Sourdough Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies

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:

• Sourdough Kolaches
• Sourdough Mocha Chocolate Bundt Cake
• Sourdough Coffee Cake
• Sourdough Brownies

The possibilities are pretty much endless here – you can throw practically any ingredients together and make a yummy, cakey, delicious treat!

These blondies are so soft and cakey. The cranberries and the yummy cream cheese frosting… Seriously, these are almost cake!

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. 

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

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.

New to sourdough? Read my ultimate guide to sourdough for beginners to get all the answers to your questions in easy to understand ways!

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.