skip this.
- Cranberries: Offer a tart contrast to the sweet bars. You can use dried or fresh, and if you don’t have cranberries, dried apricots or raisins could work.
- White Chocolate Chips: Add creamy sweetness. You can substitute with dark or milk chocolate chips.
- Cream Cheese: Creates a rich, creamy icing. I prefer to use Philadelphia for all my cream cheese icings.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the icing and makes it smooth.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds flavor to the icing.
- Dried Cranberries: These are optional to top the bars with but I like the festive look it gives them.
- Orange Zest (for garnish): Optional as well, but cranberries and orange are a match made in heaven.
You’re going to love how easy these Cranberry Bars are to make. They’re the perfect mix of tart and sweet. Let’s get started.
Let’s get your oven warmed up to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and either grease it up or line it with parchment paper.
ake your melted unsalted butter and brown sugar, and mix them together until they’re nice and smooth. Crack in those eggs and splash in the vanilla extract, giving it a good mix. In another bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, and just a touch of salt. Slowly add these dry ingredients to your wet mix. Then, gently fold in the cranberries and white chocolate chips.
Spread that batter evenly into your prepared pan. Pop it into the oven and let it bake for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for a lovely golden edge and a toothpick that comes out clean from the center. Once done, let the bars cool completely in the pan.
Grab your cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat them together until you’ve got a smooth and creamy icing.
When your bars have cooled down, spread the icing over the top. Then, for that final flair, sprinkle on some chopped dried cranberries and a bit of orange zest. Now cut them into squares and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make These Bars Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can! Simply replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that your other ingredients, like baking powder, are gluten-free as well.
What Can I Use Instead of White Chocolate Chips?
If you’re not a fan of white chocolate, feel free to substitute it with the same amount of milk or dark chocolate chips. You can also use nuts like chopped pecans or walnuts for a bit of crunch, or even leave them out entirely if you prefer.
Can I Reduce the Sugar in This Recipe?
Yes, you can reduce the sugar if you prefer your bars less sweet. You might want to start by reducing the brown sugar in the bar batter by a quarter or a third. Just keep in mind that reducing the sugar can slightly alter the texture and moisture of the bars.
How Do I Know When the Bars Are Perfectly Baked?
The best way to check is to insert a toothpick into the center of the bars. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs (but no wet batter), they’re done. Also, the edges should be a nice golden brown, and the center should feel set to the touch.
Expert Tips
- Grate Orange Carefully: When you use orange zest, just grate the orange’s colorful skin, not the white part underneath – that part is bitter.
- Ingredients Should Be Warm: Make sure your cream cheese and eggs are not cold from the fridge. This helps them mix better for smoother bars and icing.
- Try Different Fruits: You can use other berries or dried fruits instead of cranberries. Blueberries, raspberries, or dried apricots can be really tasty too.
- Spread the Batter Evenly: Make sure to spread the batter flat and even in your pan. This helps your bars cook the same all over.
- Check if They’re Baked Right: Ovens can be different, so start checking your bars a little early. They’re done when the edges look golden and a toothpick comes out clean from the middle.
Storage
These cranberry bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last a bit longer, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just make sure they’re well covered to keep them fresh and delicious.
These bars also freeze well, both with and without the icing. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and they’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Discover More Cranberry Treats
Cranberry Coffee Cake
Cranberry Orange Bread
Cranberry Orange Cookies
Cranberry Orange Muffins
Looking For More Holiday Treats?
- Linzer Cookies
- Red Velvet Sheet Cake
- Bread Pudding
- Amaretti Cookies
- Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
- Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Cranberry Bars
Video
Ingredients
For The Bars
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1¼ cups brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoons salt
- 1½ cup cranberries (dried or fresh, I prefer fresh)
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
For The Icing
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup dried cranberries (chopped, for topping)
- orange zest (for garnish)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing well. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the cranberries and white chocolate chips.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
- Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the icing over the cooled bars. Sprinkle the chopped cranberries and orange zest on top for added flavor and color.
- Cut into squares or triangles and serve.
Notes
- Fresh vs. Dried Cranberries: You can use either fresh or dried cranberries for this recipe. Fresh cranberries add a nice tartness, while dried cranberries will give a sweeter, chewier texture.
- Adjusting the Sweetness: If you find the bars too sweet, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the batter or use less icing.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend to make these bars gluten-free. Just check that your baking powder and other ingredients are also gluten-free.
- Storing the Bars: Keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Freezing Tips: These bars freeze well. Just wrap them tightly and they’ll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge when ready to eat.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
