This week, we’re focusing on Christmas cookies and sweet treats, and we’re starting off with one of the best!

I probably should’ve labeled this post Copycat Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars, because that’s precisely what they are. However, at their heart, these are just orange-flavored blondies, festively dressed with cranberries and white chocolate chips, smothered in cream cheese frosting.

And they are just as delicious as the real thing!

Be advised: this recipe makes 24 blondies. They freeze well, and they share with friends even better. They make an excellent non-traditional yet beloved addition to any cookie platter, and making them at home is so much more affordable than buying them from Starbucks. Here’s to one more festive holiday favorite that can be made any time you want!

Copycat Starbucks Cranb…..errr….I mean….

Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Blondies
(Original recipe: Belle of the Kitchen)

Blondie bars:
1 C butter, softened
1-1/2 C packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp orange extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 C all purpose flour
3/4 C white chocolate chips
3/4 C dried cranberries

Topping:
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1-1/2 C powdered sugar
1/2 tsp orange extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 C dried cranberries, chopped
1/4 C white chocolate chips, melted

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 13×9 inch jelly roll pan or rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper.

To make the bars, cream together butter and brown sugar over medium speed with an electric mixer. Add in eggs, orange extract, and vanilla extract and beat until mixed well. Add in ground ginger, baking powder, salt, and flour, beating until just blended. Be careful not to overmix it!

Stir in white chocolate chips and cranberries gently by hand. The mixture will be thick. Spread it evenly into the bottom of prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes until set and golden brown at the edges. Don’t overbake or the bars will be hard. Remove from oven and place pan on a wire rack to cool. Allow bars to cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting, beat the room temperature cream cheese and powdered sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add orange extract and vanilla extract and mix well. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Sprinkle with chopped cranberries. Melt the white chocolate chips by microwaving in 10-second intervals, stirring between each. Drizzle white chocolate over the top of the bars with a fork. Place the bars in the refrigerator for about an hour to help them set up before cutting. Cut into triangles and serve!