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Cranberry Bliss Bars

Chewy blondie bars with white chocolate and dried cranberries, topped with orange cream cheese frosting and a white chocolate drizzle. A Starbucks copycat favorite.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 18 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 290
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Blondie Base
  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1.5 cups light brown sugar packed
  • 2 eggs large, room temp
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2.25 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 cup dried cranberries chopped
  • 0.5 cup white chocolate chips
Frosting & Topping
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
  • 1 tsp orange zest grated
  • 0.5 cup dried cranberries chopped, for topping
  • 0.5 cup white baking chocolate melted, for drizzle

Equipment

  • 9x13 Baking Pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Offset spatula
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk melted butter and brown sugar. Add eggs, ginger, and vanilla; mix well.
  3. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
  4. Fold in 1/2 cup cranberries and white chocolate chips.
  5. Spread batter into pan. Bake 18-21 minutes until edges are golden. Cool completely.
  6. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and orange zest until smooth.
  7. Frost the cooled bars. Sprinkle with remaining cranberries.
  8. Melt remaining white chocolate and drizzle over the bars in a zig-zag pattern.
  9. Chill for 1 hour to set before cutting into triangles or squares.

Notes

Cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. Cut into triangles for the classic look.