White Chocolate Fruitcake Bars Recipes

WHITE CHOCOLATE FRUITCAKE BARS

Steps:

• Make the Shortbread:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8" square metal pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides. Butter parchment.
• Whisk flour, almonds, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Do Ahead: Shortbread can be baked 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
• Make the Glaze and Assemble:
• 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).
• 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.
• 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).
• Do Ahead: Bars can be made 5 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

STRAWBERRY AND WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Generously spray bottom and side of 8- or 9-inch round cake pan with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, 3 tablespoons butter, the almond extract and egg with electric mixer on low speed until moistened, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.
• Bake as directed on box for 8- or 9-inch rounds. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, place white chocolate and 2 tablespoons butter in medium metal bowl. In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream over medium heat just to boiling. Immediately pour hot cream over white chocolate and butter. Let stand about 5 minutes or until mixture is melted and smooth when stirred. Let stand until room temperature, about 1 hour.
• Beat cooled white chocolate mixture on high speed until fluffy.
• Cut cake horizontally in half, using long, sharp knife. On serving plate, place 1 layer, cut side up. Spread with 1/2 of the filling; top with 1/2 of the strawberries. Add remaining cake layer, cut side down. Spread remaining filling over top of cake; top with remaining strawberries. Store covered in refrigerator.

FRUITCAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with butter. Line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides; butter paper, and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt; set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, heat brandy until simmering. Remove from heat, and stir in fruit; cool to room temperature. Toss brandied fruit with 1 cup flour mixture; set aside.
• Using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; mix in vanilla. With mixer on low, add remaining flour mixture; mix just until combined. Fold in fruit mixture; transfer batter to prepared pan, and smooth top.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool in pan for 1 hour. Using paper overhang, lift out of pan; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely (still on paper). Invert fruitcake, and peel off paper; flip upright, and cut into 24 diamonds with a serrated knife. Dust with confectioners' sugar, if desired.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BLONDIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan. Melt white chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler, over barely simmering water. Stir occasionally until smooth. Set aside to cool.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat eggs until foamy. With the mixer still running, gradually add the sugar and vanilla. Drizzle in the melted white chocolate mixture. Combine the flour and salt; fold into the white chocolate mixture using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Fold in chocolate chips. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool pan on a wire rack before cutting into bars.

FESTIVE FRUITCAKE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. In large bowl, mix 1 cup flour, the brown sugar, butter, orange peel, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and egg with spoon.
• In medium bowl, mix 1/4 cup flour, the cherries, dates and pecans; stir into brown sugar mixture. Spread in pan.
• Bake about 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat all Orange Glaze ingredients over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly. Drizzle cooled bars with glaze. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 3 rows.

CHOCOLATE CHIP FRUITCAKE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 8-inch square pan with cooking spray. Break up 2/3 of cookie dough into pan. With floured fingers, press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust.
• Break up remaining 1/3 of dough into small bowl. Add candied fruit and flour; mix well. Spread jam over dough in pan. Sprinkle with candied fruit mixture; press lightly into jam.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until deep golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Lightly dust with powdered sugar. Cut into bars.
• Line the pan with foil, allowing enough foil to make the bars easy to lift and transfer to a flat surface for cutting.

EASY FRUITCAKE BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients; set aside. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla and orange zest until blended. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to sugar mixture until well combined. Stir in walnuts and the reserved fruit mixture., Spread into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

CHOCOLATE FRUIT BAR

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
• Stir flour, baking powder and salt together. Beat eggs until light; add sugar gradually, beating well after each addition.
• Stir in almond flavoring, then dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate pieces, fruits, and nuts.
• Spread dough evenly in greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. If desired, when cooled, frost with powdered sugar icing. Cut into bars and garnish each bar with a chocolate piece.

FRUITCAKE BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla. Add flour and walnuts; mix well. Spread evenly into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with pineapple, cherries and dates; press lightly into dough. , Bake at 325° for 45-50 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

FROSTED FRUITCAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Line baking sheet with parchment or grease. In a large bowl, cream together shortening and sugar; add egg, orange zest, and juice. Mix well. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add to creamed ingredients. Stir in raisins, candied fruit and nuts. Shape dough into a strip roughly 7x12 (mine was more like 5x12) and bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven; cool slightly, then frost with glaze while warm. Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired. Cut into strips.
• Glaze: Whisk together all ingredients until smooth.
• Makes about 20, once you've eaten away the scraps.

WHITE CHOCOLATE ORANGE FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Note: For dried fruits, use only nectarines, peaches, pears, apricots or apples; do not use figs, dates or raisins.
• In a medium bowl, combine dried fruits and 2/3 cup Grand Marnier; let stand several hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Line a 9-inch springform pan with a round of waxed paper cut to fit the bottom; butter bottom and sides of pan, dust with flour, then tap out excess flour; set aside.
• To make batter, in a large bowl, beat together butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat in vanilla, orange zest and cinnamon.
• Add white chocolate and beat until mixture is light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add 1 cup flour and beat until well blended.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons flour and 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans to fruit mixture and toss to coat well.
• Add to batter and mix thoroughly.
• Turn batter into prepared pan and smooth top.
• Set springform pan in a larger baking pan and add enough hot water to reach 1 inch up side of springform pan.
• Bake 1 hour and 20 to 30 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in center of cake comes out clean; if top is browning too quickly, cover springform with foil the last 1/2 hour of baking.
• Remove springform pan from water bath.
• Sprinkle remaining 1/3 cup Grand Marnier over top of cake and let cool in pan.
• When completely cool, run a sharp knife around edges of pan to loosen cake.
• Remove springform side of pan.
• Carefully remove cake from bottom of pan; peel off wax paper.
• Wrap cake in plastic wrap, then wrap in foil.
• Refrigerate at least 2 to 3 days or up to 2 weeks before serving.
• For longer storage, freeze cake.
• Do not frost at this time.
• To make the white chocolate topping, in a 1 quart glass bowl, heat cream in a microwave oven on high 30-45 seconds, or until very hot.
• Stir in white chocolate, mixing well.
• Return to microwave and heat on medium for 30 to 60 seconds, or until chocolate is melted when stirred.
• Stir in Grand Marnier.
• Cover and refrigerate until glaze thickens to spreading consistency.
• An hour before serving time, unwrap cake and frost evenly with White Chocolate Topping.
• Garnish edge of top of cake with apricot halves.
• Sprinkle additional chopped pecans over center of cake.
• Return to refrigerator until serving time.