How to Make the Perfect Cranberry Bliss Bars
American · Easy · 45 min · 16 servings
These copycat Starbucks cranberry bliss bars are a kid friendly holiday treat with a chewy blondie base dotted with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. The sweet cream cheese frosting and festive cranberry topping makes these bars a showstopper that kids love helping to decorate.
Why this recipe works
This Cranberry Bliss Bars recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 45 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 285 calories with 3g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 whole large eggs
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 0.75 cup white chocolate chips divided
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries divided
- 4 ounce cream cheese softened
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Mix and Bake the Blondie Base
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Whisk melted butter and brown sugar then beat in eggs. Stir in flour until combined then fold in half the white chocolate chips and half the cranberries. Spread into a parchment lined 9x13 inch pan and bake for 22 to 25 minutes until golden. Cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese with 1 cup of powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. The frosting should be thick enough to spread without running off the bars.
Step 3: Frost the Bars
Spread the cream cheese frosting in an even layer over the completely cooled blondie base using an offset spatula. Work quickly and gently so you do not pull up the blondie layer underneath.
Step 4: Add the Toppings
Scatter the remaining dried cranberries and remaining white chocolate chips over the frosted surface. Drizzle with a little extra melted white chocolate if desired. Chill for 30 minutes before slicing into triangles or squares.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- dried cranberries → dried cherries or dried blueberries for a different fruity flavor
- cream cheese frosting → vanilla buttercream for a simpler topping option
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Frosting the blondie base while it is still warm which causes the cream cheese frosting to melt and slide off
- Overbaking the blondie which makes it dry and crumbly instead of chewy and moist
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 285 calories, 3g protein, 36g carbs, 15g fat, 1g fiber.
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