Cranberry Bliss Bars

Name: Cranberry Bliss Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 18 bars
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2/3 cup granulated white sugar; 2/3 cup brown sugar (lightly packed); 1/3 cup unsalted butter (melted); 2 eggs; 1/2 Tablespoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (or chopped white chocolate); 1/3 cup dried cranberries; 1 cup cream cheese (softened); 1/2 cup confectioners sugar; 1/3 cup white baking chocolate (melted); 1/3 cup dried cranberries (chopped); 1 teaspoon vanilla

Cranberry Bliss Bars are a copycat version of the bars you find at Starbucks. These bars are festive, sweet and the perfect holiday treat.

Prep15 min
Cook15 min
Total30 min
Makes18 bars
Calories248

Ingredients

18 bars

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup granulated white sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
1/3 cup unsalted butter (melted)
2 eggs
1/2 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup white chocolate chips (or chopped white chocolate)
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1 cup cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1/3 cup white baking chocolate (melted)
1/3 cup dried cranberries (chopped)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Method

1
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 13x9 -inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
2
In a medium-size bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
3
In another bowl mix together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
4
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones in 2 batches, until the batter is well mixed. Fold in the white chocolate chips and the dried cranberries and mix well.
5
Spread the batter onto the baking pan and press down with the back of a spatula to even out the batter. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the edges are golden brown and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool completely.
6
Meanwhile, prepare the cream cheese frosting; in a large bowl beat with a hand mixer the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until well blended.
7
Frost the (cooled down) bars with the cream cheese frosting and sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries on top. Drizzle with the melted white chocolate.
8
When the white chocolate cools down and sets, cut into 9 large squares, then cut easy square diagonally to create triangles. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Notes

To melt the white chocolate, place the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 10 seconds and stir, then for another 10 second and stir until the chocolate is nice and melted. Be very careful as white chocolate burns and melts faster than milk or dark chocolate. Don’t overbake the batter. Even a few more minutes of baking time will result in a crumbly, dried out bar. Add some orange zest to the cream cheese frosting and/or to the batter. It’s totally optional but it will elevate your frosting and the subtle hints of citrus work wonders in this recipe. Not only that but orange and cranberries are a match made in heaven.