Healthy Cranberry Bliss Bars

A person holding a copycat cranberry bliss bar.

5 from 1 vote

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.

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Total Time35

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: triangles

Calories: 129kcal

Author: Rachel Oostdyk

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 13x9 -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.

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