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Cranberry Bliss Bars Starbucks

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Soft and chewy cranberry bliss bars with brown sugar, orange, ginger, dried cranberries, and white chocolate, topped with creamy orange cream cheese frosting. A festive Starbucks-style treat perfect for holiday dessert trays and gifting.

Ingredients

½ cup butter

⅔ cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tbsp orange zest

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp salt

½ cup white chocolate chips

½ cup dried cranberries, chopped

3 tbsp orange juice

1 cup cream cheese

⅓ cup confectioner’s sugar

4 tbsp orange juice

1 tbsp orange zest

1 tsp vanilla extract

⅓ cup white chocolate chips, for drizzle

Dried cranberries, for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×10-inch baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. Beat the butter and brown sugar together until smooth and well combined.
  3. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, orange zest, baking powder, ground ginger, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing with a mixer or spatula until combined.
  6. Add the chopped dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and orange juice. Mix until evenly distributed. The dough should be thick, sticky, and soft.
  7. Spread the dough evenly in the prepared baking tray to approximately ½ inch thick, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
  8. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the surface is set and the edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars soft and chewy.
  9. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool for at least 15 minutes before frosting.
  10. To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract for no more than 1 minute, just until combined.
  11. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars and sprinkle with chopped dried cranberries.
  12. Melt the remaining white chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring after each interval until smooth.
  13. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the frosted bars and allow it to set for 10 to 15 minutes.
  14. Cut the bars into 3- to 4-inch squares, then cut each square diagonally into triangles before serving.

Notes

Add extra orange zest for a stronger citrus flavor.

For warmer holiday spice, add a small pinch of cinnamon with the ground ginger.

Do not add extra flour if the dough seems thick and sticky; this texture is expected.

For clean slices, allow the frosting and chocolate to set completely and wipe the knife between cuts.

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days, placing parchment paper between layers.

For a softer texture, let refrigerated bars sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Freeze in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Do not reheat frosted bars, as heat can melt the cream cheese frosting and white chocolate drizzle.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://chocolatecoveredamy.com/cranberry-bliss-bars-starbucks/