Description
These Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful treat featuring a moist, spiced cake base loaded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks, topped with a creamy tangy cream cheese frosting and finished with a sweet drizzle and extra cranberries for a festive, flavorful bar perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a deliciously indulgent snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Bar Layer
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1.5 oz (40g) white chocolate, roughly chopped
Frosting
- 1.5 oz (40g) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon dried cranberries, chopped
Drizzled Icing
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon milk
- 3/4 teaspoon vegetable shortening
Instructions
- Prepare the cake bar layer: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease or line a standard-size loaf tin to prevent sticking.
- Mix butter and sugar: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, ground ginger, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gently fold in the all-purpose flour and baking powder until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Add cranberries and white chocolate: Stir in the chopped dried cranberries and roughly chopped white chocolate to evenly distribute throughout the batter.
- Bake the cake layer: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared loaf tin. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and springs back when lightly pressed.
- Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool completely in the loaf tin to ensure it holds together well and to prepare for frosting.
- Prepare the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the room temperature cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and reaches a creamy frosting consistency.
- Frost the cake: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries on top and gently press them into the frosting to adhere.
- Make the drizzled icing: Combine powdered sugar, milk, and vegetable shortening in a small bowl. Beat them together thoroughly until the icing is smooth and slightly thick but pourable.
- Drizzle the icing: Using a spoon or piping tool, drizzle thin diagonal strips of the icing evenly over the frosted cake to create an elegant finish.
- Chill before serving: Cover the loaf tin with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate the bars overnight. This sets the frosting and icing, making the bars easier to slice and enhancing the flavors.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth, lump-free frosting.
- Chop the dried cranberries and white chocolate roughly for a nice texture throughout the bars.
- Allow the bars to chill overnight to let flavors meld and to firm up the frosting and drizzle.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the bars cleanly after chilling.
- These bars are perfect for holiday gifting or festive celebrations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Starbucks copycat, cranberry bliss bars, white chocolate, cream cheese frosting, holiday dessert, cranberry bars, copycat recipe
