Cranberry Bliss Bars

No ratings yet

These cranberry bliss bars are a homemade version of the popular Starbucks treat that many know and love! Full of flavor and come together easily– these will be a favorite!

Prep Time35

Cook Time18

Total Time55

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cranberry bliss bars, cranberry bliss bars recipe

Servings: bars

Calories: 301kcal

Ingredients

Blondie Layer:

¾ cup unsalted butter (170g) cut into pieces
1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar (280g)
1 teaspoon orange zest
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (335g)
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder (9g)
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup dried cranberries (63g)
1 cup white chocolate chips (156g)

Frosting Layer

8 ounces cream cheese cubed, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar (126g)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon orange zest
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup white chocolate chips (156g) melted
½ cup dried cranberries (63g) chopped
optional: 1-2 teaspoons orange juice

Instructions

Start with the blondie layer: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in 20-second increments, stirring in between, until melted. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until combined. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla. Then, stir in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and orange zest. Finally, fold in the cranberries and chocolate chips.
Spread the dough into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown and toothpick inserted into the center comes out *mostly* clean. Let cool completely. (To speed this up, you can place in the refrigerator after 10 minutes to finish cooling).
To make the frosting: In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until smooth on medium-high speed. Reduce the speed to medium and add the powdered sugar, scraping the bottom and sides as needed, until fully combined. Add the vanilla, orange juice (if using), orange zest, and salt, and beat together until combined. Slowly add half of the melted chocolate and mix until fully combined.
Spread the frosting over the cooled blondies and sprinkle with cranberries. Drizzle with remaining melted chocolate. Cut into 12 bars, then cut each square into triangles.
Leftover bars stay fresh, covered tightly, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

Make Ahead Instructions: The frosting can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Allow it to soften at room temperature for about 20 minutes before stirring and spreading over the bars. The bars (unfrosted) can be made up to 3-4 days in advance.
Freezing Instructions: The unfrosted or frosted bars an be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow the bars to cool completely before storing.

Nutrition