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Healthy Cranberry Bliss Bars

This Starbucks treat is only around for the holidays! But here’s how you can make a healthy, copycat version of the famous Starbucks cranberry bliss bars.
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Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 c flour*
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
  • 1 tbsp cocoa butter (melted**)
  • 1 flax egg (1 tbsp golden flax meal + 3 tbsp water)
  • ½ c coconut sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • ¼ c cranberries (diced (use unsweetened for less sugar))
  • ⅓ c plain yogurt***
  • ⅓ c cream cheese (room temperature***)
  • 1-2 tbsp cane sugar
  • 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder****
  • ¾ tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp cranberries (diced)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, baking powder, and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, flax egg, and vanilla. Stir in the coconut sugar.
  • Add in the flour mixture, stirring until just incorporated. Add in the maple syrup, and mix until the dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add in a little more maple syrup to hydrate it.
  • Fold in the diced cranberries.
  • Spread the cookie dough into the prepared pan. Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
  • Now, prepare the frosting. In a small bowl, beat together the yogurt, cream cheese, sugar, and protein powder until smooth. Mix in the vanilla extract.
  • Spread the frosting on top of the cooled bars, and sprinkle with the extra diced cranberries. Slice and enjoy!

Notes

*You can use gluten-free flour, if desired. I love the Krusteaz brand!
**Cocoa butter helps the cookie dough taste like it just came out of a bakery. If you don't have cocoa butter, you can simply substitute with more coconut oil.
***Feel free to use non-dairy yogurt and non-dairy cream cheese, if vegan.
****I really like the Silver Fern brand of protein powder, as well as the Gold Standard's whey protein powder. Silver Fern's protein powder is vegan, so I'd recommend that one if you avoid animal products.
Adapted From: Amy's Healthy Baking