Amazing Christmas Cranberry Bars Recipe This Year

Christmas baking is one of my favorite traditions. Every year, the kitchen fills with the warm scents of cinnamon, vanilla, and the excitement of creating something special to share. This year, I’m so excited to share my recipe for Christmas Cranberry Bars!

These festive treats, with a prep time of just 20 minutes and a bake time of around 20 minutes, plus cooling, are the perfect addition to your holiday baking list.

Emily

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Amazing Christmas Cranberry Bars Recipe This Year

Christmas baking is one of my favorite traditions. This year, I’m so excited to share my recipe for Christmas Cranberry Bars!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 24 bars

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 289

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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Ingredients:

• 1 cup vegetable shortening (2 sticks) melted: This provides moisture and tenderness to the bars. Melted shortening helps create a soft, chewy texture.
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar Brown sugar adds a rich, molasses-like flavor and contributes to the bars’ moistness. The depth of flavor is wonderful.
• 2 eggs Eggs bind the ingredients together and add structure to the bars. They also contribute to a rich, tender crumb.
• 1 teaspoon orange extract Orange extract enhances the flavor profile and complements the cranberries beautifully. It adds a subtle citrusy note.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors and adds a touch of warmth.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger Ground ginger adds a hint of spice that balances the sweetness and tartness.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder Baking powder helps the bars rise, creating a light and airy texture.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt Salt enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.
• 2 cups all purpose flour All-purpose flour provides the structure for the bars.
• 1 cup white chocolate chips White chocolate chips add sweetness and a creamy texture.
• 3/4 cup Craisins Craisins add a chewy texture and a burst of tartness.
• 8 oz cream cheese (softened) Softened cream cheese creates a smooth and creamy frosting.
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar Powdered sugar sweetens the frosting and gives it a smooth consistency.
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract Adds more citrus flavor to the frosting.
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Enhances the sweetness of the frosting.
• 1/3 cup Craisins (roughly chopped) Adds a festive touch and extra cranberry flavor to the frosting topping.
• 2 squares white baking chocolate or almond bark (melted) Adds a decorative touch and extra sweetness.

Equipment

• Electric Mixer
• 15×10 inch jelly roll pan
• 13×9 inch jelly roll pan
• rimmed cookie sheet
• wire rack
• fork

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 15×10 or 13×9 inch jelly roll pan or rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Beat together melted vegetable shortening and brown sugar over medium speed with an electric mixer. Add in eggs, 1 tsp orange extract, and 1 tsp vanilla extract and beat until mixed well. Add in ground ginger, baking powder, salt, and flour, beating until just blended. Don’t overmix.
3. Stir in white chocolate chips and Craisins by hand. Spread evenly into the bottom of prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes until set and golden brown at the edges. Don’t overbake or bars will be hard. Remove from oven and place pan on a wire rack to cool. Allow bars to cool completely before topping with frosting.
4. To make the frosting, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add 1/2 tsp orange extract and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and mix well. Top cooled bars with frosting. Sprinkle with chopped Craisins and drizzle white chocolate over the top with a fork. I dip my fork into the chocolate then shake it gently over the top of the bars to create little streaks. You can either slice right away and enjoy, or place the bars in the refrigerator for about an hour (what I like to do) to help them set up before cutting. Cut into triangles and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcal

Notes

I recommend using either a 15×10 inch or a 13×9 inch pan for these bars. Using a 15×10 inch pan will result in thinner bars, which will bake a bit faster. Using a 13×9 inch pan will create thicker bars; this may require a few extra minutes in the oven. Keep an eye on them!

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Why You’ll Love These Christmas Cranberry Bars

• They’re incredibly easy to make, perfect for beginner bakers.
• The combination of tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate is simply divine.
• The cream cheese frosting adds a tangy, smooth layer that elevates these bars to the next level.
• The chewy texture with bursts of flavor makes them totally irresistible.

The History of Cranberry Bars

Cranberry bars have a special place in North American holiday traditions. Their roots are tied to the cranberry harvest season, coinciding with Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cranberries, a native fruit, became a staple in holiday baking, leading to the creation of these delightful bars that we know and love.

Different Styles of Christmas Cranberry Bars

There are many takes on cranberry bars. Some recipes feature a shortbread crust, while others lean towards a blondie base. Some recipes also use fresh cranberries, which offers a more intense tart flavor. My recipe uses dried cranberries for a sweeter flavor.

For another recipe with cream cheese frosting, check out this Fresh Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Ingredients for Christmas Cranberry Bars

Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing Christmas Cranberry Bars.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) vegetable shortening, melted: This provides moisture and tenderness to the bars. Melted shortening helps create a soft, chewy texture.
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a rich, molasses-like flavor and contributes to the bars’ moistness. The depth of flavor is wonderful.
• 2 eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together and add structure to the bars. They also contribute to a rich, tender crumb.
• 1 teaspoon orange extract: Orange extract enhances the flavor profile and complements the cranberries beautifully. It adds a subtle citrusy note.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors and adds a touch of warmth.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger: Ground ginger adds a hint of spice that balances the sweetness and tartness.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder: Baking powder helps the bars rise, creating a light and airy texture.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Salt enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.
• 2 cups all purpose flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for the bars.
• 1 cup white chocolate chips: White chocolate chips add sweetness and a creamy texture.
• 3/4 cup Craisins: Craisins add a chewy texture and a burst of tartness.
• 8 oz. cream cheese (softened): Softened cream cheese creates a smooth and creamy frosting.
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar: Powdered sugar sweetens the frosting and gives it a smooth consistency.
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract: Adds more citrus flavor to the frosting.
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness of the frosting.
• 1/3 cup Craisins (roughly chopped): Adds a festive touch and extra cranberry flavor to the frosting topping.
• 2 squares white baking chocolate or almond bark (melted): Adds a decorative touch and extra sweetness.

How to Make Christmas Cranberry Bars: Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of Christmas Cranberry Bars!

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 15×10 or 13×9 inch jelly roll pan or rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Beat together melted vegetable shortening and brown sugar over medium speed with an electric mixer. Add in eggs, 1 tsp orange extract, and 1 tsp vanilla extract and beat until mixed well. Add in ground ginger, baking powder, salt, and flour, beating until just blended. Don’t overmix.
3. Stir in white chocolate chips and Craisins by hand. Spread evenly into the bottom of prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes until set and golden brown at the edges. Don’t overbake or bars will be hard. Remove from oven and place pan on a wire rack to cool. Allow bars to cool completely before topping with frosting.
4. To make the frosting, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add 1/2 tsp orange extract and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and mix well. Top cooled bars with frosting. Sprinkle with chopped Craisins and drizzle white chocolate over the top with a fork. I dip my fork into the chocolate then shake it gently over the top of the bars to create little streaks. You can either slice right away and enjoy, or place the bars in the refrigerator for about an hour (what I like to do) to help them set up before cutting. Cut into triangles and enjoy!

Pan Size Options

I recommend using either a 15×10 inch or a 13×9 inch pan for these bars. Using a 15×10 inch pan will result in thinner bars, which will bake a bit faster. Using a 13×9 inch pan will create thicker bars; this may require a few extra minutes in the oven. Keep an eye on them!

Tips for Perfect Christmas Cranberry Bars

Here are a few tips to ensure your Christmas Cranberry Bars turn out perfectly every time.

Baking Tips:

• Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to tough bars.
• Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal. It also makes cleanup easier.
• Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Frosting Tips:

• Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the frosting.
• Add the powdered sugar gradually to prevent a powdery mess.
• Refrigerate the bars after frosting to help the frosting set.

Variations on Christmas Cranberry Bars

Want to mix things up a bit? Here are a few variations you can try:

Serving Suggestions for Christmas Cranberry Bars

These Christmas Cranberry Bars are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with:

• A warm cup of coffee or tea.
• A scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Crumbled on top of a yogurt parfait. If you need other ideas for a party or gathering, consider this Best Cheese Ball Recipe for Any Party.

Gifting and Packaging Christmas Cranberry Bars

These bars make wonderful gifts! Here are a few ideas for packaging them:

• Place them in cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons.
• Arrange them in a decorative box with tissue paper.
• Stack them in a tin with a personalized gift tag.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

• Bars are too dry: Make sure you’re not overbaking them. Also, ensure you’re using enough shortening.
• Frosting is too thin: Add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

How to Store Christmas Cranberry Bars

To keep your Christmas Cranberry Bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. To find other similar content, check out our /treats-drinks category.

Can You Freeze Christmas Cranberry Bars?

Yes, you can freeze these bars! For best results, freeze them before frosting. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. You can also freeze them after frosting. Cut the bars into individual pieces and freeze them on a baking sheet before wrapping, so that they don’t stick together.

Dietary Variations for Christmas Cranberry Bars

Here are a few ideas for dietary variations:

• Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cream cheese and white chocolate chips.
• Vegan: Substitute the eggs with applesauce or a flax egg. Use vegan cream cheese and white chocolate chips.
• Refined Sugar-Free: Use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar and a sugar-free powdered sweetener for the frosting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about making cranberry bars:

• Can I use fresh cranberries? Yes, but you may need to adjust the sugar to balance the tartness.
• Can I reduce the sugar? You can reduce the sugar slightly, but it may affect the texture.
• Can I use a different type of extract? Yes, almond or lemon extract would also be delicious!

Conclusion

These Christmas Cranberry Bars are a delightful treat that’s sure to bring joy to your holiday season. They’re easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for sharing with loved ones.

Now, I want to hear from you! What are your favorite holiday baking traditions? Leave a comment below and let me know if you try this recipe, and how it turns out! Happy baking!

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