Cranberry Bliss Bar Bakeoff a Knockoff Recipe
Recipe Introduction
Fancy a bit of Starbucks without the queue? Ever get a craving for those cranberry bliss bars starbucks sell? Honestly, me too! What if I told you, you could whip up a batch at home, even better than the original?
Quick Hook: Bliss in Every Bite
These bars are like a Christmas party in your mouth. We are talking tangy cranberries, zesty orange, and sweet white chocolate.
This cranberry bliss bar recipe is about to become your new fave. It's that perfect mix of festive and frankly, quite addictive.
Brief Overview: A Festive Treat
Originating, of course, from the Starbucks mothership, the cranberry bliss bar has become a festive staple. This copycat version is fairly simple.
From start to finish, give yourself about an hour and 20 minutes. You will yield roughly 12 bars. Perfect for sharing.
..or not!
Main Benefits: More Than Just Delicious
Aside from pure joy, these bars offer a little boost of vitamin C. Thanks to the cranberries, we can say you get that antioxidant! This christmas bars recipe is perfect for holiday gatherings.
Or, you know, a Tuesday afternoon treat for yourself. What makes this recipe special? It's the homemade touch. Ditching the artificial flavour that comes with mass production.
I'm not saying this is healthy, but it’s as close as we are getting today.
Let's get these ingredients sorted and start baking!
Right then, let's talk ingredients for these amazing cranberry bliss bars Starbucks can only dream of! It's all about getting that perfect balance of flavours.
Ingredients & Equipment
Let's dive right in! These homemade cranberry bliss bars are easier than you think. I promise!
Main Ingredients
Here’s what you'll need, mate:
- For the Blondie Base:
- Melted unsalted butter: 1/2 cup (113g) . Proper butter makes all the difference.
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200g) . The regular stuff works a treat.
- Packed light brown sugar: 1/4 cup (50g) . Adds that lovely warmth, innit?
- Large egg: 1 . Free range if you can, adds richness.
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon . Go for good quality, makes a big difference.
- All-purpose flour: 1 1/4 cups (150g) . Plain flour, nothing fancy.
- Baking powder: 1/4 teaspoon . This is what gives it that lovely lift.
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon . Don't skip it, balances the sweetness.
- Dried cranberries: 1/2 cup (75g) , chopped. Get the plump, juicy ones.
- White chocolate chips: 1/4 cup (30g) . Quality matters here.
- Orange zest: 1 tablespoon . Really amps up the flavour.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): 1/4 cup (30g) .
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Softened cream cheese: 4 ounces (113g) . Full fat is best!
- Softened unsalted butter: 1/4 cup (57g) . Make sure it’s really soft.
- Sifted powdered sugar: 2 cups (240g) . Sifting is key for smooth frosting.
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon .
- Orange juice: 1 tablespoon . Freshly squeezed if poss, makes it sing.
- For the White Chocolate Drizzle:
- Chopped white chocolate: 4 ounces (113g) . Again, quality is vital.
- Vegetable oil (or coconut oil): 1 teaspoon . Helps it melt smoothly.
Seasoning Notes
Want to make these Christmas bars recipe even better? I say, never hurts to add some extra flavour!
- Orange and vanilla are your heroes here. They work wonders.
- A tiny pinch of cinnamon in the blondie can add warmth. Just a wee bit.
- No orange? Lemon zest and juice work a treat. Call them orange zest blondies if you want.
Equipment Needed
Keep it simple, yeah? For this cranberry bliss bar dupe :
- 8x8 inch baking pan : Essential.
- Parchment paper : Makes life easier when removing the bars.
- Mixing bowls : Few sizes.
- Electric mixer : Handheld or stand mixer.
- Rubber spatula : Great for scraping down bowls.
- Small saucepan/microwave safe bowl : For melting the white chocolate.
- Zester : For the orange zest.
Seriously, if you want an easier cranberry bliss bar recipe , you can make these cranberry blondies without any fancy gear.
If you only have a metal pan, line it well. And skip the nuts if you don't have any. I promise, these white chocolate cranberry bars are worth it.
And, no one will know it's a starbucks cranberry bliss bars copycat . Nobody needs to know the cranberry bliss bar ingredients .
You're basically making cranberry bliss bars copycat version right at home!. And think about the cranberry bliss bar calories you'll save from not buying them.
Cranberry Bliss Bar Bake Off: A Knockoff Recipe
Fancy a cranberry bliss bar Starbucks style? Honestly, sometimes I just can’t be bothered to trek all the way out.
That's where this bad boy comes in. It nails that perfect festive flavour combo. Think chewy blondie, tangy cranberries, zesty orange and dreamy cream cheese frosting.
It’s basically Christmas in your gob all year round!
Prep Steps: Mise en Place Mania!
Right, first things first. Let’s get organised. It is all about the mise en place, darlings! Get all your cranberry bliss bar ingredients measured out.
Soften your cream cheese and butter now. You will need 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter for the blondie and 1/4 cup (57g) unsalted butter and 4 ounces (113g) cream cheese for the frosting.
Chop 1/2 cup (75g) dried cranberries and 1/4 cup (30g) white chocolate chips . Zest 1 tablespoon of an orange, making sure that you avoid the white bit, which is bitter.
Lining your 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper will save you headaches later. Honestly, trust me on this.
step-by-step Bliss Bar Bonanza
Okay, deep breaths, we're doing this!
- Preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) .
- Make the batter: Whisk melted 1/2 cup (113g) butter , 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar , and 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar .
- Add 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract .
- Mix in 1 1/4 cups (150g) flour , 1/4 teaspoon baking powder , and 1/4 teaspoon salt .
- Fold in cranberries, white chocolate, zest, and nuts if using.
- Bake for 25- 30 minutes . A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs.
- Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar , 1 teaspoon vanilla extract , and 1 tablespoon orange juice . Chill for 30 minutes .
- Frost and drizzle with melted white chocolate.
Pro Tips: Level Up Your Cranberry Blondies
Don’t overbake! Seriously, dry blondies are tragic. Aim for a soft centre. Chilling the frosting is key . It stops it melting everywhere.
I learned that the hard way. Get that starbucks cranberry bliss bars copycat taste by using good quality white chocolate because it melts better.
If you are craving orange zest blondies , don't skip zesting the orange. Make sure to avoid the white pith and always make sure to use evenly distributing cranberry bliss bar ingredients !
These homemade cranberry bliss bars are such a treat. I hope you enjoy this copycat of the cranberry bliss bars starbucks has to offer.
If you are thinking about the cranberry bliss bar calories , just don't.
Recipe Notes for Your Cranberry Bliss Bars Starbucks Copycat
Right, so you're buzzing to make these homemade cranberry bliss bars , eh? Before you get all Mary Berry, let's chew over a few things to make sure they turn out smashing.
Honestly, it's mostly common sense, but a nudge never hurt anyone.
Serving Suggestions: Posh nosh or scoff it straight from the pan?
Okay, presentation time. You could just hack at the blondie with a spoon straight out the pan. But I reckon these cranberry blondies look proper smart when cut into neat squares.
A bit of dusting of icing sugar? Plated with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprig of rosemary? That's restaurant stuff.
Maybe a hot cuppa alongside? Earl Grey, perhaps? Just like the original cranberry bliss bars starbucks serves.
Storage Tips: Keeping the dream alive
These white chocolate cranberry bars are best kept in an airtight container. Bung 'em in the fridge, and they'll be good for up to 4 days.
Freezing is also an option. Just wrap them tightly in cling film and foil, and they'll be grand for a month or two.
To defrost, leave them in the fridge overnight. Reheating? Nah, these are best served cold, the frosting is a proper treat when it melts in your mouth.
I've never tried microwaving cranberry bliss bar dupe and would not recommend it.
Variations: Get your apron on and get creative!
Fancy a change? Swap the orange zest for lemon zest. Ta-dah! You've got lemon bliss bars. Feeling dairy-free? No sweat.
Use dairy-free butter, cream cheese, and white chocolate. There are plenty of decent options out there nowadays. Also, you can't go wrong with other dried fruit like cherries, or even a bit of stem ginger in there! Who doesn't love a christmas bars recipe hack?
I love to make these orange zest blondies with different fruits for all the holidays.
Nutrition Basics: Know what you're scoffing
Okay, brace yourself. Each cranberry bliss bar calories count is around 350, so not exactly a health food. They have about 3g of protein, 20g of fat, 40g of carbs, 30g of sugar, and 100mg of sodium.
But hey, a little treat never killed anyone, right? Plus, cranberries are packed with antioxidants. So, you're basically getting a health boost, innit? The cranberry bliss bar ingredients may seem naughty, but they bring bliss, pure and simple.
So, there you have it. Now get baking and enjoy these starbucks cranberry bliss bars copycat at home. They're a right treat.
Don't be a stranger if you have any questions. Now then, time for a biscuit!
Frequently Asked Questions
Help! My cranberry bliss bars Starbucks copycat recipe turned out dry. What did I do wrong?
Oh dear, a dry blondie is a culinary tragedy! The most likely culprit is overbaking. These bars should be slightly fudgy, so keep a close eye on them in the oven and pull them out when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Also, make sure you're measuring your flour accurately; spooning it into the measuring cup instead of scooping can help.
Can I make cranberry bliss bars Starbucks style ahead of time, and how should I store them?
Absolutely! These bars are great for making ahead. Once frosted and drizzled, cut them into squares and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage; just wrap them individually in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer bag.
They're lovely straight from the fridge, or allowed to sit at room temp for a few minutes before serving.
My cream cheese frosting is too runny! How can I fix it for these cranberry bliss bars?
Runny frosting is a common baking woe, a bit like a soggy bottom on Bake Off! The most frequent cause is that your cream cheese or butter was too warm. Pop the frosting in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour to firm it up.
If it's still too thin, you can gradually add more sifted powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
I don’t have orange zest. Can I still make cranberry bliss bars Starbucks inspired?
Good question! While orange zest really brightens the flavour, you can definitely still make these bars without it. You could try substituting with lemon zest, or a pinch of orange extract if you have some on hand. Alternatively, you could just omit it altogether; they'll still be delicious, though slightly less zesty.
Are there any healthier substitutions I can make in this cranberry bliss bars Starbucks recipe?
You can certainly lighten things up a bit! Try using a sugar substitute like Stevia or Monk Fruit in both the blondie and the frosting. You could also swap half the butter for unsweetened applesauce in the blondie base.
Using whole wheat flour will add some extra fiber and, for the drizzle, you could opt for dark chocolate instead of white for its antioxidant benefits... though, let's be honest, these are still a treat, not a salad!
Can I add nuts to these cranberry bliss bars? What kind would be best?
Absolutely! Nuts add a lovely crunch and flavour. Walnuts or pecans are the classic choice and complement the cranberries and white chocolate beautifully. You can chop them roughly and fold them into the blondie batter before baking.
Alternatively, you could sprinkle chopped nuts on top of the frosting for a more decorative touch.
Cranberry Bliss Bar Bakeoff A Knockoff Recipe
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 350 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 20g |
| Fiber | 1g |
