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Softest Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars: A Cozy Holiday Delight
Oh my goodness, have you ever tried the Softest Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars? They’re like a hug in dessert form! I first had these during winter one year, and I just fell in love. The sweet and tangy flavors, combined with that creamy frosting, are simply irresistible. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy night in, these bars are something you absolutely need to whip up for yourself. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
What Are Softest Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars?
Softest Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars are delightful, chewy treats that boast a perfect balance of sweetness from the white chocolate and tartness from the dried cranberries. The soft texture makes them a total crowd-pleaser, and they’re lovely for snacking or dessert. With a simple recipe and a few ingredients, you can recreate the magic of these holiday favorites right in your kitchen. They’re stunning to look at, too, with that lovely white frosting and sprinkle of cranberries on top!
Ingredients Overview for Softest Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars
Here’s what you will need to make these marvelous bars. Don’t worry if you don’t have something on hand; I’ll give you some easy swaps!
- Unsalted Butter: This gives our bars their lovely rich flavor. You can use margarine if that’s what you have.
- Brown Sugar: Light or dark, both will work well here! They add a wonderful caramel flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweet is key! It pairs beautifully with brown sugar for the perfect sugary balance.
- Eggs: These act as binders, keeping everything together. You can use flax eggs if you want a vegan option.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla is the best for that comforting aroma and flavor. I’m obsessed with it!
- All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of our bars. If you need a gluten-free version, consider almond flour as a substitute!
- Baking Powder: It helps our bars rise and become soft and fluffy.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all those lovely flavors!
- Dried Cranberries: They add that magical tartness. Try using cherries if you prefer!
- White Chocolate Chips: This sweet addition offers that dreamy chocolate experience.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Softest Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). You want it nice and warm for our bars.
- Grease the Pan: Grab a baking dish (about 9×13 inches) and lightly grease it with butter or non-stick spray.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This might take about 3-4 minutes. The texture should be airy!
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Everything should be creamy and homogenous.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly mix this dry combo into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in Cranberries and Chocolate: Gently fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Oh my gosh, this is when it starts to get exciting!
- Spread and Bake: Pour the batter into the greased pan, and spread it out evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn golden. Just a note: you want these guys to be soft, so don’t overbake them.
- Cool and Frost: Let them cool completely before adding your frosting (see below for the recipe), then cut into bars. I love cutting them into squares for perfect serving sizes!
Frosting and Serving Suggestions
Once the bars are cool, it’s time to frost! Here’s a simple frosting recipe:
- Cream Cheese: 1 package, softened
- Butter: 2 tablespoons, softened
- Powdered Sugar: 1 cup
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Mix everything until smooth and creamy. Spread generously over your cranberry bliss bars. For a lovely touch, sprinkle extra dried cranberries on top!
Serving these beauties is super fun. I like to pair them with a hot cup of coffee or tea, especially during those chilly evenings. You can even serve them at parties on a pretty platter, or wrap them up lovingly for special gifts.
Tips for the Perfect Softest Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: You want everything mixed just enough until there are no dry spots, but not too much. This keeps the bars soft!
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature for the best consistency.
- Add Texture: For a little crunch, consider adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the mix.
- Chill Before Cutting: If you want clean edges, chill the bars in the fridge for a bit before cutting.
Q&A Section
Q: Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
A: Fresh cranberries are much more tart, so if you decide to use them, consider adding a touch more sugar to balance it out.
Q: How do I store these bars?
A: Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer-lasting enjoyment!
Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
A: Absolutely! Just substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Q: What’s the best way to cut these bars?
A: Use a sharp knife, and for clean cuts, wipe it with a damp cloth between slices.
Why You’ll Adore This Recipe
These Softest Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars are soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor. The combination of the sweet frosting, chewy cranberries, and creamy white chocolate makes each bite pure bliss. Plus, they look so festive! They’re perfect for a holiday dessert table or as a sweet treat during movie nights. You will love how simple they are to make and how much joy they’ll bring to your friends and family.
The Journey Behind the Recipe
When I was trying to replicate those Softest Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars, I had quite the adventure! The first batch? Let’s just say they were more like hockey pucks than bars. I learned the importance of creaming the butter and sugars properly to ensure the soft texture. After a few tries, I finally nailed it, and now this recipe brings so much joy. I can’t wait for you to try these! And if you want to see more recipes that make your heart sing, check out my Pinterest pages here. Happy baking!
Softest Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars
Ingredients
For the Bars
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, softened Can substitute with margarine.
- 1 cup Brown Sugar Light or dark works well.
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar Sweetness pairs beautifully with brown sugar.
- 2 Eggs Can use flax eggs for a vegan option.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract Pure vanilla is recommended.
- 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour Can substitute with almond flour for gluten-free.
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder Helps the bars rise.
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt Enhances flavor.
- 1 cup Dried Cranberries Can substitute with dried cherries.
- 1 cup White Chocolate Chips For a sweet addition.
For the Frosting
- 1 package Cream Cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons Butter, softened
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Gently fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
Baking
- Pour the batter into the greased pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn golden. Remember not to overbake.
- Let the bars cool completely.
Frosting
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Spread the frosting generously over the cooled cranberry bliss bars.
- For an extra touch, sprinkle additional dried cranberries on top.
