Description
These bars remind me of cozy December mornings, when my daughter and I would sneak out for a quiet treat before the holiday rush began. Their sweet-tart cranberry sparkle and creamy white chocolate topping felt like edible cheer. Now, we recreate that joy at home, sharing the warmth and flavor of the season with every square. Bake a batch and brighten someone’s day!
Ingredients
Blondie Base:
1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
12 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
1½ cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp orange zest
¾ cup dried cranberries
1⅓ cups white chocolate chips
Frosting:
1⅔ cups white chocolate, melted
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp orange juice
1 tsp orange zest
Topping:
½ cup chopped dried cranberries
⅔ cup melted white chocolate
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 pan with parchment or spray with non-stick spray.
In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, stir melted butter with brown sugar, then add eggs, vanilla, and orange zest.
Combine wet and dry ingredients, then fold in cranberries and white chocolate.
Spread into the pan and bake for 25 minutes. Let cool completely.
Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, vanilla, orange juice, and zest. Mix in melted white chocolate.
Frost blondies, top with chopped cranberries, and drizzle with melted white chocolate.
Chill to set, then slice into 24 bars.
Notes
These bars are rich with holiday nostalgia—bake them once, and they’ll become part of your traditions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 265 per bar
- Sugar: 26g per bar
- Sodium: 100mg per bar
- Fat: 14g per bar
- Saturated Fat: 8g per bar
- Carbohydrates: 33g per bar
- Fiber: 0.5g per bar
- Protein: 2g per bar
- Cholesterol: 35mg per bar