Tasty Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Introduction

If you love the festive flavors of Starbucks’ Cranberry Bliss Bars, this copycat recipe brings that beloved treat right into your kitchen. These bars combine buttery blondie bases with tangy cranberries, luscious white chocolate, and a creamy orange cream cheese frosting for a truly irresistible dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (7.5 oz)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 12 tbsp unsalted butter (6 oz)
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar (10.5 oz)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp grated orange zest
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries (3.5 oz, loosely packed)
• 1 1/3 cups white chocolate, chopped or chips (8 oz)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted (6 oz)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 1 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest, finely grated
• 2/3 cup white chocolate, melted (4 oz)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (2.3 oz, loosely packed)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the rack in the middle. Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray, then line it with parchment paper, allowing excess on the sides for easy removal. Spray the parchment paper as well.
2. Step 2: In a light-colored saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir frequently as it foams and the milk solids turn golden brown. Remove from heat immediately and pour the browned butter into a bowl, scraping all browned bits. Allow it to cool completely.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, combine the cooled browned butter with brown sugar, whisking until well blended. Stir in eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth.
4. Step 4: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Fold in white chocolate and dried cranberries. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 18 to 22 minutes until edges are golden and the top is set. Cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Step 5: Beat together softened cream cheese, sifted confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and finely grated orange zest until smooth and fluffy. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Chill for about 10 minutes if desired.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle roughly chopped dried cranberries over the frosting. Drizzle melted white chocolate decoratively on top. To drizzle easily, pour melted chocolate into a small zip-top bag, snip a corner, and drizzle over the bars. Refrigerate until set.
7. Step 7: Once chilled and toppings are firm, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang. Slice into squares and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Brown the butter carefully for a rich, nutty flavor that elevates the blondie base.
• Try substituting dried cherries for cranberries for a sweeter variation.
• Use good quality white chocolate to enhance the creamy sweetness of the bars.
• Chill the bars before drizzling chocolate for cleaner decoration and easier slicing.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. Warm slightly at room temperature for creamier texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Just ensure the blend contains a binding agent like xanthan gum for best results.

Can I prepare these bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! These bars can be baked and frosted a day in advance. Keep them refrigerated and add the toppings just before serving for the freshest appearance and flavor.

Tasty Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 78 reviews

These Tasty Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful treat combining a buttery blondie base with dried cranberries, white chocolate chunks, and a creamy orange-vanilla cream cheese frosting. Finished with a drizzle of white chocolate and more cranberries, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and rich flavors, ideal for holidays or anytime a festive dessert is needed.

• Author: Logan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Blondie Base

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (7.5 oz)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 12 tbsp unsalted butter (6 oz)
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar (10.5 oz)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp grated orange zest
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries (3.5 oz, loosely packed)
• 1 1/3 cups white chocolate, chopped or chips (8 oz)

Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted (6 oz)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest, finely grated

Toppings

• 2/3 cup white chocolate, melted (4 oz)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (2.3 oz, loosely packed)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack in the middle. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray, then line the bottom with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Spray the parchment paper again to prevent sticking.
2. Brown the Butter: In a light-colored saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir frequently as the butter foams and the milk solids turn golden brown. Immediately remove from heat and pour into a bowl, scraping all browned bits. Allow to cool completely.
3. Mix the Dry and Wet Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, combine the cooled browned butter and light brown sugar, whisking well. Add the lightly beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest, mixing until smooth.
4. Combine Batter and Bake: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula until just combined. Fold in the chopped white chocolate and dried cranberries. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until edges are golden and the top is set. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
5. Prepare and Spread the Frosting: Beat together the softened cream cheese, sifted confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and finely grated orange zest in a medium bowl until fluffy and smooth. When bars are cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Chill for 10 minutes to firm up the frosting before decorating.
6. Add Toppings and Finish: Evenly sprinkle the roughly chopped dried cranberries over the frosted bars. Drizzle the melted white chocolate decoratively over the top, using a piping bag or a small zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Refrigerate until the frosting and drizzle are set.
7. Slice and Serve: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Slice into squares and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

• Browning the butter deepens the flavor and adds richness to the blondie base.
• Make sure the browned butter is completely cooled to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely in the batter.
• Do not overmix the batter to maintain a tender crumb.
• Chilling the bars after frosting makes the chocolate drizzle application easier and results in cleaner slices.
• Store bars refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.

Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, Starbucks copycat, cranberry dessert bars, white chocolate bars, holiday desserts