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Cozy Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars – Easy Holiday Dessert

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These cranberry bliss bars are a happy accident turned holiday favorite. A buttery shortbread base is topped with a chewy cranberry-white chocolate layer and finished with a tangy cream cheese drizzle. They’re quick, easy, and perfect for cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (if frozen, do not thaw)
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, plump and moist
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips (such as Ghirardelli)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (full-fat)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk (only if needed to thin frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease the parchment.
  2. Make the shortbread base: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add flour and salt; mix on low until just combined (dough will be crumbly). Press evenly into prepared pan. Bake 12-15 minutes until edges are barely golden. Set on a wire rack to cool slightly.
  3. Prepare the cranberry-white chocolate layer: In the same bowl, whisk eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth and glossy. Add 1/4 cup flour and whisk until no streaks remain. Gently fold in fresh cranberries, dried cranberries, and white chocolate chips with a rubber spatula. Pour over warm shortbread base and spread evenly.
  4. Bake 20-25 minutes until topping is set around edges but slightly jiggly in center. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack (1-2 hours).
  5. Make the cream cheese frosting: In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth (2 minutes). Add sifted powdered sugar and vanilla; beat on low until combined. If too thick, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until pourable.
  6. Once bars are completely cool, drizzle frosting over top and spread evenly. Use a fork to create wavy lines. Garnish with extra dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Let frosting set 15 minutes. Use parchment handles to lift bars out; cut into squares with a sharp knife, wiping blade between cuts.

Notes

Don’t overmix shortbread dough. Use room temperature eggs. Watch bake time carefully—start checking at 20 minutes. Cool bars completely before frosting. For clean slices, chill bars 30 minutes before cutting. Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, Starbucks copycat, holiday dessert, cranberry white chocolate bars, easy holiday baking

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/cozy-starbucks-copycat-cranberry-bliss-bars-easy-holiday-dessert/