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Better Than Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars: Easy Kid-Approved Dessert

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These Better Than Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars are the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and buttery, with a creamy cream cheese frosting that ties it all together. They’re budget-friendly, kid-approved, and come together in about 30 minutes of active time.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides. Lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Let cool for a minute or two.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, whisking vigorously after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture, folding gently until just combined.
  5. Fold in chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
  6. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
  7. For frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Beat until light and fluffy.
  8. Spread frosting over cooled blondie base. Sprinkle with chopped dried cranberries.
  9. Melt remaining white chocolate chips in 20-second intervals. Drizzle over frosting in a zigzag pattern.
  10. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set. Use parchment handles to lift out, then cut into 24 bars.

Notes

Don’t skip chopping the cranberries for even distribution. Room temperature ingredients are crucial. Use a metal pan for best browning. The bars taste even better the next day. For clean slices, chill before cutting and wipe knife between cuts.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, Starbucks copycat, blondie bars, cream cheese frosting, holiday dessert, easy dessert, kid-friendly

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/better-than-starbucks-cranberry-bliss-bars-easy-kid-approved-dessert/