Decadent White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Bars
Indulge in these luscious Decadent White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Bars that blend the rich and creamy flavors of white chocolate with the tartness of dried cranberries. Inspired by a beloved treat from Starbucks, this recipe twists the classic blondie by using a delightful cookie base, making it denser and more satisfying. The bars are a perfect balance of sweetness and floral notes from the Grand Marnier or vanilla in the frosting, topped with crunchy white chocolate chips and juicy cranberries. Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or as a sweet ending to a meal, these bars are sure to impress your family and friends. I created this recipe from scratch to bring a little bit of café magic into our home, and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
1 cup (softened)
Brown Sugar
1 1/2 cups (packed)
Vanilla Extract
2 teaspoons
Eggs
2 large
All-Purpose Flour
2 1/4 cups
Baking Powder
1 1/2 teaspoons
Salt
1 teaspoon
White Chocolate Chips
1 (11 ounce) bag
Dried Cranberries
1 1/2 cups (coarsely chopped)
Unsalted Butter (for frosting)
1/2 cup (softened)
Cream Cheese
4 ounces (softened)
Powdered Sugar
2 cups
Grand Marnier or Vanilla Extract (for frosting)
1 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan or line with parchment paper for easy removal.
2
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and packed brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
3
Add in the vanilla extract and eggs, mixing well until fully combined.
4
Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, stirring just until incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
5
Fold in 1 1/2 cups of chopped cranberries and 1 3/4 cups of white chocolate chips (reserving 1/3 cup of chips and 1/2 cup of cranberries for later).
6
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
7
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely.
8
Meanwhile, prepare the frosting by mixing together the softened butter, cream cheese, and Grand Marnier or vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Start mixing at a low speed.
9
Gradually add in the powdered sugar, mixing until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
10
Once the bars are completely cooled, frost them generously with the cream cheese frosting.
11
Sprinkle the reserved cranberries and white chocolate chips over the top for added sweetness and decoration.
12
Melt the remaining white chocolate chips using a microwave-safe plastic bag in 30-second intervals, gently squeezing in between until fully melted. Snip a tiny corner and pipe a thin stream of melted chocolate over the frosted bars for a beautiful finish.
13
Cut into squares and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Bars?
These are luscious dessert bars that blend rich, creamy white chocolate with the tartness of dried cranberries on a dense cookie base.
What inspired this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a beloved treat from Starbucks, intended to bring cafe magic into the home.
How do these bars differ from traditional blondies?
Unlike traditional blondies, these bars use a cookie base which makes them denser and more satisfying.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit or 163 degrees Celsius.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
How long should I beat the butter and brown sugar?
Beat the softened butter and packed brown sugar together for about 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
When do I add the eggs and vanilla?
Add the vanilla extract and eggs after creaming the butter and sugar, mixing well until fully combined.
Is there a risk of overmixing the batter?
Yes, you should stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt just until incorporated to avoid overmixing.
How many white chocolate chips go into the batter?
Fold 1 3/4 cups of white chocolate chips into the batter, but remember to reserve 1/3 cup for later.
How many cranberries are added to the dough?
Add 1 1/2 cups of chopped dried cranberries to the dough, reserving 1/2 cup for the topping.
What is the baking time for these bars?
The bars should bake for 20-25 minutes.
How can I tell when the bars are finished baking?
They are done when the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Do the bars need to cool before frosting?
Yes, the bars must cool completely before you apply the cream cheese frosting.
What ingredients are needed for the frosting?
The frosting requires softened butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and either Grand Marnier or vanilla extract.
Can I use vanilla instead of Grand Marnier in the frosting?
Yes, vanilla extract is a perfectly suitable substitute for Grand Marnier in the frosting recipe.
How do I make the frosting smooth?
Gradually add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese and butter mixture, mixing until it is creamy.
When should I apply the frosting?
Apply the frosting generously only once the bars have reached room temperature.
What are the decorative toppings for these bars?
The bars are topped with reserved cranberries, white chocolate chips, and a thin stream of melted white chocolate.
How do I melt the white chocolate for the drizzle?
Melt the chips in a microwave-safe plastic bag in 30-second intervals, squeezing the bag in between.
How do I apply the melted chocolate drizzle?
Snip a tiny corner off the plastic bag containing the melted chocolate and pipe it over the frosted bars.
Are these bars suitable for potlucks?
Yes, their portable nature and crowd-pleasing flavors make them perfect for potlucks and gatherings.
What size baking pan is required?
This recipe is designed for a standard 9x13 inch baking pan.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients used across the cookie base and the frosting.
What type of sugar is used in the cookie base?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of packed brown sugar.
What role does cream cheese play in this recipe?
Cream cheese is the primary base for the rich frosting that tops the cookie bars.
Are these bars good for holiday baking?
Yes, the combination of white chocolate and cranberry makes them a popular choice for holiday treats.
How should the bars be served?
Once frosted and drizzled, cut the bars into squares to serve.
What is the texture of these bars?
The bars have a dense, satisfying cookie-like texture paired with a creamy frosting.
What kind of flour is used?
The recipe uses 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour.
How much butter is used in the cookie base?
The cookie base requires 1 cup of softened butter.