These Cranberry Bliss Bars are an easy Starbucks copycat that are just as good as the originals. They feature a chewy, soft blondie studded with festive cranberries and white chocolate and are topped with an orange-infused cream cheese frosting.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Cranberry Bliss Bars
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Total Time 40 minutesminutes
Servings 24pieces
Calories 319kcal
Author Michelle
Ingredients
1cupunsalted buttermelted
1½cupsbrown sugar
2large eggs
1teaspoonvanilla extract
½teaspoonorange extract
2cupsall purpose flour
1teaspoonbaking powder
½teaspoonground ginger
½teaspoonsalt
1cupwhite chocolate chips
1cupdried cranberries
Frosting
8ouncescream cheesesoftened
4tablespoonsunsalted butter softened
1½cupspowdered sugar
½teaspoonvanilla extract
¼teaspoonorange extract
½teaspoonorange zest(optional)
Toppings
⅓cupdried cranberries
⅓cupwhite chocolate chips
½teaspoonolive oil
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9"x13" cake pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add butter and brown sugar and cream together.
Add eggs, vanilla, and orange extract. Beat again until combined.
Add flour, baking powder, ginger, and salt. Beat again until just combined. Do not overmix.
Fold in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
Spread batter evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, until set and golden brown at the edges.
Remove from oven and place pan on a wire rack to cool. Allow bars to cool completely before topping with frosting.
Frosting
In a large mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Add powdered sugar and continue beating until combined.
Add remaining frosting ingredients and beat until smooth (if frosting feels gritty, keep beating. It means the sugar hasn't fully incorporated yet)
To Assemble
Top cooled bars with frosting.
Sprinkle with dried cranberries.
In a small microwave-safe mixing bowl, add chocolate chips and olive oil. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each one, until smooth and melted.
Drizzle melted chocolate over bars using a spoon. Or transfer to a zip bag, cut the small corner off, and gently squeeze melted chocolate over the bars.
Allow chocolate to set (about an hour). Then cut into triangles and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Make Ahead: You can make these bars and the frosting 1 days in advance. Store the bars covered, at room temperature, and the frosting covered and in the refrigerator. Frost before cutting and serving.
Storage: Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer Directions: You can freeze the unfrosted bars for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, frost, cut, and serve.