Sourdough Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies
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!
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 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!
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!
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar.
- Whisk the sourdough starter into the brown sugar mixture until it is completely mixed in.
- Whisk in the egg and vanilla.
- Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the flour mixture in, mixing until just barely combined.
- Fold in the dried cranberries.
- Pour into a greased 8×8 pan, spreading it evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until set and just starting to become golden on hte edges.
- When done, place the pan on a wire rack and cool completely.
How to frost these sourdough bliss bars
- In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, zest, powdered sugar, and milk.
- Mix with a hand mixer on medium speed until well blended.
- Evenly spread the frosting over the cooled bars.
- Sprinkle the remaining dried cranberries on top.
- Melt the white chocolate chips (or almond bark) and drizzle on top.
- While the drizzle is still soft, cut the bars into individual servings.
- Enjoy
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
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.
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Sourdough Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies
Equipment
Ingredients
Blondies
- ¾ cup flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ 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
Nutrition
These sound so good – what a great use for sourdough!
Yum! I love your photos – soft, golden base, creamy topping, cranberries winking like jewels. Beautiful.
Blondies, bars or cakes, they look wonderful! Nice job!
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!
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
Wow, these look awesome! I've never made blondies – i think that needs to change 😉
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.
These look beyond delicious! Cranberry and white chocolate and cream cheese equals irresistible!!
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
Mmmmn! Your blondies look great! I wonder if peanut butter blondies would work too?
They are a work of art, Jenni! Just gorgeous.
These sound absolutely divine!
What size pan did you use?
Hi Beth! Use an 8×8 pan (thanks for letting me know I forgot to include that – mommy brain strikes again! 🙂 )
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.