Home » Recipes Using Sourdough Starter » Sourdough Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies

Sourdough Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies

Save and share!

These sourdough blondies are a copycat recipe of Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars. White chocolate  and cranberry blondies are given an upgrade with the addition of sourdough discard. Cranberry bliss bars with sourdough starter are tangy and flavorful, frosted with a cream cheese frosting, then drizzled with white chocolate and sprinkled with dried cranberries. This sourdough blondies recipe is a fun treat to share!

These copycat white chocolate  and cranberry blondies are given an upgrade with the addition of sourdough discard. These bars are tangy and flavorful, frosted with a cream cheese frosting, then drizzled with white chocolate and sprinkled with dried cranberries. This sourdough blondies recipe is a fun treat to share!
close up view of cut sourdough blondies with white chocolate drizzle
sourdough blondies on three plates with forks beside
Sourdough Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies for The Gingered Whisk

Blondies are a fun bar cookie similar to a brownie, but without the chocolate. Part cookie and part cake, blondies are always fun to eat! These are a Starbucks copycat recipe of their holiday Cranberry Bliss Bar recipe – except with the addition of sourdough starter!

The slight tang of the sourdough starter discard pairs so well with the dried cranberries, cream cheese frosting and white chocolate drizzle.

Other sourdough dessert recipes:

white serving tray lined with cut sourdough bliss bars

Sourdough Blondies 

The possibilities are pretty much endless here – you can throw practically any ingredients together and make a yummy, cakey, delicious treat! These turned out so well, I loved how soft and cakey they were. The cranberries and the yummy cream cheese frosting… Seriously, these are almost cake!

white plate with sourdough blondie beside cranberries

How to make these blondies

These bars are an easy dessert to make. For the full recipe, make sure you scrol down to the recipe card below, but here is a brief overview!

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar.
  3. Whisk the sourdough starter into the brown sugar mixture until it is completely mixed in.
  4. Whisk in the egg and vanilla.
  5. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the flour mixture in, mixing until just barely combined.
  6. Fold in the dried cranberries. 
  7. Pour into a greased 8×8 pan, spreading it evenly.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until set and just starting to become golden on hte edges.
  9. When done, place the pan on a wire rack and cool completely. 
collage showing step by step images for how to bake recipe

How to frost these sourdough bliss bars

  1. In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, zest, powdered sugar, and milk.
  2. Mix with a hand mixer on medium speed until well blended.
  3. Evenly spread the frosting over the cooled bars.
  4. Sprinkle the remaining dried cranberries on top.
  5. Melt the white chocolate chips (or almond bark) and drizzle on top.
  6. While the drizzle is still soft, cut the bars into individual servings. 
  7. Enjoy
collage showing steps to frost and decorate bliss bars recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of sourdough starter should I use?

These blondies should be made with a 100% hydration sourdough starter discard. For more information on how to feed and use your sourdough starter, read Feeding Your Sourdough Starter.

How to make variations of this recipe:

You can add in different ingredients to change up your sourdough blondies.

Try adding:

  • chopped walnuts or pecans
  • chocolate chips
  • sprinkles
three plates with sourdough blondies with forks beside

Kids in the kitchen: How your kids can help you cook

Getting your kids in the kitchen with your is an important quality time. Not only are you spending special time with your little helpers, but you are teaching them great math, social skills, language skills and more!

This recipe is great to bake with small helpers because there are so many fun steps that even really young bakers can help you with.

  • Kids aged 1-3 can help you measure all the ingredients and stir together the dough. They can also help you sprinkle on the dried cranberries.
  • Kids aged 4-6 can do everything above plus help you use the mixer to make the dough, and the frosting. They can also help you to drizzle on the white chocolate .
  • Kids aged 7-10+ can help you do everything above.

*Please note that these recommendations are generalized, and to please use your personal discretion with your child’s skill level. And always, always supervise! Read more about how to have your children help you in the kitchen.

close up view of cut sourdough blondies with white chocolate drizzle

Food tastes better when its shared with the ones you love!

There’s nothing I love more than seeing you make my recipes! If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a comment and rate it below!

And if you are on Instagram, tag @gingeredwhisk and use the hashtag #gingeredwhisk on social media when you make my recipes so that I can share them and maybe even feature you. Follow along to get the latest updates:

And don’t forget to subscribe to the email list to get all the extra tips, tricks and bonuses! 

Subscribe here!

 

Want to save this for later? PIN THIS TO YOUR SOURDOUGH BOARD on Pinterest!

graphic for sourdough course - reads "new to sourdough? learn the skills to impress your family and friends with your sourdough baking. Click here".
close up view of cut sourdough blondies with white chocolate drizzle

Sourdough Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies

These copycat white chocolate  and cranberry blondies are given an upgrade with the addition of sourdough discard. These bars are tangy and flavorful, frosted with a cream cheese frosting, then drizzled with white chocolate and sprinkled with dried cranberries. This sourdough blondies recipe is a fun treat to share!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 12 Servings
Calories: 340kcal
Author: Jenni - The Gingered Whisk

Ingredients

Blondies

  • ¾ cup flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • cup butter melted and cooled
  • 1 cup 100% hydration sourdough starter discard room temperature
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • ½ cup dried cranberries

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 package cream cheese room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 TBSP milk
  • 1 TBSP orange zest
  • 6 ounces white chocolate chips or almond bark
  • ½ cup dried cranberries

Instructions

  • Blondies
  • Preheat the oven to 350F.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and melted butter.
  • Whisk in the sourdough starter until you don't see any streaks of the starter.
  • Whisk in the egg and vanilla.
  • Fold in the dry ingredients.
  • Fold in the cranberries.
  • Bake in a greased 8x8 pan for 25-30 minutes.
  • Cool completely, on a wire rack.
  • Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Whip together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and orange zest until well blended.
  • Pour over the cool bars and smooth.
  • Sprinkle the dried cranberries on top.
  • Melt the white chocolate chips (or almond bark) and drizzle on top.
  • Cut the bars while the white chocolate is still soft and enjoy!!

Notes

Store these bars in a covered container, on the counter, for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 204mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 39g
Sourdough Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies
three Sourdough Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies on plate with white chocolate drizzle and dried cranberries
Sourdough Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies

15 Comments

  1. These sound so good – what a great use for sourdough!

  2. Yum! I love your photos – soft, golden base, creamy topping, cranberries winking like jewels. Beautiful.

  3. I'm having trouble with your link. Only photos and no words or recipe. But I love the idea of white chocolate and cranberries! A deadly combo!

  4. chefindisguise.com says:

    Oh these sound heavenly Jenni.
    I often wonder about the classifications of certain recipes, it is not always that easy.
    It was great fun baking with you guys this month and I can't wait for the next theme
    Thank you for the welcome message on my blog

  5. korenainthekitchen.com says:

    Wow, these look awesome! I've never made blondies – i think that needs to change 😉

  6. I think I could eat that frosting on its own. It looks so delicious! And the cranberry-white chocolate combination sounds like a winner! Have to try that.

  7. These look beyond delicious! Cranberry and white chocolate and cream cheese equals irresistible!!

  8. This recipe is great! I always forget about Blondies! Cranberry, white chocolate, and cream cheese..there really isn't anything in this recipe NOT to like:) Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

  9. pizzarossa says:

    They are a work of art, Jenni! Just gorgeous.

  10. youngwifey says:

    These sound absolutely divine!

    1. Hi Beth! Use an 8×8 pan (thanks for letting me know I forgot to include that – mommy brain strikes again! 🙂 )

  11. Warren McLean says:

    Hmmm … the recipe calls for “Whip together the cream cheese, zest, powdered sugar and milk until well blended.” but there is no milk listed ???

    Cheers
    W.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.