Healthy Cranberry Bliss Bars
Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Rachel
This copycat Healthy Cranberry Bliss Bars recipe is healthier than the Starbucks version, with much less fat and added sugars. Right in time for the holiday season, these healthy bars are perfect for your holiday get togethers and cookie exchanges.
Is anyone else obsessed with the Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars? I get so excited when they show up at Starbucks every Christmas season. I loved them so much that I knew I had to recreate a healthy version at home.
Healthy Cranberry Bliss Bars are ready in more or less 30 minutes, and you will never know how healthy they truly are. We remade this classic beloved recipe using healthier ingredients like protein-rich greek yogurt in the frosting, and Swerve sweetener instead of sugar.
What is in a Cranberry Bliss Bar?
Cranberry bliss bars are white chocolate and cranberry blondies topped with a dreamy cream cheese frosting. These delicious bars originated from Starbucks. Unfortunately, they are a seasonal item. But now, you can make them all year round. They are healthier and much cheaper as well.
Healthy Cranberry Bliss Bars Ingredients
You will need:
- Whole wheat flour (or gluten-free baking mix if gluten-free)
- Baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Swerve granulated sugar
- Swerve brown sugar
- Apple sauce
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- White chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate (we used white chocolate chips)
- Dried cranberries
And for the cream cheese frosting you will need:
- Cream cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Swerve Confectioners sugar
- White baking chocolate (sugar-free)
- More vanilla extract
- Sprinkles
How to make the best Healthy Cranberry Bliss Bars:
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 13×9 -inch baking dish with nonstick spray. If you don’t have a nonstick baking dish then lay it with parchment paper then spray it.
- In a medium-size bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In another bowl mix together the granulated swerve, brown sugar swerve, apple sauce, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones in 2 batches, until the batter is well mixed. Don’t overmix the batter as this will make your bars tough.
- Fold in the white chocolate chips and the dried cranberries and mix well. Spread the batter onto the baking pan and press down with the back of a spatula to even out the batter.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until the edges are golden brown and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool completely.
- Meanwhile, prepare the cream cheese frosting; in a large bowl beat with a hand mixer the cream cheese, greek yogurt, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until well blended. Frost the (cooled down) bars with the cream cheese frosting and add the sprinkles or sprinkle some chopped dried cranberries on top. Drizzle with the melted white chocolate.
- When the white chocolate cools down and sets, cut into 9 large squares, then cut the squares diagonally to create triangles. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Recipe notes:
- To melt the white chocolate, place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 10 seconds and stir, then for another 10 seconds and stir until the chocolate is nice and melted. Be very careful as white chocolate burns and melts way faster than milk or dark chocolate.
- Don’t overbake the batter. Even a few more minutes of baking time will result in a crumbly, dried out bar.
- Add some orange zest to the cream cheese frosting and/or to the batter. It’s totally optional but it will elevate your frosting and the subtle hints of citrus work wonders in this recipe. Not only that but orange and cranberries are a match made in heaven.
Can you make these cranberry bliss bars gluten-free?
Yes, and in order to do so, all you have to do is swap the all-purpose flour into a gluten-free baking flour mix. I recommend Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1-1 baking flour.
Can I freeze cranberry bliss bars?
Yes, you can! These bars are perfect for making ahead and freezing. Once the bars are sliced, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Can you freeze the cranberry bars?
Yes, you can. Prepare them and slice as directed and then place the bars in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours. Then cover tightly in a container with plastic wrap and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw the bars in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
More Healthy Desserts You’ll Love:
Healthy Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Healthy Keto Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Breakfast Bars
Healthy Cranberry Bliss Bars
Ingredients
- 1 and ½ cups whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅔ cup Swerve granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup Swerve brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple sauce
- 2 large eggs
- ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/2 cup low fat cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- ½ cup swerve confectioners sugar powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup white baking chocolate melted
- Sprinkles or ⅓ cup dried cranberries chopped into smaller pieces
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 13×9 -inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a medium-size bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In another bowl mix together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, apple sauce, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones in 2 batches, until the batter is well mixed.
- Fold in the white chocolate chips and the dried cranberries and mix well. Spread the batter onto the baking pan and press down with the back of a spatula to even out the batter.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until the edges are golden brown and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool completely.
- Meanwhile, prepare the cream cheese frosting; in a large bowl beat with a hand mixer the cream cheese, greek yogurt, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until well blended. Frost the (cooled down) bars with the cream cheese frosting and add the sprinkles or sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries on top. Drizzle with the melted white chocolate.
- When the white chocolate cools down and sets, cut into 9 large squares, then cut the squares diagonally to create triangles. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- To melt the white chocolate, place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 10 seconds and stir, then for another 10 seconds and stir until the chocolate is nice and melted. Be very careful as white chocolate burns and melts way faster than milk or dark chocolate.
- Don’t overbake the batter. Even a few more minutes of baking time will result in a crumbly, dried out bar.
- Add some orange zest to the cream cheese frosting and/or to the batter. It’s totally optional but it will elevate your frosting and the subtle hints of citrus work wonders in this recipe. Not only that but orange and cranberries are a match made in heaven.
Nutrition
