Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful treat that gained popularity at Starbucks during the holiday season. These bars feature a sweet and tangy cranberry-white chocolate flavor profile with a hint of ginger and orange. Making them at home allows you to enjoy this festive dessert year-round. Here’s a detailed recipe for Cranberry Bliss Bars:
Ingredients:
For the Bars:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon pure orange extract (optional)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or chunks
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Topping:
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup white chocolate chips or chunks
- 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
Prepare the Bars:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract and optional orange extract.
Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground ginger.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
Bake:
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Prepare the Frosting:
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
Add the softened butter and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
Frost the Bars:
Once the bars have cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the bars.
Add Toppings:
Sprinkle the dried cranberries, white chocolate chips or chunks, and grated orange zest (if using) over the frosting.
Chill and Cut:
Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the frosting to set.
Once the bars are chilled, use a sharp knife to cut them into squares or triangles.
Serve:
Serve your homemade Cranberry Bliss Bars and enjoy!
These bars are a delicious blend of sweet, tart, and creamy flavors, making them a perfect treat for any occasion. You can also drizzle some melted white chocolate over the top for an extra decorative touch, just like the Starbucks version.
