a state of bliss

I have a Starbucks card for one reason and one reason only--occasionally, the company will send out an email containing a code for a free drink. I like free things.

While their lattes aren't nearly as amazing as what you'd find at a smaller, more intimate coffee shop, they'll definitely do in a pinch, especially at no cost. What I refuse to do, however, is order their food.

Have you looked in that case of baked goods? Sorry if this seems harsh, but baked bads is more like it. After being completely spoiled by made-from-scratch, small-batch pastries, I can't possibly consider paying for or eating that stuff. I wasn't always such a sweets snob and have tried the cranberry bliss bar on a few occasions, with mixed results. When it was obviously fresh and new, I enjoyed it quite a bit, but sometimes it had clearly been lingering in the case for a good long while and was like cardboard in the mouth.

No, a much better alternative for me is to make my own, and this recipe is fantastic. I found it on Mel's Kitchen Cafe and just tweaked a few things. The bars are soft, sweet, chewy, and just completely enjoyable from the first bite to the last. Keep your money in your pocket the next time you stare at that Starbucks case while you wait to place your (free) order and make your own instead!

Cranberry Happiness Bars (alternatively Crappiness Bars)(maybe not the best name)
Based on this recipe
Makes 12 large bars
Ingredients:
Blondies:

• 4 ounces (8 tablespoons) butter
• 1-1/3 cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 4 ounces white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped or 3/4 cup white chocolate chips

Frosting:

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 ounces white baking chocolate, melted
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar until well-combined. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract.
Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well-combined then fold in the cranberries and white chocolate.
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist (not gooey) crumbs.
For the frosting, using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla. Scoop in about half of the melted chocolate and mix until creamy and well-combined.
Spread the frosting onto the cooled bars. Sprinkle with cranberries and drizzle the remaining white chocolate over the top. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set.