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cranberry bliss bars starbucks recipe

Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 18 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 1/2 cups (300g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup (130g) white chocolate chips, divided
  • 3/4 cup (90g) dried cranberries, divided
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp orange zest (for frosting)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 1 tbsp fresh orange juice

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper. Whisk the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth, add the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and orange zest.
  2. Fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined, then fold in half the white chocolate chips and half the dried cranberries.
  3. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the edges are set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely, at least 45 minutes.
  4. Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, add the powdered sugar, orange zest, vanilla, and orange juice, and beat on medium-high for 1 to 2 minutes until fluffy.
  5. Spread the frosting over the cooled base, scatter the remaining dried cranberries and white chocolate chips on top, lift from the pan, and cut into 18 bars or triangles.

Notes

These bars need the blondie to be fully cool before you frost them, rushing that step is the most common reason the frosting slides. You can bake the base the night before and frost the next day. For the cleanest triangle cuts, chill the frosted slab for 30 minutes first and wipe the knife between each cut.