Cranberry Bliss Bars

These Starbucks dupes are both gluten free and vegan!! And they only take about 30 minutes to throw together!!

I used Epicure's gluten free Shortbread Cookie Mix as the base for these bars making them SO easy to throw together!

The rich buttery (vegan!) flavour of the shortbread cookie crust has bursts of cranberry and white chocolate - next is a creamy vegan cream cheese frosting layer with a hint of orange zest, and finished off with a sprinkle of craisins and melted white chocolate creating the most delicious treat!

Recipe

For the bars:

1 package Epicure's Shortbread Cookie Mix

1/2 cup vegan butter

2 tbsp water

1/4 cup vegan white chocolate chips

1/2 Craisins

Frosting Layer:

4oz vegan cream cheese - I used tofutti

2 tbsp vegan butter

1 1/3 cups powdered sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp orange zest (optional)

Topping:

1/4 cup white chocolate chips - melted

1/4 cup craisins

1. Add Shortbread Cookie Mix, vegan butter and water to a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, mix until a well combined dough forms, then add in your craisins and vegan white chocolate chips - stir in with a spatula or wooden spoon.

2.Line a 9x9 oven safe dish with parchment paper, press your dough into the bottom of the dish, bake at 375 for 16-20 minutes. Let it cool completely.

While the bars are cooling - make your frosting!!

3. Beat all cream cheese and vegan butter in a stand mixer with paddle attachment until smooth, add in powdered sugar and slowly mix until well incorporated (you may need to add extra to achieve your desired consistency) Add in vanilla extract and orange zest, mix until combined. Pour frosting over bars then top with craisins and drizzle melted white chocolate in a piping bag - pipe it on in thin lines!