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Cranberry Bliss Bars

Have I got a recipe for you! A few weeks back, I was visiting In a Garden...who was sharing her version of Starbuck's Cranberry Bliss bars.


Truth be told, I had never tried this Starbuck's holiday treat but they looked most delicious, so I just had to check them out for myself. We had friends coming over for coffee last night and I happened to have all the ingredients on hand...so here is my version. They are rather rich but most delightful!


Cranberry Bliss Bars

Cake:
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup diced dried cranberries
  • 6 oz. white chocolate, cut into chunks
Frosting:
  1. 4 oz. cream cheese, softened (half a brick)
  2. 3 cups icing sugar
  3. 4 teaspoons lemon juice
  4. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  5. 1/4 cup diced dried cranberries
Drizzled Icing:
  • 1/2 cup icing sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon milk
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Make cake by beating butter and sugar together until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, ginger and salt and beat well. Gradually mix in flour until smooth.
  3. Dice cranberries. Add 3/4 cup cranberries and white chocolate chunks to batter; fold in.
  4. Pour batter into a well-greased 9" x 13" baking pan...spread evenly. Bake for 35 minutes or until cake is lightly browned on the edges. Allow to cool.
  5. Make frosting by combining cream cheese, icing sugar, lemon juice and vanilla in a medium bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Frost cooled cake, using spatula to spread evenly.
  6. Sprinkle 1/4 cup diced cranberries over freshly frosted cake
  7. Whisk together 1/2 cup icing sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and shortening. Drizzle icing over cranberries. I used a pastry bag with a fine tip.
  8. Allow cake to sit for several hours before slicing. 
  9. Slice the cake lengthwise through the middle; then cut across three times, making a total of eight rectangle slices. Slice each of these pieces in half diagonally.



Yield: 16 generous, yummy slices of cranberry bliss.

Enjoy!

16 comments:

  1. oh judy, these really do look very very scrmptious. i haven't had those at star bucks either....and i won't... but i think this would be really good to try when friends come for coffee. yum!

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  2. These really do look wonderful and probably taste fresh from the oven as opposed to the original you eluded to. I love cranberries and will give these a try. . .once all my other baking has dissapeared. .oh vey, it is sitting around everywhere. .

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  3. Judy...these look beyond belief crazy good! AND....as our work cafeteria is closed between Christmas and New Years...I was wondering what I might bring in to cheer the diligent staff....great post. Thanks!

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  4. Let me vouch for these...I was one of the honored guests, and I totally thought that she had bought them at Starbucks until she pulled me aside and said the found the recipe.
    And of course Judy knows how to put the extra touch to those bars.
    Way to go!!!

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  5. oh judy, those look scrumptious!

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  6. Oh these look so yummy. I want to bring something special to the girls at work mid January. You know...that time we all feel alittle sluggish. This just may be the treat. Kathy

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  7. I am so honored and tickled that I have inspired you Judy! Glad your company enjoyed. I did end up cutting mine into smaller pieces. They were so rich. It is always fun to have a new recipe for the holidays.

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  8. These make my mouth water! Love all your recipes and can't wait to get back to trying some soon! Thank you for everything you add to our lives! You inspire us each and every day! Happy New Year and blessings to you all!

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  9. I made these yesterday and my daughter in law who had indulged in one at Starbucks earlier in the day said they were exactly the same! My son, who is not such a big sweets fan ate about 5 bars! Thanks for the yummy recipe!

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  10. Yummy!!!
    I made these for a New Years Eve party I went to, and I think it was the only thing there weren't leftovers of!
    Great find!

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  11. I am wondering or confirming that I could likely bake this cake in a jelly roll or cookie sheet, right? Looks as though there is enough thickness that could be spread thinner this way?
    Please advise!! Thanks!!

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  12. Jen...I am sure you could bake these bars in a larger pan. Baking time would likely be 20 or 25 minutes.

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  13. I love those bars at Starbucks, and i love to bake. Will defiantely be adding this to my repertoire of Christmas baking this year. Thanks for the recipe.

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  14. can you freeze these? I was going to make them for a bake sale we are having in November

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