Premier Cranberry Cream Cheese Bars
Experience the blissful balance of tart and sweet with these Premier Cranberry Cream Cheese Bars, a holiday-inspired dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Featuring layers of buttery crumb crust, velvety cream cheese, and a luscious cranberry-orange filling, these bars are a showstopper both in flavor and presentation. The burst of fresh cranberries is complemented by the zesty brightness of orange juice and zest, adding a refreshing twist to every bite. A crumbly golden topping and optional dusting of powdered sugar provide the perfect finishing touch. Quick to prepare and irresistible after chilling, this crowd-pleasing treat is ideal for potlucks, festive gatherings, or as a make-ahead Thanksgiving dessert. Indulge in these creamy, tangy, and downright decadent cranberry bars! Keywords: cranberry bars, cream cheese dessert, cranberry-orange dessert, holiday dessert recipe, make-ahead desserts.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- 1 cup Unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
- 8 oz Cream cheese (softened)
- 2 Eggs
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 2 cups Fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 tbsp Orange juice
- 1 tsp Orange zest
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 0.5 cup Powdered sugar (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Bake the crust for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the baked crust and spread evenly.
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and cornstarch. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens slightly, about 8-10 minutes. Let it cool for a few minutes.
Spread the cranberry mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the cranberry layer to form the topping.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the cream cheese layer is set.
Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing into squares or bars.
Optionally, dust the top of the bars with powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch of sweetness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5338 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 283.8 g | 364% | |
| Saturated Fat | 172.8 g | 864% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1140 mg | 380% | |
| Sodium | 966 mg | 42% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 662.6 g | 241% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.6 g | 77% | |
| Total Sugars | 433.1 g | ||
| Protein | 55.9 g | 112% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.1 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 525 mg | 40% | |
| Iron | 16.0 mg | 89% | |
| Potassium | 1269 mg | 27% | |
*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.
