If you are a Starbucks lover like me, then I am sure you have seen these yummy Cranberry Bliss Bars in their Pastry Case. My hubby and I love these, and I think you will too! I am reposting this recipe for you all from last year! 
If you are searching for a different way to use cranberries this holiday season, you should definitely try this dessert! It combines white chocolate, cranberries, and an orange cream cheese frosting all married together for one sweet dessert!
Here is the recipe for these simply sweet dessert bars–(credit goes to Cookin’ Diva at Recipezaar for this unbelievable take on the real thing! Yes, they taste just like the bars at Starbucks, which is deadly!
BARS
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks, melted)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons orange extract or vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3/4 cup craisins (dried cranberries)
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
FROSTING
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange extract (or vanilla)
TOPPING
- 1/3 cup craisins, chopped
- 1-2 tablespoon grated orange rind
- 1/3 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon canola oil
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (325 for a glass or dark pan). Prepare a 10×15 by lining it with parchment paper or use a non-stick spray.
- BARS: Melt butter; cool slightly. With an electric mixer, beat together melted butter and sugars 3-5 minutes until light; gently blend in eggs and orange extract. Add the flour, baking powder, and ginger and beat briefly. Add the cranberries and chips, stirring just until incorporated.
- Spread thick batter in prepared 10×15 pan. Bake 350 for 23-24 minutes until light brown and a skewer tests clean. Don’t overbake. Let it cool completely. NOTE: If you use a 9×13 pan, the bars will be thicker and will take 27-29 minutes. **I used a 9 x 13 pan and they were perfect**
- FROSTING: Blend cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add orange extract and confectioner’s sugar and beat until frosting is fluffy and spreadable (adding 1 t. milk if needed). Spread evenly over COOLED bars.
- GARNISH: Use a zester to remove rind from an orange; sprinkle zest over frosted bars. Chop 1/3 cup Craisins coarsely; sprinkle over frosted bars.
- DRIZZLE: Mix white chocolate and oil in a glass measuring cup. Microwave 1 minute; stir until melted. Use a fork or whisk to drizzle the white chocolate diagonally across the bars.
- Allow one hour for the white chocolate to set before cutting. **To make signature Starbuck triangles, cut into 20 large squares (5 cuts by 4 cuts with the knife). Then cut each square in half diagonally to create triangles.
These are so delicious–you will not be able to eat just one! What a great gift these would also make for someone on your list! Enjoy! 🙂
