Is there anything better than holiday baking? I mean, seriously, the smells alone are enough to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And when it comes to sweet treats, these Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat are *totally* where it’s at. They’re like a little slice of Christmas magic, all chewy and sweet and tart at the same time. I’ve been baking for, well, let’s just say a *long* time (oops, giving away my age!), and I’ve tried a LOT of recipes. But these? These are special because they’re SO easy to make at home. You don’t need to be a fancy pastry chef to whip these up, trust me!
I love that this recipe is easy enough for even beginner bakers. Seriously, if I can do it (and sometimes I set off the smoke alarm!), you can too! The best part? Everyone *thinks* you slaved away for hours. It’ll be our little secret, okay?
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat Recipe
- Super easy to make! Seriously, even if you’re not a baking whiz, you got this.
- That festive cranberry flavor? It’s like Christmas in every bite!
- Perfect for sharing (or, you know, not sharing… I won’t judge!).
- They look gorgeous! These bars are total showstoppers at any holiday gathering.
- You probably have most of the ingredients already! No crazy trips to specialty stores needed.
The Perfect Holiday Treat
Okay, picture this: you’re heading to a Christmas party, and you want to bring something *amazing*. But you’re short on time (story of my life!). These Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat are your secret weapon! They’re festive, delicious, and everyone will be begging you for the recipe. Or, you know, just bake a batch for yourself and curl up on the couch with a mug of hot cocoa. Totally acceptable, and highly encouraged! They also make the cutest little homemade gifts, wrapped up with a pretty ribbon. Seriously, what’s not to love?
Gather Your Ingredients for Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat
Alright, let’s get our goodies together! Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat. Don’t worry if you’re missing something, I’ll give you some swap-out ideas later! But for now, grab these:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (the regular kind, nothing fancy!)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (make sure it’s not expired, or your bars will be flat!)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness!)
- 1/2 cup (that’s 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (this is KEY! It needs to be soft, but NOT melted. I usually leave mine out for about an hour.)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (the white stuff!)
- 1 large egg (it’s gotta be large, trust me!)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure vanilla is best, but imitation works in a pinch!)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (I like the sweetened ones, but unsweetened are fine too!)
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips (use the good stuff if you can! It makes a difference!)
See? Nothing too crazy! Let’s get baking!
How to Make Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat: Step-by-Step
Preparing the Dough for Your Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat
Okay, let’s get this dough going! First things first, you’ll want to grab a bowl and whisk together that 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Just whisk it all together until it’s nicely combined. This makes sure the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed, which is *super* important. Set that aside for now!
Next, grab another, slightly bigger bowl. We’re gonna cream together that 1/2 cup (1 stick) of softened butter and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar. Now, this is where a mixer comes in handy, but you can totally do it by hand with a little elbow grease! You want to beat it until it’s light and fluffy – like whipped cream, almost. It usually takes me about 3-5 minutes with my mixer. Don’t rush this step! It makes a big difference!
Once that’s all creamed together, beat in that one large egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix it until it’s just combined. Don’t overmix! Overmixing can make the bars tough, and nobody wants that, right?
Now comes the tricky part (just kidding, it’s not *that* tricky!). Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until *just* combined. I usually add about a third of the dry ingredients at a time, mixing after each addition. Again, don’t overmix! A few streaks of flour are okay. We’re going for tender bars, not hockey pucks!
Finally, stir in those 1/2 cup of dried cranberries and 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips. I like to use a spatula for this, just to be gentle and not overwork the dough. Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough – you want cranberry and white chocolate goodness in every bite!
Baking Your Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat to Perfection
Before you even *think* about starting the dough, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Seriously, don’t skip this step! You want that oven nice and hot and ready to go. Now, grab an 8-inch square baking pan and lightly grease it. You can use butter, cooking spray, or even line it with parchment paper for easy removal (my favorite trick!).
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. I like to use a spatula to smooth it out. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep an eye on them! Ovens can be tricky, and you don’t want to burn the bottoms. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. That’s how you know they’re done!
Cooling and Cutting Your Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat
This is the hardest part, I swear! Let the bars cool *completely* in the pan before cutting them. I know, it’s torture! But trust me, if you try to cut them while they’re still warm, they’ll be a gooey mess. I usually let them cool for at least an hour, or even longer if I can resist the temptation. Once they’re completely cool, cut them into bars. I usually get about 16 bars from an 8-inch pan. And that’s it! You’ve made Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat! Now go enjoy!
Tips for the Best Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat
Want to take your Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat to the *next* level? Of course, you do! Here are a few little secrets I’ve learned along the way:
- Butter is best: Make sure your butter is *actually* softened, not melted. If it’s too melty, your bars will be greasy. If it’s too cold, it will be impossible to cream.
- Don’t overmix: I know I keep saying it, but it’s SO important! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which makes for tough bars. We want tender, chewy bars, remember?
- White chocolate matters: Spring for the good white chocolate chips! They melt better and taste a whole lot better, too. Trust me on this one.
- Cranberry boost: Want an extra pop of cranberry flavor? Soak the dried cranberries in warm water (or cranberry juice!) for about 10 minutes before adding them to the dough. This plumps them up and makes them extra juicy!
Follow these tips, and you’ll be baking Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat like a pro in no time!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat
Okay, so maybe you’re staring at the ingredient list and thinking, “Hmm, I don’t *have* that…” No worries! Let’s talk swaps. Baking’s pretty forgiving, and you’ve got options!
- Flour Power: All-purpose flour is my go-to for these bars, but if you’re feeling fancy (or gluten-free!), you can try a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. Just check the package instructions, since sometimes you need to add a little extra liquid.
- Sweet Talk: Granulated sugar gives these bars that classic sweetness, but you can experiment! Brown sugar will add a richer, molasses-y flavor (yum!), or you could try a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit. Keep in mind that sugar substitutes can sometimes change the texture, so you might need to play around with the amounts.
- Fruity Fun: Dried cranberries are the star of the show, but you can totally mix it up! Dried cherries, blueberries, or even chopped apricots would be delicious. Just make sure they’re roughly the same size as the cranberries so they distribute evenly.
- Chocolate Chips: White chocolate chips are classic, but hey, it’s *your* kitchen! Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, even butterscotch chips would be yummy. Or, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, chop up a white chocolate bar instead of using chips – it melts beautifully!
See? Don’t be afraid to get creative! Baking is all about experimenting and finding what you love. Just remember that substitutions *can* affect the final result, so maybe start with a small batch if you’re trying something totally new!
Storing Your Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat
Alright, so you’ve baked these amazing Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat, and…you have leftovers? Wow, you have more willpower than I do! Just kidding (mostly!). Here’s how to keep those bars fresh and delicious for as long as possible (though, let’s be real, they probably won’t last long!).
The best way to store these bars is in an airtight container at room temperature. That’s it! No need to refrigerate them. In fact, refrigerating them can actually dry them out. They’ll stay fresh for about 3-5 days (if you can resist eating them all before then!).
Want to make them ahead of time? Smart move! You can totally bake these Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat a day or two before you need them. Just store them in that airtight container, and they’ll be perfect for your party or gathering. I’ve even been known to sneak a bar (or two!) straight from the container. Oops! Don’t tell anyone!
Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried in this Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat recipe?
Okay, so you’re thinking fresh cranberries, huh? I get it! They’re super festive. But honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it for these bars. Fresh cranberries have a LOT more moisture than dried ones, and they can make your bars soggy. Plus, they’re much more tart, which can throw off the whole flavor balance. If you *really* want to use fresh cranberries, I’d suggest chopping them super finely and maybe reducing the amount a bit. But trust me, the dried cranberries are the way to go for this Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat recipe!
How do I prevent the Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat from being dry?
Nobody wants dry Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat! Yuck! The key is moisture! Make sure you’re using softened (but not melted!) butter, and don’t overbake them. A toothpick should come out with moist crumbs, not totally clean. And hey, a little secret? I sometimes brush the tops with a tiny bit of melted butter after they come out of the oven. Shhh! Don’t tell! Also, be super careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing = dry bars. Remember, gently does it!
Can I freeze these Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat?
Absolutely! Freezing is a great way to keep these Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat around for longer (if they last that long!). Just let them cool completely, cut them into bars, and then wrap them individually in plastic wrap. Then, pop them into a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat one (or five!), just thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes. They’ll be just as delicious as the day you baked them!
Nutritional Information for Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat
Okay, let’s talk numbers! Now, I’m not a nutritionist or anything, so this is just a *rough* estimate, okay? The nutritional information for these Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat can vary a lot depending on the exact ingredients you use. Different brands have different calorie counts, you know? So, take this with a grain of salt (a *small* grain of salt, haha!).
According to my calculations (which, let’s be honest, involved a calculator and a little bit of guesswork!), one bar has approximately 180 calories. You’re also looking at around 15 grams of sugar, 8 grams of fat, and a tiny bit of protein (about 2 grams). But again, this is just an estimate! If you’re serious about tracking your macros, I’d recommend plugging the ingredients into a proper nutrition calculator. But for a general idea? There you go! Enjoy those Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat… in moderation, of course (says the lady who’s about to eat three!).
Enjoyed this Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat Recipe?
Hey, did you try this Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat recipe? I really hope you loved it as much as I do! Seriously, it makes my day to hear from you guys!
If you gave it a whirl, please, *please* leave a comment below and let me know what you think! Did you make any fun swaps? Did you add a secret ingredient? I’m dying to know!
And if you’re feeling extra generous, give the recipe a rating! Those little stars really help other bakers find this Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat recipe and spread the holiday cheer!
Happy baking, friends!
Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat: Foolproof Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make these delicious Christmas Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat for a festive treat. They are perfect for holiday baking and sharing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in cranberries and white chocolate chips.
- Spread batter into an 8-inch square baking pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For best results, use high-quality white chocolate chips.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
