Cranberry Orange Gooey Butter Bars

Hey y'all! If there's one thing southerners know how to do, it's whip up a dessert that's both charming and delicious. Today, I'm thrilled to share a recipe that's inspired by none other than Betty Crocker's classic, and it's a southern staple that's sure to impress your guests. I'm talking about Cranberry Orange Gooey Butter Bars, a dessert that perfectly combines the classic flavor combo of orange and cranberries but with a modern twist!

What sets this recipe apart, you ask? Well, it's all about that freshly grated orange zest and the burst of tartness from those juicy, fresh cranberries. The zesty orange and the tangy cranberries come together to create a delightful flavor combination. It's a dessert that's simply made for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it's so easy to make, it's practically foolproof!

These gooey butter bars aren't complete without a dollop of freshly whipped cream on top. It's the finishing touch that takes them from delightful to downright heavenly.

So, the next time you're looking for a dessert that's a perfect balance of sweet and tart, try these Cranberry Orange Gooey Butter Bars. It’s a Southern twist on a classic, and they're bound to make your holiday gatherings unforgettable. Get ready to impress your friends and family with a sweet treat that screams Southern charm, one delicious bite at a time. Y'all will love it!

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Cranberry Orange Gooey Butter Bars

Yield: 12

Author: Hayden Jordan

Prep time: 25 MinCook time: 1 H & 5 MTotal time: 1 H & 30 M

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow cake mix
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons grated orange zest

Filling

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted & slightly cooled
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 cups fresh or frozen (thawed) cranberries
• Sifted powdered sugar, for dusting

Freshly Whipped Cream (optional)

• 1 cup cold heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Crust

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Place the yellow cake mix and melted butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed, until just combined.
3. Add the egg and mix for 1 minute on medium speed. Then add the orange zest and mix for another 30 seconds.
4. Lightly pat the dough evenly on the bottom of the lightly greased baking pan.

Filling

1. In a large bowl using an electric hand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese on medium speed for 1-2 minutes, until light and fluffy.
2. Add the melted & cooled butter on low speed, and mix until combined. Then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Slowly add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time.
4. Add the vanilla, and orange zest and mix well, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Use a large spatula to fold in the fresh cranberries. Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the crust.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the center is almost set. Make sure not to over bake, the center should be a little gooey. Let cool on a wire rack for 2 hours before slicing and serving. Dust the bars with powdered sugar and serve with a dollop of whipped cream (see below).

Whipped Cream

1. To make the whipped cream, place the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in the bowl of an electric mixer with a whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until fluffy and stiff peaks form.

Notes

It’s SUPER important to use room-temperature cream cheese or the batter will curdle. A shortcut is to cut up the cream cheese in small cubes or microwave for 15 seconds to soften.

Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker.

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