Description
Delicious, sweet, and tangy bars reminiscent of Starbucks’ famous Cranberry Bliss Bars with a rich white chocolate cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 ounces white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
- 6 ounces melted white chocolate (for topping)
- 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan with parchment or spray it well.
- In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter and light brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and orange extract, and mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, sift or whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Stir the dry mix into the wet mix until just combined; fold in 6 ounces white chocolate chips and 1/2 cup dried cranberries.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the blondie layer cool completely in the pan.
- For the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, then gradually mix in confectioners’ sugar and grated orange peel.
- Melt the 6 ounces white chocolate and fold it into the cream cheese mixture.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled blondie layer and sprinkle with 1/2 cup halved dried cranberries.
- Chill the pan in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set the frosting before cutting into squares.
Notes
Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg