These Cranberry Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a delightful treat that blends the tartness of dried cranberries with the rich sweetness of white chocolate and a creamy frosting. With a buttery base and a perfect balance of flavors, these bars are a wonderful addition to holiday gatherings, cookie swaps, or as a sweet snack. The addition of orange zest and walnuts brings depth and texture to this delicious dessert.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Bars:

• ¾ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ¾ cup sour cream
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup white baking chips
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup chopped walnuts

For the Frosting:

• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes. Gradually beat in the eggs, sour cream, and extracts.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the creamed ingredients, mixing well.
3. Fold in the white baking chips, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts. Spread the batter evenly into a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
5. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese, butter, orange zest (if using), and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar.
6. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars. Sprinkle with chopped cranberries and, if desired, additional orange zest. Cut into bars or triangles.
7. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrients (Per Bar)

• Calories: 166 kcal
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 32mg
• Sodium: 77mg
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Sugars: 14g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g

The Ideal Dessert for the Holidays

Cranberry Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect dessert for the holiday season. With their vibrant red cranberries and festive flavor profile, they make a stunning addition to any holiday table. Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or participating in a cookie swap, these bars will impress your guests with both their taste and appearance.

What makes these bars even more appealing is that they combine the familiar flavors of holiday baking—cranberries, white chocolate, and orange zest—into a convenient, easy-to-serve bar format. Unlike traditional cookies, these bars are simple to make and can be cut into perfect squares or triangles, making them easy to share and enjoy.

The Tart and Sweet Flavor Profile

One of the key elements of Cranberry Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting is the balance of sweet and tart flavors. Dried cranberries provide a burst of tartness that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of white chocolate chips. The cranberries give the bars a slightly tangy edge, making them less overwhelmingly sweet than other holiday treats, while the white chocolate adds a smooth, rich sweetness that complements the fruit perfectly.

The frosting itself adds an extra layer of richness, with the cream cheese and butter creating a smooth, velvety texture that perfectly balances the flavors of the bars. The optional addition of orange zest to the frosting brightens up the overall flavor, adding a citrusy lift that enhances the tartness of the cranberries and ties the flavors together beautifully. This combination of sweet, tart, and citrus notes makes these bars an exciting and satisfying treat that will keep everyone coming back for more.

A Buttery, Soft Base

The base of these Cranberry Bars is buttery and soft, providing a perfect foundation for the sweet and tangy filling. The combination of butter, sugar, eggs, and sour cream creates a moist, tender texture that’s not too dense or too light. The richness of the butter gives the base a melt-in-your-mouth quality, while the sour cream adds a subtle tang that pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of the frosting.

The addition of almond and vanilla extracts enhances the overall flavor of the base, giving it a warm, aromatic quality that complements the cranberries and white chocolate. The flour, baking powder, and salt ensure that the base bakes up evenly and holds its shape, making it sturdy enough to support the frosting and the toppings without falling apart.

The Creamy Frosting: A Perfect Finish

The cream cheese frosting is what takes these Cranberry Bars to the next level. Smooth and creamy, it provides the perfect contrast to the tender, slightly crumbly base. Made with cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, and confectioners’ sugar, the frosting is rich and velvety, spreading easily over the cooled bars.

What sets this frosting apart is the option to add grated orange zest. The orange zest gives the frosting a bright, fresh flavor that complements the cranberries and elevates the entire dessert. The slight bitterness of the orange peel balances the sweetness of the cream cheese and the sugar, adding complexity to the frosting and making it more dynamic. If you’re a fan of citrus flavors, the orange zest is a must-try addition, but the frosting is also delicious on its own without it.

The frosting also serves as a perfect canvas for garnishing. A sprinkle of chopped dried cranberries adds a pop of color and an extra burst of tartness, while additional orange zest can be sprinkled over the top for added freshness and a festive look.

Texture and Crunch with Walnuts

In addition to the sweet and tart flavors, these Cranberry Bars also offer a satisfying crunch, thanks to the chopped walnuts. Walnuts add a rich, nutty flavor and provide contrast to the soft base and creamy frosting. The addition of walnuts also adds texture to the bars, giving each bite a nice, chewy crunch that complements the smoothness of the pudding-like base and the creaminess of the frosting.

Nuts like walnuts also bring a depth of flavor to the bars, helping to round out the sweetness and tartness with their earthy, slightly bitter taste. If you’re not a fan of walnuts, you can easily substitute them with another nut, such as pecans or almonds, depending on your preferences.

Easy to Make and Serve

One of the best aspects of Cranberry Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting is how simple they are to make. The bars come together quickly, with just a few simple steps required to prepare the dough and mix the ingredients. The use of dried cranberries and white chocolate chips makes the filling easy to prepare without needing to chop or cook fresh fruit, keeping the process quick and simple.

The bars bake in one pan, so there’s no need to worry about rolling or shaping dough, making them perfect for home bakers who want a delicious dessert without spending hours in the kitchen. Once baked, the bars are easy to slice into squares or triangles, making them a convenient dessert for sharing at gatherings.

Because these bars are made in a baking pan and cut into portions, they’re also much easier to serve than traditional cookies or cakes, making them a great choice for parties or picnics. Simply set them out on a platter, and guests can easily grab a piece to enjoy.

A Versatile Dessert for Any Occasion

Cranberry Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are incredibly versatile. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, where they bring a festive touch with their vibrant colors and rich flavors. But they’re not just for the holidays—these bars are a great treat to enjoy year-round. The tart cranberries and creamy frosting make them suitable for any occasion, whether it’s a casual family gathering or a more formal dessert spread.

The bright, festive appearance of the bars makes them particularly appealing during the winter months, but their flavor profile and ease of preparation make them a great dessert for any time of year. Whether you’re serving them as part of a holiday spread, a birthday party, or simply as a sweet snack to enjoy with coffee or tea, these bars are sure to impress.

Conclusion

Cranberry Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a delicious, festive treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With a buttery, soft base, tart dried cranberries, creamy frosting, and a touch of orange zest, these bars offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The addition of walnuts gives them an extra layer of crunch and depth, making each bite even more satisfying.

Whether you’re making them for the holidays, a special celebration, or a casual snack, these bars are sure to impress. Their simple preparation, beautiful presentation, and delicious flavor make them a great addition to any dessert table. So, next time you’re looking for a treat that’s both sweet and tart, try making Cranberry Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting—you won’t be disappointed!