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Gluten Free Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Inspired)

Gluten-Free Cranberry Bliss Bars, a homemade version of the popular Starbucks cranberry bliss bar! Cranberry white chocolate blondies, drizzled with a zesty orange cream cheese frosting and topped with extra cranberries and white chocolate drizzle!
Course Dessert
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 3 hours 50 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 289kcal
Author Rebecca Taig

Ingredients

Cranberry Bliss Bars

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 2 cups (272g) gluten-free flour, Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 Baking Flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup melted white chocolate
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • 1½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

Topping

  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup melted white chocolate, drizzle

Instructions

Make The Cranberry Bliss Bars

  • Prepare the pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch square pan. Cut an even layer of parchment paper and apply it to the bottom of the pan going both vertically and horizontally. This will help to release the bars more easily.
  • Mix the butter and brown sugar. In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), add the melted butter and brown sugar. Using a whisk attachment or electric mixer, mix until combined.
  • Add the remaining wet ingredients. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest to the bowl. Continue to beat until smooth.
  • Add the dry ingredients. Pour in the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat on low speed just until fully blended, do not over-mix.
  • Add the mix-ins. Fold in the chopped cranberries and white chocolate chips.
  • Bake. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly using an offset spatula. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Do not overbake or the bars will be hard.
  • Let the bars cool. Remove the pan from the oven and transfer to a wire rack. Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 1 hour. Bars should be completely cooled before frosting.

Decorate The Cranberry Bliss Bars

  • Make the cream cheese frosting. In a medium-sized bowl, add the softened cream cheese and beat on high speed for 1-2 minutes. Melt ¼ cup of white chocolate chips in the microwave, for 30-second intervals, stirring in-between. Pour the melted white chocolate, powdered sugar, orange zest, and vanilla extract into the bowl. Beat until creamy, well-combined, and free of any lumps. The texture should be smooth and silky.
  • Frost and decorate the bars. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the cooled bars using an off-set spatula. Sprinkle extra chopped cranberries on top of the frosting, gently pushing them down to secure. In a small microwaveable bowl, melt ⅓ cup of white chocolate chips, in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring in-between. Pour the white chocolate into a zip lock bag or pastry bag, snipping off the end. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the top of the bars in a zig-zag pattern. Place the bars in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
  • Cut the bars. Remove from the fridge and carefully lift the bars out of the baking sheet (with the parchment paper left on). Place the bars onto a cutting board. Your first cut will be making three vertical columns. Then make 4 horizontal cuts. Then, cut each square diagonally.
  • Serve. You can serve the bars right away or place the bars in the refrigerator overnight and serve the next day. Store the bars in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

    • Do not overbake! Watch these bars closely, as they tend to overbake easily. Remove the bars from the oven once they turn golden brown around the edges, and are cooked through the middle. Everyone’s oven is different, but I find these bars are ready around 18-20 minutes.
    • Line your baking pan. For easy removal and cutting of your cranberry bliss bars, line your pan with parchment paper that overhangs on the sides. This will allow you to “lift” the bars out of the pan and slice them easily.
    • Bring all of the ingredients to room temperature. This will ensure a smooth blondie batter and frosting.

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 199mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 492IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg