Cranberry Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Total Time Prep: 30 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling
Yield 4 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
These cranberry cheesecake bars are rich and sweet, and they boast a surprisingly complex flavor profile.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup white baking chips
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • FROSTING:
  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest, optional
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Gradually beat in eggs, sour cream and extracts. In a small bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Fold in baking chips, cranberries and walnuts. Spread into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan.
  2. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
  3. For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, orange zest if desired and vanilla until smooth. Beat in confectioners' sugar; spread over top. Sprinkle with cranberries and, if desired, additional orange zest. Cut into bars or triangles. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 166 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 77mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.

When I place a pan of these bars in the teachers' lounge and come back after the last bell, the pan is always empty. I'd say that's a good thing. White chocolate chips and cranberries make them extra special. —Mirella Hackett, Chandler, Arizona
Recipe Creator

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