These Cranberry Bliss Bars are made with a blondie base, with cranberries and white chocolate chips, they're topped with a sweet cream cheese frosting and white chocolate drizzle! A Starbucks Copycat Recipe, they're perfect for the holiday season.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8″ pan with foil or parchment and spray with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, combine brown sugar and melted butter. Whisk until smooth.
Add the egg, vanilla, and salt, and whisk until combined.
Add flour and salt, and stir just until combined.
Stir in the cranberries and white chocolate chips. Spread into the prepared pan or cookie sheet and bake for 20–22 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean in the center. Set aside to cool completely.
Frosting
In a small bowl, melt white chocolate in the microwave on medium-high heat in 30-second intervals, stirring each time until smooth. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and most of the white chocolate (leave about a tablespoon to drizzle on top).
Spread frosting over the cooled bars. Sprinkle with dried cranberries, and drizzle the remaining white chocolate over the top.
Chill for 1 hour, or until frosting and chocolate are set. Slice and serve.
Video
Notes
Ingredients and Substitutions:
Butter: I use salted butter when baking, but unsalted butter works just fine. If you are using unsalted butter, you could increase the added salt by ⅛ teaspoon to compensate if desired.
Flour: I use all-purpose flour in this recipe, but whole wheat flour works just as well. You can combine the two or use 100% whole wheat flour.
White chocolate: I have the best luck melting white chocolate chips in the microwave rather than on the stovetop. If you can adjust the temperature of your microwave to 50–60%, that is even better. Heat in small increments and stir each time; don't overheat it or it will burn!
Optional add-ins: a touch of orange zest, orange extract, or almond extract would be great in here!
Frosting swap:This cream cheese frosting does not set firmly like a traditional buttercream, so I would avoid stacking them unless frozen and store them in the fridge or freezer. If you prefer a firmer frosting, try this Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies frosting recipe.Storage
Store: Store your Cranberry Bliss Bars in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap on the counter for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Freeze: Freeze these bars before adding the frosting and any toppings! Wrap them in plastic wrap, or put them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between each layer, and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow them to defrost at room temperature before adding the frosting.