These bright and chewy orange cranberry bliss bars bring together sweet citrus, tart cranberries, and creamy frosting in every bite. They taste like a bakery treat but come together quickly at home. The soft blondie base stays moist from brown sugar and butter, while the tangy topping adds a festive finish. Whether you serve them at gatherings or keep a batch for snacking, these bars deliver cozy flavors with very little effort. You’ll love how beautifully the citrus and cranberry pair.

Why You’ll Love This Orange Cranberry Bliss Bars

Each bite blends citrus sweetness with tart fruit for a bold, irresistible flavor.
The bars stay soft because the batter uses melted butter and brown sugar.
The simple cream cheese frosting adds a creamy finish without feeling heavy.
You can make these orange cranberry bliss bars ahead, so they’re perfect for parties.
They slice cleanly and look beautiful with white chocolate and cranberries on top.

Ingredients and Notes

This recipe uses simple pantry staples, but the zest and extracts give the orange cranberry bliss bars their signature flavor. The dried cranberries add chewy texture and balance the sweetness.

For the Bars

14 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 3/4 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
1 large egg yolk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 orange
1 teaspoon orange extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup craisins
1 cup white chocolate chips

Substitutions: Swap orange extract with extra zest for a natural flavor. Use chopped fresh cranberries if you prefer more tartness, but reduce the amount slightly. A gluten-free baking blend works well if it contains a binder.

For the Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
2/3 cup chopped craisins
2 ounces white chocolate, melted

Notes: You can thin the frosting with one teaspoon of milk if needed, but keep it thick so it spreads smoothly across the bars.

Instructions

These steps keep the batter soft and the flavor bright. Follow them closely for perfectly chewy orange cranberry bliss bars every time.

Heat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×11 or 9×13 pan with parchment and lightly grease it so the bars lift cleanly after cooling.
Stir the melted butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture looks glossy. This gives the bars their chewy blondie texture.
Add the softened cream cheese and egg yolk, then mix until smooth.
Add both eggs and the vanilla, stirring until everything blends and no streaks remain.
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, orange zest, and orange extract. This keeps the dry ingredients evenly distributed.
Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir just until combined. Avoid overmixing so the bars stay tender.
Fold in the craisins and white chocolate chips. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan with a spatula.
Bake for 25–30 minutes. The edges should look set, and the center should appear soft but no longer wet.
Let the bars cool for 10 minutes, then refrigerate for an hour. Chilling firms the blondies so they slice cleanly.
Prepare the frosting by beating the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and orange extract until creamy.
Spread the frosting over the fully cooled bars.
Sprinkle the chopped craisins on top and drizzle with the melted white chocolate.
Slice and serve. Keep them chilled until ready to eat so the topping stays neat.

These simple steps help the citrus and cranberry flavors shine without overwhelming the sweet base.

Pro Tips and Troubleshooting

Mix the batter gently so the bars stay soft instead of cakey.
Chill the baked bars before frosting so the topping stays smooth.
If the edges brown too quickly, cover the pan loosely with foil.
Use fresh zest since it adds brighter flavor than bottled citrus extracts.
If the frosting feels too soft, chill it for 10 minutes before spreading.

Serving, Storage, and Variations

Serve orange cranberry bliss bars slightly chilled so the layers keep their shape. Each square tastes even better with a bit of extra zest sprinkled over the top. Store slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

For a simple variation, add chopped pistachios for crunch. You can replace half of the white chocolate chips with dark chocolate for a richer flavor. A little almond extract in the frosting creates a bakery-style twist without overpowering the orange.

Nutrition

These values are estimates for one bar based on a 12-bar batch.

Nutrient — Amount
Calories — ~315
Carbohydrates — ~42g
Protein — ~3g
Fat — ~15g
Fiber — ~1g

FAQ

Can I freeze orange cranberry bliss bars?

Yes. Freeze unfrosted bars for up to two months, then thaw and frost before serving. This protects the topping from condensation.

Why did my bars turn out dry?

Overbaking usually causes dryness. Pull the bars from the oven when the edges set and the center still looks soft. Cooling in the fridge firms them without drying.

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

You can. Chop them small and reduce the amount slightly since they add more moisture. They create a tangier version of orange cranberry bliss bars.

Conclusion

These orange cranberry bliss bars offer vibrant citrus, sweet white chocolate, and creamy frosting in one easy dessert. The chewy base and colorful topping make them perfect for holidays or everyday snacking. Enjoy them chilled or at room temperature, and feel free to tweak the mix-ins to match your favorite flavors. This simple recipe delivers bakery-quality results with minimal effort.