Cranberry Chocolate Chip Blondies

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Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bars — Super soft, buttery bars packed with chewy cranberries! And there’s a chocolate overload in every bite!!

three cranberry bars stacked on a white plate

Easy Cranberry Bars 

I love cranberries and ’tis the season for them. And it’s always the season for chocolate recipes.

I have a copycat recipe for Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars that is spot-on and I love those things but they do take a little bit of time to make. These blondies are the faster, easier, semi-sweet chocolate alternative and just baking them reminded me of all the cranberry goodies my grandma and I used to make together around the holidays when I was growing up.

The soft, buttery, caramely, brown sugary, blondie base is the perfect complement to the chewy, tart cranberries. Dark chocolate is a perfect pairing and really balances the flavors.

When I want an easy, fuss-free recipe that I know will be a hit, I call upon my trusty blondie base. With 30+ versions and counting (including the Cranberry Bliss Bars), it never lets me down. 

four cranberry bars on a white platter

It’s an easy recipe to memorize because everything is ‘one’. In the 1 bowl used, melt 1 stick of butter, stir in 1 egg, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla, and 1 cup flour.

For this version, add 3/4 cup dried cranberries and 3/4 cup chocolate chips. I used McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract and McCormick Ground Cinnamon, which worked perfectly with the orange-scented cranberries. 

For a last-minute, fast, easy, and foolproof holiday entertaining recipe, whip up a batch of these. I literally made the batter and had it in the pan, baked, and out of the oven in 30 minutes flat.

close up of a dried cranberry bar on a white platter

What’s in These Cranberry Bars? 

To make these chocolate chip cranberry bars, you’ll need: 

two cranberry bars stacked on a white plate

How to Make Cranberry Bars 

Melt the butter, then whisk in the egg, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix in the flour until just combined, then fold in the cranberries and chocolate chips. 

Turn the batter into a greased and foil-lined 8×8-inch baking dish, then bake until done. 

Can I Use Fresh Cranberries? 

I haven’t tested the recipe with fresh cranberries, but between their bulkier size and the relative flat nature of the bars, and the amount of juice they’ll leak while baking which would water down the batter, I’d save fresh cranberries for the best ever Cranberry Sauce or Cranberry White Chocolate Muffins.

Can I Double This Recipe?

Yes, you should be fine to double the ingredients list and bake the blondies in a 9×13-inch dish. 

Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bars — Super soft, buttery bars packed with chewy cranberries! And there's a chocolate overload in every bite!!

Tips for Making Dried Cranberry Bars 

I used Trader Joe’s Orange-Flavored Dried Cranberries. They have a slighter brighter and more citrus taste than traditional dried cranberries but use your favorites, or try craisins.

Feel free to swap out the semi-sweet chocolate chips for white chocolate chips if you love the white chocolate-cranberry combo. 

These blondies will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bars — Super soft, buttery bars packed with chewy cranberries! And there's a chocolate overload in every bite!!

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4.47 from 82 votes

Cranberry Chocolate Chip Blondies

By Averie Sunshine
Super soft, buttery bars packed with chewy cranberries! And there's a chocolate overload in every bite!!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 26 minutes
Additional Time: 59 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12
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Ingredients  

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 stick, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
  • ½ teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup dried cranberries, I used orange-scented cranberries from Trader Joe’s
  • ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
  • In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
  • Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don’t scramble it. Add the egg, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and whisk until smooth.
  • Add the flour and stir until just combined, don’t overmix.
  • Stir in the cranberries and chocolate chips.
  • Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
  • Bake for about 24 to 26 minutes, or until done (I baked 24 minutes because I prefer very soft blondies). A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean (as long as you’re not hitting chocolate), or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter.
  • Allow blondies to cool in pan for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.

Notes

Storage: Blondies will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 256kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 13mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 28g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

More Dried Cranberry Recipes:

Cranberry Bliss Seven Layer Bars — There’s a slightly crunchy graham cracker crust, extra crunch from the walnuts, with chewiness from the cranberries and coconut.

Cranberry Bliss Bars {Starbucks Copycat Recipe} — They taste just like the real thing & you can make them at home, year-round! Think of all the $ you’ll save. Spot-on and easy!

The Easiest Foolproof Fudge Recipe — Look no further than this recipe for the EASIEST and most FOOLPROOF fudge that takes less than 3 minutes to make!

Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Bliss Cake â€” The flavors of Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars in a Soft, Easy, No-Mixer Cake! 

Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Bliss Cake - The flavors of Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars in a Soft, Easy, No-Mixer Cake! Recipe at averiecooks.com

Cranberry and White Chocolate Chip Cookies â€“ Cranberry Bliss Bar flavors, in cookie form. Tender, soft, pillowy centers and a personal favorite!

Cranberry and White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Trail Mix Protein Bar Cookies â€” Packed with your favorite trail mix goodies, even protein bars!! Soft, chewy, and accidentally healthy!

Post is brought to you by McCormick. Recipe, text, images, and opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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Comments

  1. The titles, the pictures, the recipe, it’s all amazing! These are so creative and different! YUM!! :)

  2. These look gooey and delicious! I am craving a gooey blondie right now…and you’re right. It’s always chocolate season!

    1. Thanks for pinning, as always, and yes, it’s always chocolate season – especially when you’re a dessert blogger :)

  3. These look awesome! What a great way to make blondies a bit more festive, with cranberries :) I also love that these look like they would ship well – perfect for sending to faraway friends and family!

  4. I JUST put 2 bags of cranberries in my slow cooker for cranberry sauce. I am surprised that I haven’t seen them at the stores more often this season. Too early, maybe?

    I don’t love the chocolate-cranberry combo, but i won’t turn down dark chocolate covered craisins or anything with white chocolate and cranberries. Man, me a nd white chocolate have done a 180!

    1. How could it be too early? Thanksgiving is in 8 days! But you’re totally right, I haven’t seen them very much either this year. Maybe crops were slow or something!

      Man, me a nd white chocolate have done a 180! <--- My thoughts exactly :)

  5. Cranberries and chocolate sound like an awesome combo :) I’ll definitely have to make these for my family with the holidays coming up!

  6. Whoa! Love cranberries with chocolate. What a fine looking bar.
    Pinned.
    Have an awesome Tuesday Averie!

  7. Oh my goodness these look amazing. Need to pick up chocolate chips and then I can make these :)

  8. best looking blondies I have seen lately and i love the cranberries with the chocolate and not the typical white chocolate

  9. Darn it! No dried cranberries in the house. The snow is blowing sideways and I am REALLY not in the mood to venture to the store. Guess I’ll have to peruse your other recipes … you know … the ongoing list of “someday I’ll try that” recipes … but I’ll be hankering after this one …

    1. You’re like the 3rd person in 5 minutes who’s comment has said the weather is horrid. Stay warm!!! I hope you were able to work on your ‘someday’ list at least! Ugh, winter storms and being almost snowed in, do.not.miss.it.