Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Cookie Bars

Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Cookie Bars. It’s amazing what a little snow and the holidays will do for relationships. My kids actually liked each other this week. They must know that Santa is watching.

Today’s Christmas Cookie Crunch recipe is one we made up but you might notice a strong resemblance to a certain Seattle-based coffee shop’s cranberry bar… just in case you don’t have them available on every street corner like we do here. Yeah, right.

Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Cookie Bars

Preheat oven to 350F.

• 3/4 cup of white sugar
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1 cup of butter
• 1 egg
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 6 ounce package Craisins
• 2 cups walnuts, chopped
• 1 recipe cream cheese frosting (recipe below)
• 6 ounces white chocolate

Cream together sugars and butter.

Add eggs. Mix well. Add flour, salt, baking soda, & baking powder. Mix dough together.

Stir in three ounces of the Craisins. Set aside remaining Craisins.

Prepare 11×15  pan with baking spray. Spread chopped walnuts out in the bottom of the pan.

Gently spread the dough over walnuts.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until light golden brown. Set aside to cool.

Buttery Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 ounces unsalted butter
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1 pound powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• Sea salt (to taste – this might take up to 1/2 teaspoon)
• Few drops of water if needed

Mix frosting ingredients together on the lowest setting until powdered sugar is combined. Turn up speed and whip for about 8-10 minutes. If frosting is too sweet, it needs more salt.

Sprinkle remaining Craisins on top and cut into bars.

Melt white chocolate in a double boiler for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave until melted, stirring in between each heating time.

Buttery, chewy, sweet, and tart. These are great for freezing and for sharing.