Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)

Something we are not doing this holiday season: spending 5 bucks for one cranberry bliss bar at Starbucks!

No my friends, we’re going to make them at home and we’re going to make them even better. These bars are the perfect combination of a chewy blondie base, sweet white chocolate, tart cranberries and tangy cream cheese frosting.

Finished with a beautiful white chocolate drizzle and a hint of orange zest, these festive cookie bars taste just like the seasonal favorite from Starbucks.

Why We Love This Recipe

• Just like the original! These bars have all the flavors of the true Starbucks version, including a buttery blondie base, creamy frosting, dried cranberries and white chocolate.
• Perfect for the holidays. With their festive colors and sweet-tart flavor, these cranberry bars make a perfect holiday treat.
• Easy to make ahead. You can prepare the blondie layer and frosting in advance, making holiday baking a little less stressful.
• Beautiful presentation. The white chocolate drizzle and bright cranberries make these bars look just as pretty as they taste.
• Easy to customize. Add a little extra orange zest, swap in your favorite gluten-free flour or adjust the amount of cranberries to suit your taste.

Ingredients

• Flour
• Brown sugar
• Butter
• Eggs
• Baking powder
• Vanilla extract
• Orange zest
• Salt
• Ground ginger
• White chocolate chips
• Dried cranberries

Here’s what you’ll need for the frosting:

• Powdered sugar
• Cream cheese 
• Butter 
• Vanilla extract
• Orange zest

How to Make Cranberry Bliss Bars

Make the Blondie Base

Start by beating the butter and sugar in a stand mixer. (You can also do this in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer.) Then, beat in the eggs, vanilla and orange zest. 

Whisk the flour, ginger, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl and slowly incorporate it into the wet ingredients. 

Then, spread the batter (it will be thick) into a baking pan and bake until golden brown. 

Make the Frosting

You can make the frosting in a stand mixer or with a handheld electric mixer. Start by beating the cream cheese and butter together. Then, slowly incorporate the powdered sugar. Finally, add the vanilla and orange zest. 

Spread the frosting over the cooled blondies before you slice them into bars. 

Decorate the Bars

​For the authentic Starbucks look, drizzle melted white chocolate over the frosting and sprinkle with dried cranberries. 

Helpful Tips

• Don’t overmix the batter. Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make the blondie bars tough instead of soft and chewy.
• Use room temperature ingredients. Using softened cream cheese, room temperature eggs and butter helps everything blend together smoothly.
• Let the bars cool completely. This is especially important before adding the cream cheese frosting. A wire rack helps the blondie layer cool evenly.
• Use a piping bag for the drizzle. A piping bag makes it easy to create thin, pretty lines of melted white chocolate across the bars. You can also use a small zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.
• Chill before slicing. Refrigerating the frosted bars for about 30 minutes makes them much easier to cut into clean triangles.
• Cut them Starbucks-style. Cut the bars into squares first, then cut each square diagonally to create a right triangle, just like the original Starbucks treat.

Storage Instructions

Because these bars have cream cheese frosting, they should be stored in the refrigerator. Store the frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Arrange them in a single layer if possible, or place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

For the best experience, let them sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying again. 

If the bars are unfrosted, you can store them at room temperature, wrapped tightly in foil. 

Can I freeze cranberry bliss bars?

Yes! Cranberry bliss bars freeze beautifully, making them a great option for getting ahead on your holiday treats.

For the best results, I recommend freezing the bars after they’ve been baked and completely cooled, but before adding the cream cheese frosting.

To freeze the blondie layer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.

You can also freeze fully assembled bars. Arrange the cooled bars in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for about 1 hour, or until the frosting is firm. Transfer the bars to a freezer-safe container, placing parchment paper between layers if stacking.

When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw the bars overnight in the refrigerator. 

Allow the bars to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving for the best texture.

Can I make them gluten free?

Definitely. 

Replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. I recommend using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour that already contains xanthan gum for the best results.

When you make these cranberry bliss bars, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy! 

For more Starbucks copycat recipes, try these: 

• Starbucks Protein Boxes
• Starbucks Sous Vide Egg Bites
• Starbucks Egg White Turkey Bacon Sandwich
• Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte
• Starbucks White Hot Chocolate