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Easy Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars - featured image
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These Easy Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars are a quick and delicious dessert that tastes just like the Starbucks original, but better. With a soft, chewy blondie base studded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting, they are perfect for holiday baking or any weeknight treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons dried cranberries, roughly chopped (for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides. Lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract and whisk vigorously for about 30 seconds until glossy and well combined.
  3. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the bowl. Fold with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  4. Gently fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
  5. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  6. Place the pan on a wire cooling rack and let the blondie cool completely in the pan (about 1 hour).
  7. While the blondie cools, make the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter with an electric hand mixer until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest (if using). Beat on low until incorporated, then increase to medium-high and beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
  8. Once the blondie is completely cool, use the parchment sling to lift it out of the pan and place it on a cutting board. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
  9. Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips over the frosting. Gently press them in so they stick.
  10. Place the frosted blondie in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set the frosting. Cut into 9 or 16 bars with a sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between cuts.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients for the frosting. Chill the assembled bars before cutting for clean slices. The bars taste even better the next day. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter and dairy-free cream cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, copycat recipe, Starbucks, blondie, cream cheese frosting, holiday baking, easy dessert

Find it online: https://evabake.com/easy-copycat-cranberry-bliss-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting/