Healthy Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars (gluten-free)
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This copycat Healthy Cranberry Bliss Bars recipe is healthier than the Starbucks version, with less fat and low sugar. Right in time for the holiday season, these low calorie bars are perfect for your holiday get togethers and cookie exchanges.
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If you’re anything like me, every holiday season finds you lining up at Starbucks for their famous cranberry bliss bars, eager for that delicious mix of tart cranberries, creamy white chocolate chips, and that unexpected hint of orange. It’s so yummy, isn’t it?
But let’s keep it real – as much as I love them, the calories can be a bit of a downer. That’s what inspired me me to whip up my own version. Guess what? I’ve managed to recreate that magical taste at just 129 calories a pop!
I tweaked things a bit – went easy on the flour, switched to natural sweeteners, and whipped up a frosting that’s both light and delicious. The best part? This copycat recipe may just be better than the original recipe.
Another Starbucks favorite I’ve recreated at home are these egg bites! They are a breeze to whip up and won’t break the bank.
Looking for more healthy holiday recipes? Try these pumpkin bars or cracker toffee next.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make these Healthy Starbuck’s Cranberry Bliss Bars:
Bar Ingredients:
- gluten free flour
- baking soda
- salt
- ground cinnamon
- Swerve granulated sugar
- Swerve brown sugar
- apple sauce
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- white chocolate chips
- dried cranberries
Frosting Ingredients:
- whipped cream cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Swerve confectioners sugar
- vanilla extract
Ingredient Notes
Gluten-free flour: I used Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 All-Purpose Flour. If you don’t need the bars to be gluten-free, regular all-purpose flour can be used in the same quantity. Alternatively, you can use whole wheat flour.
Swerve granulated sugar and Swerve brown sugar: These are erythritol-based sweeteners. If you don’t have them on hand, other sugar substitutes like Stevia or monk fruit can be used. If not watching sugar intake, coconut sugar or regular granulated and brown sugar can be substituted in equal amounts.
Dried cranberries: I use reduced sugar dried cranberries any dried cranberries can be used.
Greek Yogurt: Any brand of vanilla Greek Yogurt will work, but I lean towards Siggi’s for its high protein content and reduced sugar. If you’re close to an Aldi’s, their Skyr brand is a comparable alternative to Siggi’s and also an excellent choice.
How to make Healthy Cranberry Bliss Bars: Step by Step
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Step 2: Using either a hand mixer or an electric mixer, mix together the granulated Swerve, brown sugar Swerve, apple sauce, eggs, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined, usually about 30 to 60 seconds.
Step 3: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients in 2 batches, until the batter is well mixed. Don’t over-mix the batter. Fold in the white chocolate chips and the dried cranberries and mix well.
Step 4: 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.
Step 5: Meanwhile, prepare the cream cheese frosting; in a large bowl beat the cream cheese, greek yogurt, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until well blended and frost the (cooled down) bars with the cream cheese frosting.
Step 6: Cut into 9 large squares and then cut the squares diagonally to create triangles.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
To ensure that the bars bake evenly, take an extra minute to smooth out the batter in your baking dish. An offset spatula works well for this.
Don’t over-bake the batter. Even a few more minutes of baking time will result in a crumbly, dried out bar.
Add some orange zest or orange extract 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.
How To Store
Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week to maintain freshness and the integrity of the cream cheese frosting.
Freezing: To freeze, place the unfrosted bars in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then wrap in plastic wrap transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper.
They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator and then add the cream cheese frosting.
Frequently Asked Question’s
Yes, if you don’t need the recipe to be gluten-free, you can substitute regular all-purpose flour in the same quantity.
Fresh cranberries have more moisture and are tart compared to dried ones. If you prefer to use fresh, consider chopping them and reducing the quantity slightly to avoid making the bars too wet.
While the frosting adds to the flavor and authenticity of the Starbucks version, these homemade cranberry bliss bars are still delicious without it. You can opt for a lighter drizzle of melted white chocolate or enjoy them plain.
If your frosting feels too runny, you can add more powdered sugar (or its substitute) a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.
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More Healthy Desserts You’ll Love:
Healthy Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Breakfast Bars
Healthy Cranberry Bliss Bars
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups gluten free 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
- 8 oz whipped cream cheese softened
- 1/3 cup Siggi’s Vanilla Yogurt
- 1/3 cup Swerve confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup melted white chocolate optional
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 in the preheated oven 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 to the top of the bars. 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
- White Chocolate Drizzle: 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 over-bake 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
Please note that the nutritional information provided for each recipe is an estimate sourced from the My Fitness Pal database. It’s important to be aware that the nutritional content may vary depending on the specific products used, the accuracy of measurements, and the reliability of the nutrition data source. While we strive to provide accurate information, we cannot guarantee the exact accuracy of the nutritional information provided.
