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The Ultimate Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars with Orange Zest

A close-up of a square cranberry bliss bars slice topped with white chocolate frosting and festive sprinkles.
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Make the famous seasonal treat at home with this straightforward recipe for tender cranberry white chocolate blondie bars topped with bright cream cheese frosting and festive sprinkles.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange zest (from about 2 oranges)
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup white chocolate, melted for drizzling
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped for topping
  • Festive red and green sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Fold in the 1 cup of dried cranberries, 1 cup of white chocolate chips, and the 1/4 cup of orange zest into the batter.
  6. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. The edges should be lightly golden.
  7. Let the blondie base cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  8. Prepare the cream cheese frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup softened butter until smooth.
  9. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing until fully incorporated. Beat in the vanilla extract and orange juice until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.
  10. Once the blondie base is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
  11. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the frosting. Immediately sprinkle with the chopped dried cranberries and festive sprinkles.
  12. Chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the frosting to set before lifting out using the parchment paper overhang and cutting into squares.

Notes

  • For the best copycat flavor, use fresh orange zest rather than extract in the frosting.
  • You can control the sweetness by adjusting the amount of powdered sugar in the frosting.
  • Make these bars ahead of time; they store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://rosatasty.com/cranberry-bliss-bars-recipe/