Needless to say, I still haven't been to Starbucks this holiday season but I guess I don't really have to. Today's cookie is the Cranberry Orange Bliss Blondies, a spin off the same Starbucks bars I love. Why go to Starbucks and pay $3+ for a piece when you can have a whole pan to yourself at home for less! Here's a great copycat recipe, where I omitted the white chocolate drizzle, but you can indulge and add it yourself if you'd like!
Cranberry Orange "Bliss" Blondies
recipe adapted from Taste of Home
3/4 cup butter, cubed
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
Frosting:
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
In a microwave, melt butter; stir in brown sugar. Transfer to a large bowl; cool to room temperature. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; gradually add to butter mixture. Stir in cranberries and chopped chocolate (batter will be thick).
Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack.
For frosting, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and orange peel if desired until blended. Gradually add half of the melted white chocolate; beat until blended. Frost brownies. Sprinkle with cranberries. Drizzle with remaining melted white chocolate. Cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator.
No comments