Best 2 Cranberry Orange Cookie Bars Recipes

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When the holiday season rolls around, there's nothing quite like the taste of homemade cranberry orange cookie bars to fill the air with festive cheer. With their sweet-tart flavor and moist texture, these delightful treats are sure to be a hit with family and friends. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, our guide to the best cranberry orange cookie bar recipes will provide you with all the tips and tricks you need to create perfect bars every time. From classic recipes that have been passed down through generations to modern takes with unique twists, we've got you covered. So get ready to indulge in the ultimate holiday baking experience and let the delectable aroma of cranberry and orange fill your home!

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

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

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:

  • For a chewy cookie bar, use slightly underbaked.
  • For a crispy cookie bar, bake until the edges are golden brown.
  • If you don't have fresh cranberries, you can use frozen cranberries. Just thaw them before using.
  • You can also use a different type of citrus fruit, such as lemon or grapefruit.
  • If you don't have orange zest, you can use 1 tablespoon of orange extract.
  • To make the cookie bars ahead of time, bake them according to the recipe and then let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you're ready to serve, let them come to room temperature for 30 minutes.

Conclusion:

Cranberry orange cookie bars are a delicious and easy-to-make treat. They're perfect for any occasion, from potlucks to holiday parties. With their chewy texture, tart cranberries, and sweet orange flavor, these cookie bars are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.

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