Cranberry Bliss Bars {Starbucks Copycat Recipe}

If you’ve ever wandered into Starbucks during the holiday season, you’ve probably been tempted by those bright, festive, and oh-so-decadent Cranberry Bliss Bars. Sweet, tangy, and topped with a creamy white chocolate frosting, they are a perfect balance of indulgence and flavor. Now, imagine recreating that magic right in your own kitchen. These Cranberry Bliss Bars combine chewy, buttery base bars with tart Craisins and a luscious cream cheese frosting, finished with white chocolate drizzle and more cranberries. Every bite is a holiday celebration, perfect for gifting, brunches, or simply treating yourself.

Recipe Origin

Cranberry Bliss Bars were first introduced by Starbucks during the holiday season, becoming an instant favorite. Inspired by traditional blondies and bars with dried cranberries and white chocolate, they offer a combination of sweet, tart, and creamy flavors. This copycat recipe allows you to capture that same festive taste at home without the café price tag, giving you buttery, chewy bars with creamy frosting in every bite.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need:

• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk or electric mixer
• Spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cooling rack
• Microwave-safe bowl for melting chocolate
• Knife and cutting board

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Why You’ll Love Cranberry Bliss Bars

These bars aren’t just a treat—they’re a full sensory experience that’s festive, flavorful, and downright addictive. Here’s why you’ll fall in love:

Festive Flavor: Tart cranberries, sweet white chocolate, and buttery base create a perfect holiday taste.

Crowd-Pleasing: Ideal for family gatherings, office parties, or potlucks.

Quick and Easy: The bars come together with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.

Customizable: Add nuts, swap white chocolate for dark chocolate, or even infuse with orange zest for a citrus twist.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the bars ahead of time and frost them later for convenience during busy holidays.

Chef’s Pro Tips for Perfect Results:

• Melt butter gently to avoid separating.
• Beat eggs with sugar until light and fluffy for a tender crumb.
• Use room-temperature cream cheese for smooth frosting.
• Don’t overmix flour to keep the bars soft and chewy.
• Sprinkle chopped cranberries and drizzle chocolate right before serving for the best presentation.

Ingredients in Cranberry Bliss Bars

Here’s what makes these bars irresistible:

Butter: Provides richness and a tender, chewy texture to the bars.

Brown Sugar: Adds deep, caramel-like sweetness.

Eggs: Bind the bars and give structure.

Orange Extract & Vanilla Extract: Infuse a festive, aromatic flavor that complements cranberries.

Ground Ginger: Adds warmth and a hint of spice.

Baking Powder & Salt: Ensure proper rise and balance flavors.

All-Purpose Flour: Creates a sturdy yet tender base.

White Chocolate Chips: Melt during baking to add pockets of creamy sweetness.

Craisins: Tart dried cranberries provide contrast and a chewy texture.

Cream Cheese Frosting: Smooth, slightly tangy, and sweet—perfect for topping these bars.

White Chocolate Drizzle & Topping: Adds elegance and extra indulgence.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Prep the Pan and Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter with brown sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, orange extract, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, baking powder, and salt.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure tender bars.

Add Mix-Ins: Fold in white chocolate chips and Craisins, reserving some for topping.

Bake the Bars: Pour batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool Completely: Remove bars from the oven and let cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack.

Prepare the Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, orange extract, and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy.

Frost the Bars: Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Sprinkle remaining chopped Craisins over the top.

Drizzle White Chocolate: Melt white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring in between. Drizzle over the frosted bars.

Serve and Enjoy: Slice into squares and enjoy immediately, or store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 16
Calories per serving: ~280–320

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

How to Serve Cranberry Bliss Bars

Holiday Dessert: Serve as part of a holiday dessert spread with cookies, fudge, and other treats.

Gift Idea: Cut into individual squares and wrap in festive packaging for homemade gifts.

Coffee Pairing: Perfect with coffee or tea, especially during brunch or afternoon treats.

Party-Ready: Display on a platter with white chocolate drizzle and cranberries for a beautiful presentation.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Prep Ahead: Bake bars a day in advance and frost before serving.
• Storage: Keep frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: Frosted bars can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Variations to Try:

• Nutty Variation: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for crunch.
• Citrus Twist: Add grated orange zest to the frosting or batter.
• Chocolate Swap: Use white chocolate chips in the batter and dark chocolate drizzle for contrast.
• Spice Boost: Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom for extra warmth.
• Mini Bars: Bake in a muffin tin for individual bite-sized treats.

Additional Tips

• Cream Cheese Consistency: Ensure cream cheese is room temperature for a smooth frosting.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Melt chocolate slowly to prevent burning.
• Even Baking: Use a metal baking pan for best results; glass may require longer baking time.
• Cutting Bars: Chill slightly before slicing to maintain clean edges.
• Presentation: Add a few whole Craisins on top for a professional look.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I make these bars gluten-free?
A1: Yes, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend.

Q2: Can I use frozen cranberries instead of Craisins?
A2: Fresh or frozen cranberries can be used but may require a slightly longer baking time.

Q3: Can I make these vegan?
A3: Use vegan butter, eggs substitute (like flax eggs), and dairy-free cream cheese and chocolate.

Q4: How do I store leftover bars?
A4: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Q5: Can I freeze them?
A5: Yes, wrap individual bars and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.

Q6: Can I use milk chocolate instead of white chocolate?
A6: Yes, adjust sweetness as needed and ensure it melts smoothly.

Q7: Can I make the frosting ahead of time?
A7: Yes, prepare and refrigerate until ready to use. Bring to room temperature before spreading.

Q8: Can I skip the white chocolate drizzle?
A8: Absolutely, though it adds a classic finishing touch.

Q9: Can I use orange zest instead of extract?
A9: Yes, about 1–2 teaspoons of finely grated orange zest works perfectly.

Q10: Can I make smaller bars for gifting?
A10: Yes, cut into bite-sized pieces for easy packaging and gifting.

Conclusion

Cranberry Bliss Bars are the ultimate holiday treat, combining buttery, chewy bars with tangy cranberries, rich white chocolate, and creamy frosting. They’re versatile, festive, and absolutely irresistible—perfect for celebrations, gifting, or indulging yourself. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can enjoy Starbucks-style holiday magic right at home. Slice, frost, drizzle, and savor every festive, flavorful bite.

Discover how to make Cranberry Bliss Bars just like Starbucks—blondie meets frosting: