Description
Starbucks cranberry bliss bars blend white chocolate, cream cheese, and cranberry flavors in a festive dessert. Homemade bars offer a delightful twist you can savor without visiting a coffee shop.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (227 g/8 oz) butter (softened)
- 1 ¼ cup (275 g/9.7 oz) packed brown sugar
- 1 ¼ cups (156 g/5.5 oz) flour
- 3 eggs
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Grated lemon zest
- 2 tbsps (28 g/1 oz) butter (softened)
- 3 tbsps dried cranberries (rough chopped)
- ¼ cup (43 g/1.5 oz) white chocolate
- 10 tsps (25 g/0.9 oz) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) with rack centered. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, creating an overhang for easy removal.
- Batter Creation: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract, then add eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly after each addition. Sift together flour, ground ginger, and salt in a separate bowl, then gently fold into wet ingredients until just combined.
- Incorporation: Fold dried cranberries, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and crystallized ginger into the batter, ensuring even distribution. Transfer mixture to prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly.
- Baking Process: Bake for 28-32 minutes until edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with minimal crumbs. Cool completely on a wire rack for 45-60 minutes.
- Frosting Development: Whip cream cheese and butter until smooth. Blend in lemon zest, vanilla extract, and salt. Gradually add powdered sugar until frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Finishing Touches: Spread cream cheese frosting evenly across cooled cake. Melt white chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, drizzling decoratively over the surface.
- Serving Preparation: Chill for 15-20 minutes to set frosting and drizzle. Remove from pan using parchment paper edges and slice into elegant triangular bars.
Notes
- Ingredient Temperature Matters: Ensure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for smooth, lump-free mixing and better incorporation.
- Avoid Overmixing Batter: Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense bars with a rubbery texture.
- Check Baking Doneness Carefully: Look for golden edges and a toothpick with minimal crumbs to prevent overbaking, which can dry out the bars.
- Chill for Clean Cutting: Refrigerate bars before slicing to achieve crisp, clean-edged triangular pieces that hold their shape perfectly.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 805
- Sugar: 63 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 41 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 93 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg