Description
Bliss Bars are decadent blondies featuring browned butter, white chocolate, and dried cranberries, topped with a creamy orange-infused cream cheese frosting and a drizzle of melted white chocolate. These bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors with a tender, moist texture, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Blondie
- 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour (7.5oz, 213g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (3g)
- ½ teaspoon table salt (3g)
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (6oz, 170g)
- 1½ cups packed light brown sugar (10.5 oz, 298g)
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (3g)
- ¾ cup dried cranberries (loosely packed, 3.5oz, 100g)
- 1⅓ cups white chocolate (chopped or white chocolate chips, 8oz, 227g)
Frosting
- 1⅔ cups white chocolate (melted, 10oz, 283g)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened, 227g)
- 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted, 6oz, 170g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (3g)
Topping
- ½ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (loosely packed, 2.3oz, 65g)
- ⅔ cup white chocolate (melted, 4oz, 113g)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving a few inches of overhang for easy removal. Spray the parchment lightly as well.
- Brownbutter: Melt butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously as it bubbles and foams, pushing foam aside to monitor the milk solids’ color. When solids turn golden brown, remove from heat immediately and transfer butter to a bowl to cool.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another medium bowl, mix the cooled browned butter (with solids) and brown sugar until combined. Add the lightly beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest, mixing well.
- Make Blondie Batter: Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently using a rubber spatula until just combined—avoid overmixing. Then fold in the chopped white chocolate and dried cranberries.
- Bake Blondies: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until edges are golden brown and the top is set, taking care not to overbake. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Frosting: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to combine softened cream cheese, sifted confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, orange zest, and melted white chocolate until the frosting is well mixed and fluffy.
- Frost Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled blondies.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the roughly chopped dried cranberries evenly over the frosting. Drizzle the remaining melted white chocolate over the top for a decorative finish.
- Chill and Slice: Refrigerate the bars until the frosting firms up for neat slicing. Once firm, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out and cut into triangles.
- Storage: Store the sliced bliss bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Browning the butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the blondie’s depth.
- Line the pan with parchment paper overhang to easily lift the bars out without breaking.
- Do not overbake the blondies to keep them moist and tender.
- The frosting combines cream cheese with melted white chocolate and orange flavors for a luscious topping.
- Allow the frosting to set in the refrigerator before slicing to achieve clean, neat pieces.
- The dried cranberries add a chewy tartness balancing the sweet white chocolate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American