Can I be 100% transparent with you...keeping up with new recipes every day for 25 days is REALLY hard...lol. Especially with all the hustle and bustle of Christmas going on all the while. But...anyways.

I'm home now :) And very happy to be! I'm hoping to get maybe a little bit of baking done this week with the kids...although, I may only have tomorrow night and then the weekend to do so, with my busy schedule! 

How many of you are as "addicted" to Starbucks as I am? :/ Yeah, I'll admit it. I'm kind of an addict. And Christmas time is one of my favorites there because of some of their yummy holiday treats. Like the Cranberry Bliss Bars!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!!

Did you know though that there is a way to make these yummy treats, and to make them a little bit on the lighter side? THERE IS!!! Now...these are by NO MEANS clean, nor are they really healthy. They are just healthier than the ones you can buy...lol. And here is how :)


Today's code word is CRANBERRY (don't forget to comment on this post and enter via the raffle form below. See official rules Here.)

"Healthier" Cranberry Bliss Bars
2 cups all purpose flour 
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar, unpacked
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate
1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped

For the Frosting:
8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 ounces white baking chocolate, melted*
1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped
1/2 tsp vanilla extractPreheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13 inch non-stick baking pan with cooking spray. 
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and stir to blend.
In another bowl, whisk the sugars with the butter, egg whites, applesauce and vanilla until light and fluffy.Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in two parts until the batter is well blended. If the batter looks more “crumbly” than smooth, add just a drop of water at a time (ONLY if needed) until it smooths out. Fold in white chocolate chips and 1/3 cup cranberries. Spread batter onto the baking pan using the back of a measuring cup to smooth evenly. Bake 10 - 14 minutes, until the edges are light brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Don't over-bake or your bars will be dry. Let it cool completely on wire rack. While bars are baking, prepare the frosting; use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until well-blended. Frost bars and sprinkle with remaining cranberries. Drizzle with the melted white chocolate. Let set completely, about 15 minutes. And cut into triangles!! Serve and Enjoy!!

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Disclaimer: Kristi Osborn is an Independent Beachbody Coach. The postings on my site are my own and do not necessarily represent the position, strategy or opinions of Beachbody and its brands.