Introduction

This Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bread is a delightful treat combining tart dried cranberries with sweet white chocolate chips in a moist, tender loaf. Topped with a smooth vanilla icing and a festive drizzle, it’s perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holidays or anytime you crave a cozy, flavorful bread.

The image shows a loaf cake sliced into three pieces on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface. The cake has a light brown, crumbly texture and is topped with a thick layer of creamy white icing that drips down the sides. Scattered throughout and on top of the icing are small red dried fruit bits, likely cranberries, adding a pop of color. The background is softly blurred with faint yellow lights, giving a cozy feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped (for decorating)
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted (for drizzle)
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for icing)
2–4 tablespoons milk (for icing)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch loaf pan with nonstick baking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Using a standing mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Step 4: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated.
Step 5: Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
Step 6: Fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips gently to distribute them evenly throughout the batter.
Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Allow the bread to cool completely in the pan; then transfer it to a wire rack with a cookie sheet underneath to catch drips.
Step 9: To prepare the vanilla icing, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk in a medium bowl. Add more milk as needed to reach a pourable consistency.
Step 10: Pour the icing over the cooled bread, spreading evenly. Let it set for at least 30 minutes.
Step 11: Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries over the icing and drizzle melted white chocolate chips on top.
Step 12: Let all toppings set completely before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra moisture, soak the dried cranberries in warm water or orange juice for 10 minutes before adding them to the batter.
Swap out white chocolate chips with semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for a less sweet version.
Add a teaspoon of orange zest to the batter for a bright citrus twist.
If you don’t have buttermilk, use regular milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar added to sour it.

Storage

Store the cranberry bliss bread covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, then refresh the icing drizzle if needed. Reheat slices briefly in the microwave for a warm treat.

How to Serve

A white plate holds a two-layer slice of a light brown cake with a soft, crumbly texture. The bottom cake layer is thick and topped with a thick layer of creamy white frosting embedded with small, dark red dried fruit pieces. The top cake layer is covered with the same frosting, and more dried fruit pieces are scattered over and around the cake on the plate. The creamy frosting is smooth and slightly melted, dripping over the sides. The background is a soft white marbled texture with blurred warm yellow lights in the back. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Fresh cranberries have higher moisture and can alter the texture of the bread. If using fresh, chop them finely and reduce added liquid slightly to maintain the right batter consistency.

Is it possible to make this bread dairy-free?

Yes, substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine and use a plant-based milk mixed with a bit of vinegar to mimic buttermilk. Make sure your white chocolate chips are dairy-free as well.