Popular Starbucks bars copycat - these Cranberry Bliss Bars are even better with the addition of coconut!
When it comes to cranberries and chocolate combo I have no strong will. Not a bit. I won't even try to resist it. It's a real mission impossible. And you know what? I don't mind a bit! 🙂
Here is my defense.
This bar was made for me. Cranberries, white chocolate, coconut - all on a ooey gooey blondie base. My favorites - married together in a delightful bliss.
This is the definition of simple deliciousness. The word exists and this is the proof.
If anyone wants to ever prove to me their strong-willness, I will ask them to have a plate of Cranberry Bliss Bars with Coconut on a table in front of them. I will delightfully watch them sweat, pull their hair out and after 2 seconds - devour a piece like a starved animal. No strong will left.
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The blondie base is truly ooey gooey. So soft it melts in your mouth. The combination of cranberries and white chocolate is not overwhelming but perfectly balanced. The cream cheese frosting is absolutely delicious! If you love white chocolate, you will love it! The addition of coconut does not make them too sweet. I happen to love coconut and I would put even more of it, but I figured ½ cup would be just fine. The combination of melted white chocolate and coconut oil makes a drizzle with a little crunch.
Pair with a cup of coffee and enjoy.
Cranberry Bliss Bars with Coconut
Ingredients
- ¾ c unsalted butter 1 ½ stick
- 1 ½ c packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ c all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves optional
- ½ c dried cranberries
- ½ c shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened
- 6 oz . white chocolate chips or baking chocolate
- 1 oz pkg cream cheese softened, 8 .
- 1 c powdered sugar
- 6 oz . white chocolate chips or baking chocolate
- ½ tablespoon coconut oil
- ½ c shredded coconut divided, sweetened or unsweetened
- ½ c dried cranberries
Instructions
- Line 13"x9" baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Set aside.
- Melt butter in a microwave safe dish. Pour into a mixing bowl of your stand mixer. Add brown sugar and stir until combined. Let cool to room temperature.
- Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients ( flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and cloves ). With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients. When there are still few flour lumps in the batter, add cranberries, white chocolate and coconut. Fold in. Spread the batter in prepared dish. Bake in 350 degree F oven for 18 to 20 minutes. Cool completely.
- Meanwhile, melt white chocolate with coconut oil. Stir until smooth.
- For the frosting: beat cream cheese until smooth, add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Add half of the melted chocolate and beat to combine. Stir in half of the coconut. Spread over cooled blondies. Sprinkle with cranberries and remaining coconut. Drizzle the remaining chocolate over the frosting. Cut into triangles. Store in refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
The recipe comes from a little recipe booklet from Taste of Home "Best Loved Cookies and Bars". I know that Starbucks serves these bars during holiday season. All in all, their fame is deserved.
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What is your favorite combination you can't resist?
xoxo,
Anna
DeeDee says
Made these for the first time and, running late, I brought them to my work Christmas party without even having cut them yet, much less try one... They were a HUGE hit, coworkers that were still on the clock were sneaking into the party to try them as they were hearing about them inside! They were gone so fast, I only got try the little piece left in my pan that had fallen apart when I was cutting it. Thank god for that! The second time I tried to make this I was again, running late, and decided I had to ditch the frosting, so instead I chopped a bunch of random candy bars I had and mixed in before baking- just as big of a hit, and no one knew that wasn't the intention, or even that it was the same recipe for those that had seen the 1st batch. My all time favorite Blondie recipe. And EASY, I don't even bother with the mixer.
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi DeeDee! I LOVE your story! Thank you so much for sharing! I am so glad you like this recipe! I love the idea of using chopped candy - I need to try it!
Averie Cooks says
Thanks for relinking to these! I am in love with Cran Bliss Bars and yours with the coconut sounds so fun. Love that idea! I could go to town on these!
CrunchyCreamySw says
You are very welcome! They sure are delicious! 🙂 Thank you!
Carol | a cup of mascarpone says
Can you believe I have never tried a Cranberry Bliss Bar? This morning I bought one at Starbucks to see what all the rage was about...now I can't wait to make them! What a beautiful recipe you made for our December Chocolate Party!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Aww, thank you so much, Carol! And thanks for pinning! 🙂
Rachel says
These look so delicious! Just a quick question about the coconut: it looks like it is used three times in the recipe. In the blondie batter, the frosting, and sprinkled on top. How is the half cup divided among those three areas? Thanks.
CrunchyCreamySw says
Oh no! Looks like 1/2 c of coconut escaped from my list of ingredients. Correcting ASAP. Thank you so much for pointing it out, Rachel!
Rachel says
Thanks for the quick response. That makes sense now! 🙂 will be making these for Christmas. Can't wait!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Oh, how fabulous! Please, let me know how you like them! Thank you so much, Rachel!
Rachel says
I made these and ended up leaving off the cream cheese frosting. They seemed sweet enough as they were. I still melted the chocolate and poured it on top and added the additional cranberries and coconut. They were delicious! I wish I had noticed the note to underbake them sooner. Probably left them in a minute or two too long. But still delicious. And very rich! Thanks for the recipe!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yay! I am so glad you gave them a try! Here is the thing with blondies: they are very easy to overbake, even a minute can make a difference. Thank you so much for coming back and leaving comments, Rachel!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yay for cranberries! Thanks, Whitney!
Serena B says
These looks AMAZING sweets! I will have to add these to my Christmas baking list! Have a fabulous week!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, my friend!
Laura | Family Spice says
I just have a general weakness for chocolate, let along cranberries and chocolate! This sounds amazing!
CrunchyCreamySw says
It's the most delicious bar dessert recipe I have tried to date! Thank you, Laura!
Cathy Pollak says
Oh wow, this look fantastic!! What a holiday treat!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Cathy!
Curry and Comfort says
Cranberry, white chocolate, coconut.... yeah... WINNER!! This is an awesome and festive combo!! Gorgeously done too. 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yes! Why it took me so long to make them is beyond me! Thanks, my friend. 🙂
Nancy says
Great minds think alike - we both brought these phenomenal bars to the Chocolate Party this month. Kudos on the coconut - what a fabulous flavour and texture addition! Your bars and photos are beautiful.
CrunchyCreamySw says
Great minds indeed. 🙂 These bars are sooo goood - I hope you will try adding coconut next time. LOVE it! Thanks, Nancy!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says
Your eloquent post makes want to try this right now! Too bad we don´t have cranberries here, and I yet have to find the right tangy replacement. Gorgeous Anna!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Awww, thank you so much, Paula. 🙂 I wish I could send you some cranberries!!