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Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 143 reviews

These Tasty Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars are luscious blondies loaded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks, topped with a creamy orange-infused cream cheese frosting and finished with a drizzle of melted white chocolate and chopped cranberries. This delightful treat combines rich brown butter flavor and tangy citrus notes, perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a sweet, festive dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Blondie Layer:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (7.5 oz)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp table salt
  • 12 tbsp unsalted butter (6 oz)
  • 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar (10.5 oz)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp grated orange zest
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries (3.5 oz, loosely packed)
  • 1 1/3 cups white chocolate, chopped or chips (8 oz)

For the Frosting:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted (6 oz)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp orange juice
  • 1 tsp orange zest, finely grated
  • 2/3 cup white chocolate, melted (4 oz)

For the Topping:

  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (2.3 oz, loosely packed)
  • 1 2/3 cups white chocolate, melted (10 oz)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the oven rack in the middle. Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and line it with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on both sides for easy removal later. Spray the parchment paper with nonstick spray as well to prevent sticking.
  2. Brown the Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently as the butter foams and the milk solids turn golden brown. Immediately remove from heat and transfer the browned butter into a bowl, scraping in all browned bits. Allow the butter to cool completely before using. This step enhances the blondie’s flavor with a rich, nutty taste.
  3. Mix the Dry and Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, combine the cooled browned butter and brown sugar, whisking until smooth. Add the beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest, stirring until fully incorporated.
  4. Combine Batter and Bake: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a rubber spatula until just combined – avoid overmixing. Fold in the chopped white chocolate and dried cranberries. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until edges are golden and the top is set. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature before frosting.
  5. Prepare and Spread the Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese, sifted confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and finely grated orange zest in a medium bowl until fluffy and smooth. Once the bars are fully cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. You may chill the bars for about 10 minutes afterward to make them easier to decorate.
  6. Add Toppings and Finish: Sprinkle the roughly chopped dried cranberries evenly over the frosted bars. Drizzle the melted white chocolate decoratively over the top. For easier drizzling, place the melted white chocolate in a zip-top bag, snip a corner, and drizzle. Refrigerate the bars until the frosting and chocolate are firm and set for neat slicing.
  7. Slice and Serve: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into triangles or desired shapes. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • Make sure the browned butter is completely cooled before mixing with sugar and eggs to prevent cooking the eggs.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and chewy.
  • Chilling after frosting helps the toppings set better and improves slicing.
  • If your frosting is runny, add a bit more powdered sugar or melted white chocolate to thicken it before spreading.
  • Store bars refrigerated to maintain freshness and texture for up to 5 days.
  • You can use white chocolate chips instead of chopping a white chocolate bar for convenience.

Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, Starbucks copycat, blondies, white chocolate blondies, holiday bars, cranberry bars, cream cheese frosting

Find it online: https://liamjayne.com/starbucks-copycat-cranberry-bliss-bars-recipe/