Description
Indulge in the cozy flavors of holiday spices with these buttery Cranberry Bliss Bars, inspired by Starbucks. Featuring sweet white chocolate, tart cranberries, and zesty orange, they are perfect for festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1½ cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- 1â…“ cups white chocolate (chopped or chips)
- 1â…” cups white chocolate (melted)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
- ½ cup dried cranberries (roughly chopped)
- â…” cup white chocolate (melted)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Melt the unsalted butter in a separate bowl, then stir in the brown sugar. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Mix until smooth.
- Incorporate the dry ingredients gradually into the wet mixture. Fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate.
- Spread the batter evenly in the baking dish and bake for about 25-30 minutes. Let it cool completely in the pan.
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth for the frosting. Add in the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and orange zest until fluffy.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled blondie base and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle chopped cranberries over the frosting, then drizzle melted white chocolate on top. Allow it to set before slicing.
Notes
These bars can be made a day in advance for improved flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg