Cranberry Bliss Cake Bars with Lemon Frosting
Indulge in these delicious Cranberry Bliss Cake Bars, a delightful homage to the seasonal favorite found at Starbucks, crafted to savor year-round. These soft, moist bars are infused with the sweetness of white chocolate chunks and the tartness of dried cranberries, all elevated by the warm spice of crystallized ginger. Topped with a creamy lemon frosting that perfectly balances the sweetness of the cake, these bars are garnished with more cranberries for a pop of color and flavor. Whether enjoyed as a treat for yourself or shared with friends, each bite delivers a rich burst of flavor reminiscent of the holiday season. Impress your guests with these delightful bars that are sure to become a staple in your dessert repertoire.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
3/4 cup (softened)
light brown sugar
1 1/4 cups (packed)
eggs
3 (large)
crystallized ginger
2 tablespoons (minced)
vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons (pure)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (fine)
all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (sifted)
baking powder
1/2 teaspoon
dried cranberries
3/4 cup (diced)
white chocolate
4 ounces (cut into chunks)
cream cheese
4 ounces (softened)
powdered sugar
3 cups
lemon juice
4 teaspoons (freshly squeezed)
pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon
dried cranberries
1/4 cup (diced)
powdered sugar
1/2 cup
milk
1 tablespoon
vegetable shortening
2 teaspoons
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13-inch baking pan by greasing it well.
2
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and packed light brown sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat them until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3
3. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then incorporate the minced crystallized ginger, vanilla extract, and salt, blending until fully combined.
4
4. Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the mixture and continue to mix until the batter is smooth and lump-free.
5
5. With a spatula, gently fold in the diced dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
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6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is a light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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7. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before preparing the frosting.
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8. For the lemon frosting, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
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9. Once the cake has cooled, spread the lemon frosting generously over the top.
10
10. Evenly sprinkle 1/4 cup of diced dried cranberries over the frosted cake for added garnish and flavor.
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11. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and vegetable shortening until smooth to create an icing drizzle.
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12. Drizzle the icing over the cranberries in a sweeping motion. You can also use a pastry bag for more control or a zip-top bag with the corner trimmed for an easy alternative.
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13. Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing.
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14. After chilling, carefully slice the cake lengthwise through the middle, then cut across the width three times to create eight rectangular pieces. Cut each rectangle diagonally to form 16 triangular bars.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the inspiration for these Cranberry Bliss Cake Bars?
These bars are a delightful homemade homage to the seasonal favorite cranberry bliss bars found at Starbucks.
What size baking pan should be used for this recipe?
A 9x13-inch baking pan is required for these cake bars.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How many eggs are needed for the batter?
The recipe calls for 3 large eggs, added one at a time.
What kind of ginger is used in these bars?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of minced crystallized ginger to provide a warm spice flavor.
What type of chocolate is included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 4 ounces of white chocolate cut into chunks.
How much brown sugar is required?
You will need 1 1/4 cups of packed light brown sugar.
Should the flour be sifted?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 1 1/2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
How long do the cake bars need to bake?
Bake the bars for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Does the cake need to cool before adding frosting?
Yes, allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before applying the lemon frosting.
What are the ingredients for the lemon frosting?
The frosting consists of 4 ounces of softened cream cheese, 3 cups of powdered sugar, 4 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
How do I make the icing drizzle for the top?
Whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and 2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening until smooth.
How long should the bars be chilled before slicing?
The frosted cake should be covered and refrigerated for at least 2 hours before slicing.
How many triangular bars does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 16 triangular bars.
What is the best way to cut the bars into triangles?
Slice the cake lengthwise through the middle, then cut across the width three times to make eight rectangles, and finally cut each rectangle diagonally.
Can I use a zip-top bag for the icing drizzle?
Yes, a zip-top bag with the corner trimmed is a great easy alternative to a pastry bag for drizzling.
Is fresh lemon juice necessary for the frosting?
The recipe recommends 4 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor balance.
What is the texture of the finished bars?
The bars are soft and moist, infused with chunks of white chocolate and tart dried cranberries.
Should the butter be melted before mixing?
No, the butter should be softened but not melted to cream it properly with the brown sugar.
How should I add the flour to the batter?
Gradually add the flour to the butter mixture and continue to mix until the batter is smooth and lump-free.
When do I add the cranberries and white chocolate?
After the flour is mixed in, gently fold in the diced dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks with a spatula.
How many cups of powdered sugar are needed in total?
You will need 3 1/2 cups of powdered sugar in total: 3 cups for the frosting and 1/2 cup for the drizzle.
Is salt used in this recipe?
Yes, the batter includes 1/4 teaspoon of fine salt.
Is baking powder required for this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder is included in the dry ingredients.
What type of vanilla extract should I use?
The recipe suggests using pure vanilla extract for both the batter and the frosting.
How much milk is used in the drizzle?
The icing drizzle requires 1 tablespoon of milk.
What is the preparation for the dried cranberries?
The cranberries should be diced before being added to the batter and used as a garnish.
Should I grease the baking pan?
Yes, the 9x13-inch baking pan should be greased well before pouring in the batter.
How do you mix the frosting?
Use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
What provides the garnish on top of the frosting?
The frosting is topped with 1/4 cup of diced dried cranberries and an icing drizzle.