Cranberry Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Sweet, tangy, and completely irresistible, these Cranberry Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are a festive treat perfect for the holiday season—or any time you’re craving a dessert that balances bright, fruity notes with rich, creamy decadence. The base is a soft yet chewy blondie-style batter, studded with tart dried cranberries for bursts of flavor in every bite. Topped with a luscious layer of cream cheese frosting, this dessert reaches the perfect harmony of sweetness and tanginess. A sprinkle of fresh orange zest adds a refreshing citrus twist, making these bars as beautiful as they are delicious. With a quick prep time of just 20 minutes and easy-to-follow steps, they’re an effortless crowd-pleaser for parties, family gatherings, or even a simple weeknight treat. Plus, leftovers (if there are any!) store beautifully in the fridge for up to five days.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 0.75 cup Unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup Brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large Eggs
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Dried cranberries
- 8 ounces Cream cheese (softened)
- 1.5 cups Powdered sugar
- 0.25 cup Unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon Orange zest (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
Gently fold in the dried cranberries using a spatula or wooden spoon.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
To make the cream cheese frosting, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
Once the bars have cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top using an offset spatula.
Optional: Sprinkle orange zest over the frosting for a pop of citrus flavor.
Cut into 16 squares or bars and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
377 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 17.7 g | 23% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.8 g | 54% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 71 mg | 24% | |
| Sodium | 157 mg | 7% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 50.6 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.1 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 37.5 g | ||
| Protein | 3.5 g | 7% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 30 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 0.8 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 56 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
