Magical Cranberry Bliss Cream Bars Recipe: Sweet Holiday Treats

Loaded with festive flavor, these cranberry bliss cream bars dance between sweet and tangy in every delectable bite.

Creamy layers of white chocolate and soft cream cheese mingle with zesty cranberry bursts.

Delicate and rich, the dessert captures holiday magic on a single plate.

Bakery-inspired textures make these bars an irresistible treat for winter gatherings.

The crumbly base provides a perfect contrast to smooth, luxurious toppings.

Each square offers a decadent experience that feels both indulgent and light.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this memorable dessert.

How to Serve Cranberry Cream Bars During Holidays

• Festive Holiday Centerpiece: Serve this vibrant dessert as a stunning centerpiece at holiday gatherings, showcasing its beautiful layers and rich cranberry color.
• Elegant Party Dessert: Cut into precise squares for an elegant dessert that impresses guests with its professional look and delightful texture.
• Creamy Topping Enhance: Garnish with additional fresh cranberries or a light dusting of powdered sugar to add a touch of sophistication and extra flavor dimension.
• Chilled Refreshment Pairing: Complement the bars with a warm cup of coffee or tea, creating a perfect balance between the cool dessert and a hot beverage.

Storing Cranberry Bars That Stay Fresh

• Refrigerate and Savor
• Chill Completely: Cover the Cranberry Bliss Cream Bars with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Slice with Ease: Use a clean, sharp knife dipped in hot water between cuts to create smooth, beautiful servings that showcase the layered dessert.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to freeze for up to 3 weeks, perfect for make-ahead entertaining or surprise dessert cravings.
• Serve Chilled: Remove from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the cream layer to soften slightly, enhancing the texture and taste of the Cranberry Bliss Cream Bars.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Total Time: 12 minutes

Calories: 195 kcal

Servings: 13

Cranberry Cream Bars Ingredients Breakdown

• Jell-O Powder: Provides the vibrant, wiggly foundation that sets the dessert's playful texture and captures the essence of classic gelatin treats.
• Boiling Water: Essential for fully dissolving the Jell-O powder and creating a smooth, uniform base.
• Pineapple: Adds tropical sweetness and helps break up the gelatin's monotony with its tangy, juicy chunks.
• Whole Cranberry Sauce: Introduces a burst of tart fruitiness and creates beautiful ruby-like speckles throughout the dessert.

• Pecans: Deliver a rich, buttery crunch that contrasts beautifully with the smooth jello and cream layers, adding depth and textural interest.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a luxuriously smooth, tangy base for the topping that provides rich, velvety consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the cream layer and helps achieve a silky, spreadable texture.
• Sour Cream: Adds a subtle tang and lightens the cream cheese mixture, creating a more delicate and balanced topping.
• Remaining Pecans: Provides a final garnish that adds visual appeal and a satisfying crunch.

Tools to Make Cranberry Cream Bars Easily

• Large bowl: Essential for mixing jello and ingredients, ensuring everything blends smoothly.
• 9×13-inch glass dish: Perfect for setting and chilling the jello base and cream layer.
• Spoon: Helps break up cranberry sauce chunks and stir ingredients thoroughly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Guarantees cream cheese and powdered sugar combine into a silky texture.
• Measuring cups: Precise for adding the right amount of juices and pecans.
• Spatula: Useful for spreading cream layer evenly and folding sour cream gently.

How to Bake and Layer Cranberry Cream Bars

• Jello Foundation

Create a vibrant base by dissolving Jell-O in boiling water, ensuring a smooth and uniform mixture that will serve as the first layer of your dessert.

• Flavor Fusion

Introduce a delightful blend of crushed pineapple, whole cranberry sauce, and chopped pecans. Stir these ingredients thoroughly to create a rich, textured profile that will surprise and delight taste buds.

• Chilling Transformation

Transfer the colorful mixture into a glass dish and allow it to set in the refrigerator. This cooling process will transform the liquid into a firm, elegant foundation for your dessert.

• Creamy Cloud Layer

Whip together cream cheese and powdered sugar until silky smooth. Gently incorporate sour cream to create a luxurious, velvety topping that will complement the fruity base.

• Final Flourish

Spread the creamy layer over the set Jell-O, then sprinkle remaining pecans for a crunchy contrast. Return to the refrigerator to allow the layers to meld and chill completely before serving.

Tips for Better Texture in Cream Bars

• Replace pecans with toasted almonds or walnuts for a different crunch and flavor profile that complements the cranberry sweetness.
• Experiment with different fruit juices like pomegranate or white grape to add unique undertones to the jello base without changing the overall recipe structure.
• Whip the cream cheese mixture with a hand mixer to create an airier, more delicate texture that smoothly spreads across the jello layer.
• Sprinkle some orange zest or dried cranberries on top for an extra burst of flavor and beautiful visual appeal that makes the dessert more festive.
• Prepare this dessert one day in advance to allow flavors to meld and set perfectly, making it an ideal make-ahead treat for gatherings or potlucks.

Festive Cranberry Bliss Cream Bars Recipe

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• Total Time: 12 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade cranberry bliss cream bars deliver a delightful dessert experience from Pacific Northwest baking traditions. Sweet-tart cranberries and creamy white chocolate combine for an irresistible treat you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can whole cranberry sauce
• 2 (3 oz/85 g) packages cherry Jell-O (raspberry or cranberry can be substituted)
• 20 oz (567 g) crushed pineapple (juice included)
• 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) boiling water
• ¾ cup (180 ml) cranberry or apple juice
• 1 cup (100 g) chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Gelatin Preparation: Dissolve Jell-O packets in boiling water, creating a smooth, translucent liquid base that will form the foundation of the dessert.
2. Fruit Fusion: Integrate crushed pineapple and whole cranberry sauce into the gelatin, meticulously breaking down larger fruit pieces to achieve a harmonious texture and consistent blend.
3. Nutty Enhancement: Fold in finely chopped pecans and cranberry juice, ensuring even distribution throughout the gelatin mixture for a balanced flavor profile.
4. Initial Setting: Pour the combined mixture into a 9 x 13-inch glass dish, carefully leveling the surface to create a uniform gelatin layer. Refrigerate for approximately 2 hours until completely solidified.
5. Cream Cheese Layer: Whip softened cream cheese until velvety smooth, gradually incorporating powdered sugar to develop a light, airy consistency. Gently fold in sour cream until the mixture becomes silky and well-integrated.
6. Final Assembly: Once the gelatin layer has set, delicately spread the cream cheese mixture across the surface. Garnish with remaining chopped pecans for a crunchy contrast and visual appeal.
7. Chilling and Melding: Return the dessert to the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the cream layer to set and the flavors to harmonize into a delectable, refreshing treat.

Notes

• Chill Carefully: Refrigeration is crucial for perfect texture; allow full 2-hour setting time for gelatin base and 30-minute chilling for cream layer to ensure firm, clean-cut bars.
• Smooth Mixing Technique: Break down fruit chunks thoroughly and stir ingredients evenly to prevent lumpy texture and ensure consistent flavor distribution throughout the dessert.
• Cream Cheese Precision: Soften cream cheese completely and beat until ultra-smooth before adding powdered sugar to prevent grainy consistency and achieve silky cream layer.
• Pecan Placement: Chopped pecans add critical crunch and nutty depth; sprinkle generously over top layer for maximum textural contrast and enhanced visual presentation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 195
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg