Cranberry Almond Bliss Bars

Cranberry Almond Bliss Bars Lightened Up

 

I love Starbucks. And if I could afford it every day I would get it every day. My typical order is a Skinny Upside Down Caramel Macchiato with only one pump of syrup. So good.

 

And very rarely Jake and I will treat us to their delectable desserts. The Cranberry Bliss Bars or splitting a snowman sugar cookie is the two things we will get. But obviously that isn’t the best choice for you.

 

But I came up with a version that you can make at home that tastes like the real deal! No kidding!

 I am made these for my co-workers this week and they were gone by 10:00 AM!!!!

 These bars are also gluten free! I made them with almond flour so for those of you who are allergic to gluten these bars are safe!

 

These bars are certainly to bring a smile to even Ebenezer Scrooge this holiday season!

 

I am all about gift giving this Christmas. And mainly it’s to see the receiver’s smile. That’s all I want in return. Their joyous reaction to my thought. 

 And I am sure a tin full of these bars will make the perfect gift for a teacher, neighbor, pastor, friend, and of course family!

 

As for our little Christmas, we plan on spending quality time together and with our families watching A LOT of Christmas movies and making gingerbread men! Elf is totally on the top of my list! Along with Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, The Grinch, Merry Christmas Charlie Brown, and maybe some Lord of the Rings ( because well… I want to watch it ;))

 

I wish all of you a Merry Merry Christmas and hope all of you have a great one!

 

Serves 25- 30 bars: Calories: 155, Fat: 8g, Sodium: 46mg, Sugars: 10g, Protein: 3g, Carbs: 17g, Fiber: 1.3g

You Need:

2 cups of almond flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tbs vanilla bean paste or extract

⅓ cup sugar

⅓ cup brown sugar

¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

⅓ cup white chocolate chips

1 cup of reduced sugar dried cranberries

2 egg whites

¼ cup melted butter

Frosting:

8 oz ⅓ reduced fat cream cheese, softened

½ cup powdered sugar

¼ cup reduced sugar dried cranberries

¼ cup white chocolate chips melted

 

Directions:

 

Preheat oven to 350

In a stand mixer, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder,and cinnamon

In a separate bowl mix applesauce, sugars, egg whites,butter, and vanilla until smooth

Pour wet ingredients into dry

Add chocolate chips and cranberries

On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spread dough out into an even rectangle ( about ½” thick)

Bake for 10 minutes and let cool before frosting it

 While its baking, make the frosting

Combine all frosting ingredients into a bowl and spread on cooled bar

Using a pizza cutter, slice into 25-30 bars and serve!

Enjoy!

 Adapted from Skinnytaste