Description
A sweet and tart bar with a shortbread base, cranberry filling, and cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined to form a dough.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
- Bake the crust for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let it cool slightly.
- While the crust cools, combine the dried cranberries, orange juice, and orange zest in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the liquid is mostly absorbed, about 5 minutes. Stir the cranberry mixture into the slightly cooled crust.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cranberry layer.
- Sprinkle the white chocolate chips over the frosting.
- Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours, or until the frosting is firm.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares before serving.
Notes
- For a brighter orange flavor, use fresh orange juice instead of bottled.
- You can substitute dried cherries for cranberries if you prefer.
- Chill the bars completely before cutting for clean slices.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 18 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 55
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 25