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Easy Kid-Approved Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

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These homemade cranberry bliss bars are a budget-friendly, kid-approved twist on the classic coffee shop treat. With a chewy blondie base, tangy dried cranberries, white chocolate, and a creamy cream cheese frosting, they’re perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries (sweetened or juiced)
  • 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 tablespoon milk (or heavy cream)
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips, melted (for drizzling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. Lightly spray with non-stick spray.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the 1/2 cup butter. Swirl occasionally until it foams, then settles, and brown specks form (about 4-5 minutes). Pour into a large mixing bowl immediately and let cool for 5 minutes.
  3. Add the packed brown sugar to the warm butter and whisk until combined. Add the room temperature egg and vanilla extract, whisk vigorously until smooth and glossy (about 1 minute).
  4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour into the wet mixture and fold gently with a rubber spatula until just combined (do not overmix).
  5. Gently fold in the 1/2 cup dried cranberries and 1/2 cup white chocolate chips. Spread the thick dough evenly into the prepared pan, using lightly wet fingers to press into corners.
  6. Bake for 20-22 minutes, until edges are golden and center is set but still soft. A toothpick inserted should come out with moist crumbs. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack (at least 30 minutes).
  7. For the frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and 2 tablespoons butter together until smooth and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 tablespoon milk. Beat on low until combined, then high for 30 seconds until light and spreadable.
  8. Spread frosting evenly over cooled blondie base. Sprinkle chopped dried cranberries on top. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips in 15-second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each, until smooth. Drizzle over bars.
  9. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to set frosting. Use parchment overhang to lift the block onto a cutting board. Slice into 12-16 bars with a sharp knife.

Notes

For best results, do not overbake; bars should be soft and chewy. Room temperature ingredients help create a tender texture. Chilling before slicing yields clean cuts. Bars taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, Starbucks copycat, kid-friendly, budget-friendly, blondie bars, cream cheese frosting, white chocolate, dried cranberries

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/easy-kid-approved-cranberry-bliss-bars-recipe/