Soft, chewy, buttery, festive, and unbelievably easy — these White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Bars bring the magic of holiday baking into one simple pan. With creamy white chocolate pockets, ruby-red cranberries, and a snowy white chocolate drizzle, they look stunning on any dessert table and disappear faster than you expect. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a gift box, a cookie exchange, or just a cozy night at home, these bars deliver warm, sweet, joyful flavor in every bite.

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🎄 PART 1 — Why These Cookie Bars Make the Perfect Holiday Dessert

There’s something special about a dessert that looks festive without requiring fancy decorating, and these White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Bars are exactly that. The white chocolate melts into soft, creamy pockets, while the cranberries add bright pops of tart red — instant holiday color with zero extra effort.

They also solve the biggest December baking problem: time.
Instead of scooping individual cookies, chilling dough, or baking multiple batches, everything goes into one pan. Press, bake, slice — done. The bars are soft in the middle, lightly crisp around the edges, and full of sweet-tart flavor.

They’re also perfect for:

• Cookie swap boxes

• Potlucks

• Holiday dessert boards

• Neighbor gifts

• Office parties

If you enjoy festive desserts with cozy, wintery flavors, you’ll also love the creamy holiday charm of our Biscoff Cookie Cheesecake.

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🎁 PART 2 — Ingredient Breakdown for the Best White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Bars

Each ingredient plays a role in making these bars soft, chewy, and festive. Here’s exactly what goes into them and why each part matters:

For another dessert starring fruit and color, try our Chocolate Cherry Cake.

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🎄 PART 3 — Step-by-Step: How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Bars

1️⃣ Cream the Butter & Sugars

Beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes). This creates the chewy, soft texture.

2️⃣ Add Eggs & Vanilla

Mix in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla. The batter should become smooth and glossy.

3️⃣ Mix the Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

4️⃣ Combine Wet & Dry

Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until just combined. Overmixing creates dense bars, so stop as soon as the flour disappears.

5️⃣ Fold in the Mix-Ins

Use a spatula to fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.

6️⃣ Press into Pan

Press dough evenly into a parchment-lined 9×13 pan. Smooth the top for even baking.

7️⃣ Bake

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 22–26 minutes, or until lightly golden. The center should still look slightly soft.

8️⃣ Cool & Drizzle

Cool completely, then drizzle with melted white chocolate. Slice into squares, triangles, or bars.

If you love easy, sliceable desserts, try our Easy Brookies Recipe.

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🎀 PART 4 — Texture Tips for Thick, Chewy Cookie Bars

• Don’t overmix the dough — it toughens the bars.

• Press evenly to prevent dry edges or underbaked centers.

• Use room-temperature butter for proper lift.

• Bake lightly golden — don’t wait for a dark top.

• Cool completely before slicing for clean edges.

For a fun, colorful holiday treat with the same bright vibe, try our Mexican Candy Recipes.

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🎉 PART 5 — Flavor Upgrades & Festive Mix-In Ideas

Make your cookie bars your own with:

Citrus

• Orange zest

• Lemon zest

• Orange extract

Mix-ins

• Pistachios

• Ruby chocolate chips

• Toasted coconut

Holiday spices

• Cinnamon

• Nutmeg

• Ginger

• Almond extract

Add cranberry twists

• More dried cranberries

• Fresh chopped cranberries

• Swirl of cranberry jam

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🎄 PART 6 — Serving, Styling & Drizzling Tips

For the perfect finish:

Snowy Drizzle

Drizzle thin lines of melted white chocolate over the cooled slab.

Powdered Sugar “Snow”

A dusting before serving adds holiday magic.

Festive Shapes

Slice into:

• Triangles

• Diamonds

• Mini cubes

Serving Board

Pair with peppermint bark, truffles, or gingerbread.

If you’re building a full holiday dinner table, pair these bars with a seasonal side like our Caramelized Butternut Squash with Feta, Walnuts & Cranberry-Honey Glaze.

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🎁 PART 7 — Storage, Freezing & Make-Ahead Tips

Storage

• Store airtight at room temperature for 4 days.

• Avoid refrigerating (it dries them out).

Freezing

• Freeze whole slab or individual pieces.

• Thaw at room temp 1–2 hours.

Make-Ahead

• Dough can chill up to 48 hours.

• Bars stay soft for days, perfect for pre-holiday baking.

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🍪 PART 8 — Nutrition, Substitutions & Dietary Notes

Approximate per bar (24 bars):

• Calories: 250–270

• Fat: 12–13g

• Carbs: 35–38g

Gluten-Free

Use a 1:1 GF flour blend.

Dairy-Free

Use plant-based butter + dairy-free white chocolate.

Lower Sugar

Reduce both sugars by ¼ cup each.

Nut-Free

Recipe is naturally nut-free — just verify cranberries are processed in a nut-free facility.

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🎅 PART 9 — Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

• Don’t use cold or melted butter.

• Don’t overmix.

• Don’t overbake.

• Spread dough evenly.

• Let bars cool fully before slicing.

• Use quality white chocolate for smooth drizzle.

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❓ FAQ

1. What is Jill Biden’s favorite cookie?

She has mentioned loving classic butter cookies — simple, soft, and lightly sweet.

2. Should I soak dried cranberries before baking?

Not required, but soaking for 10 minutes makes them juicier.

3. How do you make white chocolate covered cranberries?

Dip fresh or dried cranberries in melted white chocolate, place on parchment, and chill.

4. What’s the best white chocolate bar?

Top picks: Ghirardelli, Lindt, Guittard, Callebaut, Green & Black’s.

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🎁 Conclusion

These White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Bars are everything a holiday dessert should be — simple, festive, soft, chewy, and full of sweet winter warmth. They’re reliable, giftable, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for every Christmas moment, big or small. Whether you’re filling a cookie tin or sharing them by the tree, these bars bring holiday joy in every bite.