If you love the holiday favorite Cranberry Bliss Bars from Starbucks then you’ll love this copycat version that lets you make them at home.
You’ll love this recipe with a sweet, chewy blondie base topped with creamy cream cheese frosting, tart cranberries, and a drizzle of white chocolate. That’s the essence of Cranberry Bliss Bars!
These yummy treats are a perfect blend of tangy and sweet, with a hint of orange flavor that makes them irresistibly delicious. There is a big reason they’re so popular at Starbucks!
Whether you’re serving them up for a holiday party or just as a tasty treat with your coffee, these bars are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Cranberry Bliss Bars are more than just a dessert; they’re a celebration of holiday flavors and textures. Their festive appearance and delicious taste make them a must-have on any holiday dessert table.
Whether you’re recreating a coffee shop classic or trying out a new recipe, these bars are sure to become a seasonal favorite in your home. Give them a try and watch as they become a part of your holiday traditions!
Common Questions About Cranberry Bliss Bars
Can I Use Fresh Cranberries Instead of Dried?
It’s best to stick with dried cranberries. The fresh ones are extra tart and they have a lot more moisture in them than the dried ones. Sometimes fresh is better, just not in this case!
Can I Make These Gluten-Free?
Yes, just swap out the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour. Keep in mind that the flavor and texture will be different. Don’t let that stop you, though. The gluten-free peeps need yummy treats too!
How Do I Get the Cream Cheese Frosting Just Right?
Ensure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for a smooth, spreadable frosting. This is one of the little tricks of the trade that help you get things just right.
Storage
These are a major upgrade on blondie bars. There is so much flavor packed into these little beauties! You’ll definitely want to save this cranberry bliss bar recipe for later!
Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Freezer
Wrap bars individually in plastic wrap, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Tips
I want to make sure you have the most delicious cranberry bliss bar possible. Here are a few pointers to remember when making these.
- Proper Measurement: Be precise with your ingredient measurements for the best results.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring butter, cream cheese, and eggs to room temperature.
- Even Baking: Use a jelly roll pan for perfectly shaped bars.
- Cool Completely: Let the bars cool before frosting to prevent the icing from melting.
- Decorate Creatively: Have fun with the white chocolate drizzle and cranberry topping.
Ingredients
That orange zest really gives these bars an extra pop. If you want, you can also use a little orange extract!
- White chocolate chips
- Brown sugar
- Cream cheese
- Unsalted butter
- All-purpose flour
- Dried cranberries
- Orange zest
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar
- Eggs
- Baking powder
- Salt
How to Make Cranberry Bliss Bars
So, we need to make the bars and then the frosting. This is a two part combo that you’re absolutely going to love!
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Beat the butter and brown sugar in a bowl until smooth.
- Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat for another minute or two until the mixture is smooth.
- Mix the flour, orange zest, baking powder, ground ginger, and salt in a separate bowl. Add those dry ingredients to the other bowl. Mix everything with a mixer or spatula.
- Add the chopped cranberries, white chocolate chips, and the orange juice.
- Mix everything thoroughly. The dough is quite thick, but very sticky and soft.
- Line a baking tray (about 8×10) with parchment paper and spread the dough in a thin layer (about 1/2 inch). Flatten with a spatula and bake for 20 minutes.
- When the bars are ready, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly (15 minutes).
Frosting
- Beat the cream cheese with confectioner’s sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla. Beat for no more than 1 minute or until ingredients are combined.
- Spread the frosting onto the cooled bars.
- Sprinkle with chopped cranberries.
- Melt the white chocolate chips – it’s convenient to do this in the microwave in 30-second bursts (3-4 times).
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the bars. Let the chocolate harden for 10-15 minutes.
- Cut the bars into 3- to 4-inch squares, then cut each square on a diagonal before serving.
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need for Cranberry Bliss Bars
When I served these at a family get-together, I had rave reviews from everyone. There wasn’t a single person that didn’t want more.
- Jelly roll pan or cookie sheet
- Parchment paper
- Electric or hand mixer
- Large and medium bowls
- Spatula
- Wire rack
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knives
What to Serve With Cranberry Bliss Bars
Don’t feel like you have to serve these with anything at all. They stand amazingly well on their own. They’re also beautiful, so they make an amazing centerpiece for any holiday spread!
- A cup of your favorite holiday drink
- Alongside a festive holiday spread
- As a dessert after a hearty meal
- With a scoop of vanilla ice cream
Why You Should Make Cranberry Bliss Bars
Got a hankering for those Starbucks bliss bars but you don’t want to drop the money on them? Well, here is your perfect opportunity!
- Perfect Holiday Treat: Captures the essence of the holiday season.
- Delightful Flavor Combo: The cranberry and white chocolate pair wonderfully.
- Crowd Pleaser: Loved by both kids and adults.
- Easy to Make: A straightforward recipe for an impressive result.
- Great for Gifting: Wrap them up for a homemade holiday gift.
Variations and Add-Ins for Cranberry Bliss Bars
If you’ve got any other yummy ideas on ways to change these up, let me know in the comments. I love hearing from you!
- Orange Juice: Add a teaspoon to the frosting for extra zest.
- Coconut Oil: Substitute for butter in the blondie base for a vegan version.
- Nuts: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunchy twist.
- Dark Chocolate: Swap white chocolate with dark for a bittersweet contrast.
- Seasonal Spices: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cinnamon for warmth.
If you love this easy bar recipe, you’re going to love these other bars too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Cranberry Recipes
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Cranberry Bliss Bars Starbucks
Ingredients
Bars
- ½ cup butter
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup dried cranberries chopped
- 3 tbsp orange juice
Frosting
- 1 cup cream cheese
- ⅓ cup confectioner’s sugar
- 4 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Sprinkles
- ⅓ cup white chocolate chips
- dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Beat the butter and brown sugar in a bowl until smooth.
- Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat for another minute or two until the mixture is smooth.
- Mix the flour, orange zest, baking powder, ground ginger, and salt in a separate bowl. Add those dry ingredients to the other bowl. Mix everything with a mixer or spatula.
- Add the chopped cranberries, white chocolate chips, and the orange juice.
- Mix everything thoroughly. The dough is quite thick, but very sticky and soft.
- Line a baking tray (about 8×10) with parchment paper and spread the dough in a thin layer (about 1/2 inch). Flatten with a spatula and bake for 20 minutes.
- When the bars are ready, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly (15 minutes).
Frosting
- Beat the cream cheese with confectioner’s sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla. Beat for no more than 1 minute or until ingredients are combined.
- Spread the frosting onto the cooled bars.
- Sprinkle with chopped cranberries.
- Melt the white chocolate chips – it’s convenient to do this in the microwave in 30-second bursts (3-4 times).
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the bars. Let the chocolate harden for 10-15 minutes.
- Cut the bars into 3- to 4-inch squares, then cut each square on a diagonal before serving.
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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