Best 2 Cranberry Orange Cookie Bars Recipes

Indulge in the delightful harmony of tart cranberries and vibrant oranges, perfectly captured in these delectable Cranberry Orange Cookie Bars. These delightful treats are a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring a chewy, buttery crust and a sweet-tart filling bursting with the tangy zest of cranberries and the refreshing brightness of oranges. With easy-to-follow instructions and a handful of pantry staples, this recipe is a perfect culinary adventure for bakers of all skill levels. Discover the perfect balance of sweet and tart in every bite, as these cookie bars become a staple in your baking repertoire. Along with the classic Cranberry Orange Cookie Bars, this article also offers tantalizing variations to satisfy every palate. Explore the delightful Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Bars, where a creamy cheesecake filling is nestled between layers of orange-infused cookie crust. For a festive twist, try the Cranberry Orange Swirl Bars, featuring a mesmerizing swirl of cranberry and orange flavors within a buttery shortbread crust. And for a unique flavor combination, the Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Chip Bars introduce a touch of creamy white chocolate, creating a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ORANGE CRANBERRY COOKIE BARS

Orange Cranberry Cookie Bars image

These cranberry cookie bars combine two beloved holiday flavors and top a delicious soft crust with cream cheese icing. We enjoy these during the holiday season. —Jennifer Blakely, Visalia, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 8 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, melted
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup white baking chips
1 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/4 cup grated orange zest
FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons grated orange zest, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat brown sugar, melted butter, eggs and vanilla until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into sugar mixture. Stir in baking chips, cranberries, pecans and orange zest., Spread into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 18-22 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack., For frosting, in a large bowl, combine cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, butter, 1 tablespoon zest and vanilla; beat until smooth. Spread over bars. Combine dried cranberries and remaining 2 tablespoons zest; sprinkle over frosting. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Cut into triangles. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 89 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 14mg cholesterol, Sodium 64mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

CRANBERRY-ORANGE COOKIE BARS

Cranberry-Orange Cookie Bars image

The first time I tried these, a co-worker on a specialized team brought them in for breakfast. She got them from Starbucks® (a seasonal delight, I'm told). So, I checked them out after I got off from work and at over $2 per little "triangle" piece, I decided I'd learn to make them for a lot less. My family members all urged me to recreate these. So after a bit of research, I found that there's a few copycat recipes online; but this is my twist on that concept.

Provided by Asgard Ranch

Categories Desserts Cookies Bar Cookie Recipes

Time 2h20m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
⅓ cup white sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries (such as Craisins®)
½ cup white chocolate chips
½ (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon orange extract
½ cup sweetened dried cranberries (such as Craisins®), chopped
1 tablespoon grated orange zest, or more to taste
⅓ cup white chocolate chips
½ teaspoon canola oil

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Beat butter, brown sugar, and white sugar for bars together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Stir in eggs, orange extract, and vanilla extract until well blended. Add flour, baking powder, and ginger; mix until well incorporated and the batter looks like soft cookie dough. Stir in cranberries and white chocolate chips until well mixed. Spread the stiff batter into the prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until light brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Don't overbake, or your bars will be dry. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix cream cheese and butter for frosting together until light and fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and orange extract; beat mixture until fluffy and spreadable. Spread evenly over the cooled bars.
Combine cranberries and orange zest for topping in a food processor and roughly chop. Sprinkle evenly over the frosted bars.
Mix white chocolate chips and oil together in a glass, microwave-safe measuring cup. Microwave until fluid enough to drizzle, 1 minute to 1 minute 15 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds until melted. Use a fork or whisk to drizzle the melted chocolate diagonally across the bars.
Allow chocolate to set for at least 1 hour before cutting into squares or triangles.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 317.4 calories, Carbohydrate 45.5 g, Cholesterol 55.1 mg, Fat 14.3 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 2.8 g, SaturatedFat 8.6 g, Sodium 63.9 mg, Sugar 36.6 g

Tips:

Use fresh cranberries. Fresh cranberries have a tart and juicy flavor that is perfect for these bars. If you can't find fresh cranberries, you can use frozen cranberries, but be sure to thaw them before using.
Grate the orange zest. Grating the orange zest will release the essential oils, which will give the bars a bright and citrusy flavor.
Use a food processor to chop the cranberries and orange zest. This will make it easier to incorporate them into the batter.
Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing the batter will make the bars tough. Just mix until the ingredients are combined.
Bake the bars until they are golden brown. The bars should be firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
Let the bars cool completely before cutting them. This will help them hold their shape.

Conclusion:

These cranberry orange cookie bars are a delicious and festive treat that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be made ahead of time, making them a great option for busy cooks. The tartness of the cranberries and the sweetness of the oranges complement each other perfectly, and the bars are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.