Cream Cheese Cranberry Bars

Cream cheese cranberry bars are cheesecake-inspired treats layered with sweet cranberries and buttery oat crumble. They’re rich, festive, and totally irresistible.

Easy Cream Cheese Cranberry Dessert Bar Recipe

I love a good dessert bar that’s easy to make, easy to share, and always a crowd-pleaser. These cream cheese cranberry bars are one of my holiday favorites, combining cheesecake vibes with a bright cranberry filling. They’re festive without feeling fussy, and they fit right in on a cookie tray or dessert table.

The crumbly oat layers give them a homey touch, while the cream cheese filling keeps them decadent. Add the sweet-tart cranberries, and you’ve got a dessert that’s perfect for any holiday gathering.

Why I Love This Recipe

• The cheesecake-like filling makes these bars rich and creamy, just the way I like them.
• They’re an easy way to bake something festive without a lot of hassle.
• The crumbly oat topping and tart cranberry layer strike the perfect sweet-tart balance.

Ingredients

Here’s why I use each ingredient in this recipe—they all play a part in making these dessert bars the rich, sweet, and tangy treat they are!

• Old-Fashioned Oats: Perfect for texture—quick oats are too soft.
• All-Purpose Flour: Simple, reliable structure.
• Chopped Walnuts: Finely chopped for balance and crunch without big chunks.
• Brown Sugar: Light/golden brown adds just the right sweetness.
• Cinnamon: Fresh for warm, cozy flavor.
• White Chocolate Chips: Sweet and creamy, ideal with cranberries.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creamy sweetness in one ingredient.
• Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla for better flavor.
• Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce: Adds texture and flavor—skip the jellied kind.
• Cornstarch: Keeps the cranberry layer thick and neat.
• Unsalted Butter: Rich and crumbly without extra salt.
• Cream Cheese: Full-fat for creamy decadence.
• Orange Juice: Fresh and strained, or swap with lemon juice for tang.

How To Make Festive Cream Cheese Cranberry Bars

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Step One: Preheat the Oven
  Set your oven to 350°F and let it preheat while you get everything else ready.
• Step Two: Make the Oat Mixture
  In a big bowl, mix together the oats, flour, chopped walnuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly, then stir in the white chocolate chips. Scoop out 2 cups of this and set it aside for the topping.
• Step Three: Press the Crust
  Take the rest of the oat mixture and press it into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. That’s your crust—easy!
• Step Four: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Layer
  In another bowl, beat the cream cheese with a mixer until it’s smooth and creamy. Add the sweetened condensed milk, orange juice, and vanilla, and keep mixing until it’s all blended. Pour it over the crust.
• Step Five: Add the Cranberry Sauce
  In a smaller bowl, stir together the cranberry sauce and cornstarch. Spoon it over the cream cheese layer (don’t worry about spreading it out), then sprinkle the reserved oat mixture over the top.
• Step Six: Bake It Up
  Pop the dish in the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes. You’re looking for a light golden-brown top. If the edges start to brown too much, cover them with a little foil.
• Step Seven: Cool and Serve
  Let it cool all the way before slicing it into squares. You can keep it simple or dress it up with ice cream or whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
• Step Eight: Store the Leftovers
  Cover whatever’s left and stash it in the fridge—if there are any left, that is.

Recipe Tips

Here are a few tips to make these dessert bars turn out just right every time:

• Chill before slicing: For neat edges, refrigerate the bars overnight and cut them cold.
• Fresh cinnamon matters: If your cinnamon has been sitting in the pantry too long, it might be time for a refresh—it makes a difference in flavor.
• Don’t skip the butter: Use unsalted butter to keep the crust rich and perfectly crumbly.

Storage and Freezing Tips

Here’s how I handle storing, leftovers, and freezing these bars:

• Storage: Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
• Leftovers: They taste even better the next day, so don’t rush to finish them all at once!
• Freezing: Freeze the bars in a single layer, then stack with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use quick-cooking oats instead of old-fashioned oats? Quick-cooking oats have a different texture and may result in a softer crust and topping. For the best texture, stick with old-fashioned oats.
• Is it okay to use low-fat cream cheese? Using low-fat cream cheese can affect the richness and texture of the bars. For optimal creaminess, full-fat cream cheese is recommended.
• What if I only have jellied cranberry sauce? Whole berry cranberry sauce provides better texture and flavor for this recipe. If you only have jellied, consider adding some fresh or dried cranberries to enhance the texture.
• Can I use store-bought orange juice? Freshly squeezed orange juice is best for flavor, but store-bought can be used in a pinch. Just make sure it’s pulp-free and 100% juice.
• Can I add other fruits to the filling? While cranberries are traditional, you can experiment with adding a layer of raspberry or blueberry preserves for a different twist.
• Can I make these bars gluten-free? Yes, by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and making sure your oats are certified gluten-free, you can adapt this recipe for a gluten-free diet.

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Print Recipe

5 from 8 votes

Cream Cheese Cranberry Bars

These Cream Cheese Cranberry Bars are a festive dessert with layers of creamy cheesecake filling, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and a buttery oat crumble. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cookie trays, these rich and easy-to-make bars are sure to impress.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time40 minutes mins

Total Time50 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cream Cheese Cranberry Bars

Servings: 16 bars

Calories: 537kcal

Author: Cathy Pollak

Equipment

• measuring cups and spoons
• mixing bowls
• baking dish 9x13
• hand mixer or stand mixer

Ingredients

Oat Mixture:

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter room temperature
• 1 package (11 oz.) white chocolate chips

Cream Cheese Mixture:

• 12 oz. cream cheese room temperature
• 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (strain pulp)
• 2 tsps vanilla extract

Cranberry Sauce:

• 2-2/3 cups whole berry cranberry sauce (this about 1-1/2 cans or 21 oz.)
• 3 tbsps. cornstarch

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, chopped walnuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly, then stir in the white chocolate chips. Reserve 2 cups of this mixture for the topping and set aside.
  2 cups old-fashioned oats, 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts, 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 package (11 oz.) white chocolate chips, 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• Press the remaining oat mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish to form the crust.
• In another large bowl, use a mixer to beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sweetened condensed milk, orange juice, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the oat crust.
  12 oz. cream cheese, 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (strain pulp), 2 tsps vanilla extract
• In a medium bowl, stir together the cranberry sauce and cornstarch. Spoon it over the cream cheese layer without spreading, then sprinkle the reserved oat mixture on top.
  2-2/3 cups whole berry cranberry sauce , 3 tbsps. cornstarch
• Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. The top should be lightly golden brown. If the edges start to darken too much before it’s done, cover them with foil.
• Let the bars cool completely, then cut into squares and serve. They’re great plain, but you can also add a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream with a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flair.
• Cover and refrigerate any leftovers.

Notes

Slicing: For clean, sharp edges when slicing, refrigerate the bars overnight and cut them while they’re cold.

For optimal outcomes when preparing these cream cheese cranberry bars, it's recommended to refer to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.

 

The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.

 

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Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Cream Cheese Cranberry Bars

Amount Per Serving (89 g)

Calories 537 Calories from Fat 263

% Daily Value*

Fat 29.2g45%

Saturated Fat 17.6g110%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1.6g

Monounsaturated Fat 4.9g

Cholesterol 51.5mg17%

Sodium 89.5mg4%

Potassium 74.5mg2%

Carbohydrates 63.5g21%

Fiber 1.8g8%

Sugar 42.3g47%

Protein 6.1g12%

Vitamin A 73.9IU1%

Vitamin C 1.9mg2%

Calcium 25.5mg3%

Iron 2.5mg14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Have you tried this recipe? Share your experience in the comments below and let me know how it turned out.

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