Description
These Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful Starbucks copycat recipe featuring a soft, buttery base studded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, dried cranberries, and drizzled white chocolate. Perfect for holidays or anytime you crave a sweet, festive treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup (222g) salted butter
- 1 1/2 cup (369g) brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 2 cups (304g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp corn starch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1 cup (200g) white chocolate chips
- 1 cup (130g) dried cranberries (craisins)
Frosting & Toppings
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 oz salted butter, softened
- 4 cups (428g) powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup (60mL) heavy cream, room temperature
- 2 tsp clear vanilla
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1 cup (130g) dried cranberries (craisins)
- 1/2 cup (100g) white chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside for easy removal of bars later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl or using a stand mixer, cream together 1 cup salted butter and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring proper aeration for a soft texture.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to incorporate fully and create a smooth batter.
- Mix in Flavors: Stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest until evenly combined, enhancing the bar’s flavor profile.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Combine the all-purpose flour, corn starch, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and ginger. Add this mixture gradually to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries to evenly distribute the bursts of sweetness throughout the batter.
- Transfer to Pan and Bake: Spread or press the thick batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Bars: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack to ensure the frosting does not melt when applied.
- Prepare Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and 3 oz salted butter until smooth and creamy using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing slowly to incorporate and maintain a smooth consistency.
- Add Vanilla and Adjust Consistency: Mix in clear vanilla until smooth, then add heavy cream gradually, up to 1/4 cup, adjusting the frosting to your preferred spreadable consistency.
- Frost the Bars: Once bars are completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle dried cranberries and orange zest over the frosted bars for added flavor and decorative appeal.
- Drizzle White Chocolate: Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals until smooth. Transfer to a zip-top bag, snip off a corner, and drizzle over the bars.
- Chill and Serve: Place the pan in the refrigerator to allow the frosting to set, then cut into squares and triangles for serving. Enjoy your cranberry bliss bars!
Notes
- For best results, ensure bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- You can substitute dried cherries for cranberries if preferred.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and clean edges.
- Adjust the heavy cream in frosting to get your desired thickness or spreadability.
- Store bars in the refrigerator to keep the frosting firm and fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approximate)
- Calories: 323
- Sugar: 39g
- Sodium: 222mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.4g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 44mg
