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Quick Cranberry Bliss Bars with Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

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These Quick Cranberry Bliss Bars feature a buttery shortbread base, tart dried cranberries, and a luscious cream cheese frosting. Ready in about 35 minutes, they’re the perfect weeknight dessert that tastes like a special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (90g) dried cranberries
  • 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides.
  2. In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add egg and vanilla extract; mix on low speed until just combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Dough will be thick and slightly crumbly.
  6. Fold in dried cranberries with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed.
  7. Transfer dough to prepared pan. Lightly wet fingers with water and press dough evenly into pan, about 1/2-inch thick.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and center is set. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
  9. For frosting: In a clean bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
  10. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat on low speed until combined. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until smooth and spreadable.
  11. Spread frosting evenly over cooled base. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set.
  12. Lift bars out using parchment overhang. Slice into 16 squares with a sharp knife, wiping blade clean between cuts.

Notes

Don’t overbake the base; edges should be just golden. Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Chill bars before slicing for clean cuts. Bars taste even better the next day. For a citrus twist, add orange zest to the base and orange juice to the frosting.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, cream cheese frosting, shortbread bars, quick dessert, weeknight baking, cranberry dessert

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/quick-cranberry-bliss-bars-with-easy-cream-cheese-frosting/