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“It’s important to do Product Research,” I said unconvincingly to myself in the Starbucks line-up. In my defense, all the “just for Christmas” baking was displayed tantalizingly in the glass showcase, tormenting in all their terrible beauty… how could a girl resist? And why should a girl resist? “Why endure endless cycles of spin class… if not to sample the ‘wares’ once in a while”?
The Cranberry Bliss Bars are back and I knew I had to sample one… it had been years since our first blissful tryst. With my red Christmas cup in hand and a sweet little Bliss Bar saucily stashed in its’ brown paper bag, I endeavored to complete a little Christmas shopping. “What better way to get in the spirit of Christmas,” I revelled to myself, as I browsed through stacks of newly released books.
…and, if I have to be honest (and I feel I should be honest with my trusting readers) it was a big let-down. Surely this wasn’t the same cake I met two years ago? That Bliss Bar was a much fresher, velvety-sweet-kiss-on-the-lips-heavenly morsel. This cake before me now was a somewhat compacted days-old cake that had long since separated from its’ white lackluster cream cheese icing. Dried cranberries dotted the surface in an unsuccessful attempt to perk up its’ appearance and to pique one’s appetite… it was a desperate attempt to look fresh, and… it was anything but. I knew I should have returned it, but the line-up was just long enough to deter me from wasting more time.
That’s when it came to me… I could work my way through the Starbucks menu.. at home♥
And so… with visions of sugar plums, er… Cranberry Bliss Bars, rampaging through my head, home I went home with a bag of groceries.
It had snowed and someone was patiently waiting for me…
Ready to Go!
It was the first true “snow day” of the year today, so we bundled up and went for our walk.
Then back home to bake… I tried to stay true to the original recipe, but couldn’t resist adding a touch of crushed peppermint candy cane to the frosting… it is a Christmas bar after all. This recipe is written in the Petite Sucrée” form, but simply doubling will make a full 9×13 inch pan of squares.
Cranberry Bliss Bar Tryst
- 3/4 stick (6 tbsp) butter
- 1/2 + 1/8 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 eggs (1 beaten egg = 3 tbsp)
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 3/4 tsp orange extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
- 2 oz white chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1 1/2 cup icing sugar (powdered sugar)
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp clear vanilla extract
- 1/4 dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
- 1 candy cane, smashed (optional)
- 1/8 cup icing sugar (powdered sugar)
- 1/2 tbsp milk
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a mixing bowl, using the paddle attachment, cream butter and brown sugar together until blended and smooth. Beat in the eggs, ginger, orange extract and salt. Blend until smooth.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour and baking powder. Then slowly add to the creamed butter mixture, blending until fully mixed.
- Stir in the dried cranberries and white chocolate.
- Using a spatula, spoon into two small 6 inch cake pans or one 9×9 square baking pan. Smooth the batter with the spatula. The batter will not be very deep, only 1/2? – 3/4” in the pan.
- Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick pushed into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
- In a mixing bowl, using the whisk attachment, to make the icing by blending the cream cheese and icing sugar together. Mix in lemon juice and vanilla until blended.
- Ice the two cooled cakes, then press dried cranberries into the top. Sprinkle candy cane bits if desired.
- Prepare the glaze by whisking the icing sugar and milk together. Drizzle over the two iced cakes.
- Refrigerate to set then cut to serve.
.jpg "Love, Smidge")
Argh. I hate when I splurge and then am let down. Looks like your recipe is way better. I love the dog picture.
Me too… but the recipe does improve on it… if you have the time:) Thanks!
I think your cake looks great but I am most impressed with your snow !! and your wee dog waiting! c
Ahhh, our little Luckster… (Lucky) he’s 14 1/2 years old and still thinks he’s a wee pup for sure!
I have to give you credit. Rather than just stop buying these tasty treats, you decided to make it yourself. Judging by the pictures — all beautifully shot, by the way — I’d say you succeeded. Good for you! And I know that gray sky. It’s due to arrive here any day now and it won’t be leaving until sometime in March. If you get a chance, tell it to takes its time getting here. Much obliged! 🙂
I promise to do my best:)
I do so like the look of anticipation on Master-Explorer Lucky’s face: *I am going out to conquer the big wide snowy world!* Me, I’ll be quite content to conquer something like, say, blissful bar treats! Look out!
Snow, sleet, rain, hail… nothing stop him… except my lazy self sometimes:)
The cake looks very pretty, love your doggie 🙂
Thanks so much and Lucky thanks you as well:)
This is SO Christmas-y! I love the addition of peppermint candies. Sorry that you were let down at Starbucks. That is the worst, to splurge and have it end up not as good as expected. I enjoyed the beautiful pictures from your walk, and your dog is a cutie!
Well, Starbucks does their best… usually it all works out! They rarely miss on my latte order:) Thanks so much, Kristy.
Your little pooch’s paws must have been so chilly – he is just too cute!
Now, I may have to try this recipe out – just for research purposes of course.
🙂 Mandy
🙂 I bought booties for him once, but he just kept flinging them off indignantly. He’s not ever been one to enjoy “dressing up” like some dogs.. but the coat has been necessary lately. Good luck with your research!
I always love your photos, and of course the recipes, and this post’s collection is not exception. It’s not easy photographing food, and you do it so well!
It can be tricky, baking in good daylight seems to be the easiest. It gets dark here so early now, I’m going to need to purchase some good ambient lighting soon.
http://acupofteawithnia.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/versatile-blogger-award/
wonderful photographs again and of course, so delicious recipes, Thank you dear Barbara, with my love, nia
Lovely Nia, thank you so much for nominating me for this award… I was about to congratulate you on your award when I read through to the end:) You so deserve it!! xo Smidge
Looks yummy. I am so glad looking at food doesn’t put on weight or I’d be gaining a pound or two every time I visit your blog. 🙂
Too funny:) I am gaining weight writing my blog, I think!
So tasty – and I bet a thousand times better than Starbucks! And can I admit I’m jealous you have a little snow? I’d love just a touch around here – not a lot, but a little would be nice. 🙂
Thanks, in fairness, Starbucks can make an awesome bar… just sometimes they are inconsistent. I would love to send you snow.. just a skiff to make everything pretty:)
This sounds so perfect!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
–bB
http://www.itsybitsybrianna.wordpress.com
Thanks, Brianna!
What a beautiful blog! Good writing. I found you because you found me. Now I’m a subscriber — can’t wait to trawl through and see what you have done. — Sharyn (aka The Kale Chronicler)
Thanks, Sharyn, I feel the same:)
Beautiful snow day pictures and a delicious sounding holiday sweet treat to try…I just downloaded the recipe! Love your blog and am so happy to find and follow!
I’m so glad you are having a go at this… my family loved it:)
Your recipe for Cranberry Bliss Bars looks amazing and so much better. You really did an amazing job.. and the snow looks beautiful. I just don’t want it to head to NYC lol
I’ll try to keep it all here! Snow is falling while I type at my desk… actually pretty… from in here where it’s warm!
if you like orange with cranberry, you could mince up some candied orange peel into your crust, frosting or cake layer. Just saying…thekalechronicles.com/…/my-first-orange-plus-candied-citrus-peel/
Great idea, I love that about blogs…
I don’t know where to begin. Cranberry Bliss bars are my all-time favorite at SB’s and I have always wanted a recipe for it so I could make it for myself. So thank you big time for that. And the dog…that cute, cute dog with the cute, cute sweater. Both sweater and dog are making me swoon. I am a HUGE dog person and your little sweetie is sooooooooooo adorable.
Ahhh, we think he’s pretty great as well… especially when he tolerates us putting on his little coat:)
Yum! That looks fantastic. Wanna share a slice with me? 🙂 Your pup is adorable. Jealous that you have snow. I’ll have to drive a few hours up to the mountains if I want to see any here in CA.
I sure would if you lived closer:) It’s nice to have the seasons… but when I’m freezing when walking the dogs I sometimes wonder why I live here and not where you are!!
I love it…from now on I’m referring to my tasting as Product Research!! And I love, love this! It looks as pretty as it does delicious! I really have to give this a try. The whole scene with the snow has gotten me excited for Christmas!
I’m so glad that it did! I like baking in little bits, none of it will add up to a big “heap” on Christmas day. It’s more akin to the 12 Days of Christmas Baking concept… we get to have little tastes leading up to the big day:)
I’m loving the Christmas baking. And I think anyone who survives a spin class deserves a treat.
Seriously thought I was going to die in that class today:P But I hung in there out of guilt!!
Wow you captured the beauty of the winter in all it’s beauty so amazingly, your little furry friend is adorable!
Thanks so much! And Lucky thanks you as well:)
I miss snow… 🙁 Living in Australia doesn’t help much. And your cake looks delicious! Very festive!
Always wanting what we don’t have.. I would love to live in Australia… just for a while:) Thanks!
Sigh…look at that beautiful snow you have.
…and yes, any spin class deserves a little something!
I love that you made that wonderful bar so that we can now make it. It’s terrible when a store sells something that is not totally fresh.
YUM! I can’t wait to try this! Thanks for sharing! Love those snow photos. I almost bought a bliss bar today, but resisted. If I make them at home they’re not as bad, right?
^_^ awww…. i want the DO!!!! The Dog is Cute and I’m hungry now… ^_^ Good work!!!
^_^ awww…. i want the DO!!!! The Dog is Cute and I’m hungry now… ^_^ Good work!!!
This looks awesome! Very seasonal and cool!
Great title, too!