Cranberry Bliss Bars
These blondie bars were one of those recipes that disappeared quickly once I made them. Soft and chewy with dried cranberries and dairy-free white chocolate throughout, they have that sweet-tart balance that makes them feel a little special. They are topped with a creamy white chocolate cream cheese frosting and finished with a simple white chocolate drizzle, which makes them feel festive without being complicated. They are completely dairy-free, egg-free, and nut-free, and work really well for holiday baking, gifting, or any time you want a dessert that feels a little extra.
Ingredients
- For the bars: 1/2 cup vegan butter, melted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1/2 cup dairy-free white chocolate chips, chopped smaller if large
- For the frosting: 4 oz vegan cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup vegan butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp orange zest
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup melted dairy-free white chocolate, cooled slightly
- For the drizzle: 1/4 cup dairy-free white chocolate chips, melted
- Optional: 1/2 tsp coconut oil for smoother drizzling
Instructions
- 1Mix the bar batter
Preheat the oven to 350F. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper for easy lifting. Whisk melted vegan butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, applesauce, vanilla, and orange zest until smooth. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, and cinnamon.
- 2Bake the bars
Fold in chopped dried cranberries and chopped dairy-free white chocolate chips. Spread evenly in the pan and bake for 18-22 minutes, just until the edges are set and the center is slightly soft. Cool completely.
- 3Make the frosting
Beat vegan cream cheese and vegan butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, orange zest, and salt. Mix until fluffy. Add melted (but not hot) dairy-free white chocolate and beat again. Spread over cooled bars.
- 4Add the drizzle
Melt dairy-free white chocolate in 20-30 second microwave bursts. Stir until smooth. Drizzle in thin zig-zag lines over the frosting. Top with chopped dried cranberries and optional zest.
- 5Chill and slice
Chill at least 30-45 minutes. Slice into squares, then into triangles.
