Cranberry bliss bars top macro by Chic n Cheap Living

In the Kitchen: White Chocolate Cranberry Bliss Bars {recipe} inspired by Starbuck’s

December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas to my friends who celebrate the holiday!  Happy holidays and I hope you have something sweet today!  I’ll be back later this week!

I love to bake and share buttery, sugary sweets with my and loved ones.
Cranberry bliss bars top macro by Chic n Cheap Living I do have a little guilt though about loading up my friends and family with these fattening concoctions without there being at least some benefit.  So I look for lower fat recipes or try to sneak in a healthy ingredient or two.  Bren’s recipe here seemed to be perfect – it is sweet, but also has the warm notes of ginger and a load of cranberries for that great boost of antioxidants.  These bars were a hit with my husband and friends at our holiday party.  It’s all about the white chocolate and cream cheese frosting. The colors definitely evoke the holidays as well and these easy bars put me in a wonderful mood.
Cranberry bliss bars top on platter by Chic n Cheap Living

Cranberry bliss bars

Adapted from Flanboyant Eats

Bar Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup minced dried cranberries, soaked in 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/4 cup + 1 tsp. white chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting Ingredients

  • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp. butter, room temperature
  • 1 tsp. vanilla

Garnish Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. minced dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup white chocolate chips

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, ginger, baking powder and salt, set aside.

2. Chop cranberries and soak 1/3 cup cranberries in vanilla.

3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and blend well. Fold in flour mixture until well incorporated. Spread batter into a 9″x13” pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and center is set. Allow to cool completely, about one hour.
Cranberry bliss bars rows by Chic n Cheap Living Cranberry bliss bars side macro by Chic n Cheap Living

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  • Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans December 24, 2013 at 10:52

    Le sigh. These look so incredible. I eye them every single time I visit Starbucks!!

    xx

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living December 24, 2013 at 21:24

      Thank you dear! These really are easy to make too so you don’t have to go to Starbucks! Happy holidays dear!

  • elle sees December 24, 2013 at 20:14

    those look DIVINE!

  • Krysten December 25, 2013 at 10:32

    Oooh yummy!

  • Kim of A Very Sweet Blog December 25, 2013 at 14:12

    They look blissful and delicious! Merry Christmas doll and enjoy your holiday!
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

  • Johanna December 26, 2013 at 09:58

    Oh my gosh, do you know how much I love these? No joke. I could eat them by the handful!

  • Kashaya December 26, 2013 at 15:31

    Oh those look so yummy!

  • Lyddiegal December 27, 2013 at 09:58

    These look so good – and I have had my fare share of the from starbucks. Though I must admit, I go for the full fat everything. If you are going to indulge, might as well be indulgent.

  • […] – In the Kitchen: Cranberry Bliss Bars inspired by Starbuck’s […]

  • joanne January 30, 2014 at 10:47

    Looks amazing…must try it at some point. I love all things dessert so this is going to be perfect!

    Follow my new blog, Crepes On a Tuesday

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living January 31, 2014 at 00:17

      Thank you for your kind comments! These cranberry bliss bars really are easy and tasty. I hope you get to make them and enjoy!

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