White Chocolate Fruitcake Bars
Delicious holiday-inspired bars combining white chocolate, dried cranberries, and coconut with a buttery shortbread base. These festive treats feature orange zest and fresh ginger for an elegant twist on traditional fruitcake.
Ingredients
- •1¼ cups unsalted butter
- •1½ cups all-purpose flour
- •½ cup almond flour or meal
- •½ tsp baking powder
- •½ tsp kosher salt
- •½ cup granulated sugar
- •1 whole large egg
- •1 Tbsp orange zest
- •1 Tbsp fresh ginger
- •2 tsp vanilla extract
- •1 cup dried cranberries
- •¾ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- •2 oz white chocolate
- •8 oz white chocolate
- •1 Tbsp virgin coconut oil
- •½ tsp kosher salt
- •1 to taste sprinkles
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8" square metal pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides. Butter parchment.
5 min
- 2.
Whisk flour, almonds, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
3 min
- 3.
Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed (or use a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), beat granulated sugar and 1 1/4 cups butter in a large bowl, scraping down sides, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to medium, add egg, and beat until incorporated, about 1 minute more. Scrape down sides of bowl. Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in orange zest, ginger, and vanilla.
7 min
- 4.
With the mixer running on low speed, add dry ingredients and beat just until combined with some visible flour remaining. Add cranberries, coconut, and chocolate. Beat just until incorporated. Scrape down sides of bowl, then fold dough once or twice with a spatula.
5 min
- 5.
Scrape dough into prepared pan. Using dampened fingers or a damp offset spatula, press dough evenly into pan. Bake shortbread until lightly golden brown and set, 25-30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool.
30 min
- 6.
Do Ahead: Shortbread can be baked 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
- 7.
Heat chocolate, oil, and salt in a small heatproof bowl in a microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth and glossy, about 1 minute total. Set aside 2 Tbsp. glaze, then pour remaining glaze over cooled shortbread in pan, spreading to the edges. Let sit at room temperature until set (if you're impatient, chill 10-15 minutes).
15 min
- 8.
Run a paring knife around edge of pan to release, then remove shortbread from pan using parchment overhang. Slice into bars. To slice into diamonds, cut into five 1 1/2" strips, then slice each strip on the bias into 1" diamonds.
10 min
- 9.
Rewarm reserved glaze and drizzle over bars in stripes with a spoon. Top with sprinkles. Let sit at room temperature until set (or chill for 8-10 minutes).
10 min
- 10.
Do Ahead: Bars can be made 5 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
