Cranberry Bliss Bars

Yep. These are those delightful bars that stare you in the face while you're ordering your Grande Peppermint Mocha at Starbucks.

Make a batch of these copycats, keep them refrigerated until you want need your next cup of coffee, and then bask in the gloriousness of your coffee and Cranberry Bliss Bar.

And, these come just in time for all your holiday gatherings.

You. Are. Welcome.

Side note: Don't be intimidated by the number of ingredients and steps. These bars were actually quite easy to make. If you can measure, stir, and pour than these can be made. The most difficult part for me was drizzling the chocolate to make it look 'pretty.' And then waiting to devour them… That part is always the most difficult.

Cranberry Bliss Bars - A Starbucks Copycat

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup white chocolate chips
1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped

Frosting:
8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 oz white baking chocolate, melted
1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

How they come together:
Preheat oven to 350º. Lightly spray 9x13 non-stick baking pan with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; stir to blend.
In a separate bowl, whisk sugars with butter, eggs whites, oil, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
Whisk dry ingredients into wet ingredients in two additions until batter is very well blended. If batter looks 'crumbly' rather than smooth, add one drop of water at a time, until batter smooths out.
Fold in white chocolate chips and 1/3 cup cranberries.
Spread batter evenly onto the baking pan (baking tip: use the back, or underside, of a measuring cup to ensure batter is smoothly evened out).
Bake 15-25 minutes, or until edges are light brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Don't over-bake or bars will be dry.
Let cool completely on a wire rack.
Prep frosting; in a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until well blended.
Frost bars and sprinkle with remaining cranberries.
Drizzle with melted white chocolate (baking tip: melt chocolate by placing in microwave safe cup and heat for 15 seconds; stir. Add another 15 seconds; stir until chocolate is melted).
When chocolate sets, cut into triangles.
Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Enjoy!

Linking up with Elizabeth and Courtney's Christmas Desserts and Tacky Sweaters party!

Recipe Inspiration :: Skinny Taste