There’s no question that fall has arrived where I live… rain, strong winds, dropping temperatures, falling leaves, shorter days…and the appearance of cranberry bliss bars and gingerbread loaf at the local Starbucks. I normally don’t buy a pastry when I purchase my coffee but I can’t resist either one of these yummy treats. I easily found copycat recipes when I did a Google search and am happy to report that the recipe for cranberry bliss bars (here made into a loaf) is delicious.
I’m a sucker for cream cheese frosting so made sure I made enough of it for a thick layer for the top of the loaves. I sprinkled on a few dried cranberries and then drizzled white chocolate on top. The cake is full of white chocolate chips and tart dried cranberries and when it’s teamed up with the cream cheese frosting the result is awesome.
We have had heavy rain and strong winds the last few days and there is considerable damage around the greater Portland area. I felt so sorry for my vendor friends at the farmers’ market. High winds is the worst weather condition and can do immense damage in a matter of minutes. This is what it looked like yesterday. It’s fun to be a vendor during the summer when the weather is dry and warm, but winter is another story. I’ve shared photos of beautiful days at the market and wanted you to see what a bad day looks like. I experienced several of these during my years as a vendor and, believe me, they are no fun. Everybody will be back next week because those vendors are DEDICATED people.
I found this delicious recipe at The View From Great Island. The cream cheese frosting was my addition.
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup dried cranberries, plus a handful more for scattering over the frosting
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- 2 ounces white chocolate, melted
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, more if needed for spreadable consistency
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut or vegetable oil
- Set oven to 350F
- Whisk together the flours, soda, powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Mix in the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir in the cranberries and chocolate chips.
- Turn the batter into a greased and parchment lined 8-1/2" by 4-1/2" loaf pan.paper. Bake for 50-55 minutes to an hour until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out vlean. Don't over bake, . Let the cake cool before you frost it.
- Mix together the melted white chocolate and cream cheese. Blend in the vanilla. Add powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Spread on top of the cooled cake. Top with a few dried cranberries.
- Mix the chocolate and the oil together in a small (clean and dry!) microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir to melt. If necessary microwave for another few seconds until melted and smooth.
- Drizzle it over the top of the cake in a criss-cross pattern.
Well, I say yum to this! I love loaves like this – just a slice with a nice cup of coffee, and I am revived and ready to go. I have to give this one a go. Thanks!
Adri recently posted..Biscotti di Nero d’Avola
Hi Adri. I agree with you – this is perfect for a little coffee or tea break any time of day. Thanks for your comment.
Cathy recently posted..Starbuck’s Cranberry Bliss Loaf
Wow, that’s a lot of damage to the tents at the farmer’s market. Must have been scary to be there. Your cranberry loaf sounds delicious Cathy and very comforting in bad weather.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Tuscan White Bean Salad with Slow-Roasted Tomatoes
The market can be a scary place in high winds. I used heavy weights on all for legs of the canopy to help hold it down. Even with that my co-worker and I would be holding onto it for dear life. Thank heavens it doesn’t happen often.
Cathy recently posted..Starbuck’s Cranberry Bliss Loaf
What a shame!!
I have this in my plans for the holidays..have made the bars never the loaf..Looks terrific!
Monique recently posted..NumNum..Num~And Tranquility~tea~ Stitch Time~
Thank you, Monique. Have a lovely day.
I’ve been hearing about your nasty weather…sorry for all your vendor friends. We don’t have a Starbuck’s nearby so I’m not familiar with the Cranberry Bliss bars but you loaf certainly looks terrific. While not a coffee drinker, a slice would be great with a cup of tea.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..How To Have A Barn Or Yard Sale
Thank you, Karen. We have Starbucks on almost every corner and this is one of their most popular holiday sweets.
Cathy recently posted..Starbuck’s Cranberry Bliss Loaf
Wow, I am so there with anything Starbucks. Thanks for a kille recipe!
Debra recently posted..Pizza Challenge: Traditional vs. Gourmet
I agree, Debra. they have a few items that are hard for me to resist. Thanks for your comment.
Cathy recently posted..Starbuck’s Cranberry Bliss Loaf
Hi Cathy, oh how I miss Oregon! your cranberry bliss loaf is probably the best looking one out there. This would certainly be a big hit at my house. Very nice!
cheri recently posted..Grilled Fig Salad with Spiced Cashews
You can always tell the season when you visit Starbucks. The next couple,of months are my favorite with all things pumpkin, peppermint and eggnog!
Lulu recently posted..A Closer Look
This sounds like a great cake Cathy, I love the addition of whole wheat flour:@)
Lynn recently posted..Graveyard Bean Dip
oooooooh no, your poor friends
Beautiful loaf. Looks delicious and would go well with a cup of coffee or glass of tea!
I’m so glad you like the cake, Cathy! Now you’ve got me craving that gingerbread loaf… I might need to start working on another copy cat recipe! I envy you your fall weather, we’re still in the 90s :/
sue/the view from great island recently posted..Roasted Root Vegetable Soup
Your cranberry bread looks scrumptious. I think I need to investigate further.
I wish we had just half of the rain here – sans wind.
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon recently posted..Pear Tart
Clever idea to turn the bliss bars into a loaf cake, Cathy. Going to try that. I watched Ina Garten make a cream cheese frosting with mascarpone yesterday….think I will try that as well. She also added candied ginger (and lopped it all on a carrot cake) which I’m not quite as sure about.
Barbara recently posted..Pumpkin Pie Biscotti
The cranberry loaf looks wonderful, Cathy, especially with the cream cheese icing!!
Kitty recently posted..Tea Cup Exchange
I remember drooling over Sue’s post and yours looks equally tantalizing, Cathy!
What a shame about the vendors. That must have been some wind!
Susan recently posted..The Best Fall Slaw!
Yumm! This looks so good, but not so good at the market.
Oh dear! Hope they get better weather this coming weekend.
I have a friend that has been looking for this recipe, I am
going to let her know.
Marilyn recently posted..Life’s Road
This looks wonderful. I lvoe the addition of the thick layer of cream cheese frosting. Delicious!!!
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted..Trying to Make a Difference – Our Next Big Adventure
This is just your kind of dessert, Erin. I love that cream cheese frosting too. It can’t be on there thick enough for my taste.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
Hi Cathy
I love your site! You’ve inspired me to quit thinking about starting a blog and just do it. I can hardly wait to try some of these lovely recipes throughout the holiday season.
Peg (aka Snarky from the pool)
Hi Peg – What a great surprise! Thanks so much for your comment. I know you would enjoy blogging. You are so creative and you will meet some great people. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you get started. I’m looking forward to talking about it with you. See you at the pool.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
How did I miss this? What I wouldn’t give to live a tad bit closer. I’d bring a bag of fresh ground coffee and would love to join you for our Kaffee Klatsch. I love the tweaks you added to Adri’s recipe. So need to make this!
Foodiewife recently posted..Meatballs and Marinara – Pressure Cooker Style (or slow cooker)
Pssssssssst, I should really say, “Susan”. 😉
Foodiewife recently posted..Meatballs and Marinara – Pressure Cooker Style (or slow cooker)
Oh a stunning loaf, just the kind I love – and I love that you added both cranberry and chocolate. Another recipe bookmarked… and sharing this. We had 24 hours of torrential rain but luckily no damage!
Divine on so many levels! No wonder this loaf was one of Foodie Friday’s most popular recipes. Have a great week, Cathy!
Oh my gosh, I love cranberry bread, and this looks amazing. I love that is has some whole wheat flour in it. Makes it sound healthy
Cathy, Iim not sure how I missed this. This loaf would be great on our Thanksgiving table.have a nice weekend!
A delight of a wonderful looking festive cake! Another must try for sure!
Yum yum yummmm!
Sophie33 recently posted..Soothing home-made cinnamon tea!