Cranberry "Boss" Bliss Bars (Like Starbucks but Leveled Up)
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A plant‑powered riff on the Starbucks classic—now with chia swagger and stealth‑mode fiber.
Why you’ll fall in love with these Cranberry "Boss" Bliss Bars
Because you’re done letting sugar crashes hijack your hustle. This take on Starbucks' cranberry bliss bars fuel even my most hectic days full of Zumba choreo, content creating and late‑night horror plot twists (oh yeah I am indeed a horror writer) with real‑deal protein, slow carbs, and gut‑happy fiber.
They’re tender like a blondie, studded with ruby cranberries, then kissed with a bright citrus “cream‑cheese” glaze. Bliss? More like boss.
So no more need to wait until the holidays when Starbucks releases this holiday treat.
Macro Snapshot (per bar, rough cut)
Calories: ~165
Protein: ~9 g
Fiber: ~6 g (shout‑out to chia + inulin)
Net carbs: ~15 g
Fat: ~7 g
(Values vary with the protein powder and chips you choose—this is the ballpark, not the ball‑and‑chain.)
Ingredients
What | How much | Notes |
Dry squad | ||
Rolled oats, quick‑pulse into flour | 1 cup | Or sub oat flour straight outta the bag |
Vanilla or unflavored vegan protein powder | ¾ cup | Pea, brown‑rice, or a blend—shoot for ~20 g protein per scoop |
Almond flour | ½ cup | Lends that blondie chew |
Ground chia seeds | 2 Tbsp | Omega‑3 confetti |
Inulin powder | 2 Tbsp | Prebiotic fiber—happy gut, happy you |
Baking powder | 1 tsp | |
Fine sea salt | ¼ tsp | |
Wet squad | ||
Unsweetened applesauce | ½ cup | Moisture without extra oil |
Maple syrup (or date syrup) | ⅓ cup | Adjust to sweetness vibe |
Almond butter, warmed | 3 Tbsp | Helps bars bind & boosts protein |
Vanilla extract | 2 tsp | |
Orange zest | 1 tsp | Optional. Classic bliss bar sparkle |
Fold‑ins & toppers | ||
Dried cranberries (fruit‑juice sweetened) | ½ cup, divided | ¼ cup inside, ¼ cup on top |
White‑chocolate chips | ⅓ cup, divided | Optional but nostalgic (I found some vegan ones on Amazon* |
Coconut oil (for drizzle, optional) | 1 tsp | Helps thin the chips |
*No vegan white chips handy? Melt ¼ cup cocoa butter + 1 Tbsp powdered sugar instead
Quick March to Bliss
Preheat & Prep Set oven to 350 °F / 175 °C. Line an 8‑inch square pan with parchment, leaving flaps for easy lift‑out.
Whisk the dry squad. Oat flour, protein powder, almond flour, ground chia, inulin, baking powder, salt—toss like you’re DJ‑ing the world’s healthiest mix tape.
Stir the wet squad. Applesauce, maple syrup, warmed almond butter, vanilla, orange zest. No pockets of nut butter left behind.
Bring the band together. Fold wet into dry. Batter will be thick—think cookie‑dough consistency. Stir in ¼ cup cranberries and ¼ cup chips.
Bake it. Spread evenly in pan (wet hands help). Bake 18‑22 min, until edges are lightly golden and center springs back. Cool completely—patience, grasshopper.
Glaze & glam. Melt remaining chips with coconut oil (30 sec bursts in microwave). Drizzle across cooled slab. Sprinkle remaining cranberries while drizzle is still soft. Chill 10 min to set, then lift and slice into 12 dreamy triangles (or rectangles if geometry isn’t your jam).
Swap‑ology & Pro Tips
Nut‑free? Sub sunflower‑seed butter and swap almond flour for tigernut or additional oat flour.
Lower sugar? Halve the syrup and replace with more applesauce; add a drop of liquid stevia if needed.
Cranberry coaster? Dried cherries, goji berries, or chopped apricots play nicely too.
Fridge life: 6 days sealed. Freezer: 2 months—pop one out whenever creativity (or cravings) strike.
Final Word from the Future
You’ve just hacked a coffee‑shop indulgence into a nutrient‑dense powerhouse—proof that nostalgia and wellness can coexist in the same bite. Post those shiny bar pics, tag #BlissBarGlowUp, and remind your readers: self‑care tastes better when it’s homemade.
Now go—bake, share, conquer. Your audience (and your microbiome) await.
Disclaimer:
The tips provided in this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for medical diagnosis before starting any new exercise or nutrition program, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or injuries.
