If you’ve ever had Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting around the holidays at Starbucks (a seasonal dessert of theirs) you know that you’ve tasted a piece of heaven. It’s a moist blondie bar stuffed full of cranberries and white chocolate topped with a creamy, cream cheese frosting.

Now, you can have that same treat all year long with this close-to copycat version of it.

Cranberry Bliss Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 c.) butter, cubes
• 1 1/2 c. light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2 medium eggs
• 3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 c. flour, all-purpose
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 c. dried cranberries
• 4 ounce box of white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped

Blondie Bar Layer Instructions:

Step 1 – Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2 – In medium microwave-safe glass bowl, melt butter in the microwave for one minute or until melted. Stir in the brown sugar.  Let this cool to room temperature.

Step 3 – Transfer the butter and brown sugar mixture to a mixture bowl. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until completely incorporated.

Step 4 – In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Gradually, add the dry mixture to the butter, brown sugar mixture. Mix until well blended.

Step 5 – Mix in the chopped cranberries and white chocolate. The mixture will be thick.

Step 6 – Spread the blondie layer batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-21 minutes or until when a toothpick is inserted in the center and it comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool.

Cream Cheese Frosting Instructions

• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 stick (1/2 c.) butter, softened
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3 3/4 c. powdered sugar
• 1/4 c. dried cranberries, coarsely chopped (These are for decorating the top of the frosting with)

Step 1 – Combine all of the frosting ingredients (except cranberries) into a bowl and mix until completely incorporated.

Step 2 – Spread on top of baked brownie layer and sprinkle with chopped cranberries.

Other ideas for Christmas Treats:

• Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars
• White Chocolate Cranberry Bread Pudding
• Christmas Treats: Cranberry Pecan Pinwheels
• Christmas Treats: Jell-O Popcorn
• Easy (and Frugal) Baked Brie Recipe
• Christmas S’more Bars Recipe

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