Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Introduction

If you love the festive flavors of Starbucks’ Cranberry Bliss Bars, this copycat recipe is perfect for you. These blondie bars combine tart cranberries, creamy frosting, and white chocolate for a delightful treat that’s easier to make at home than you might think.

Ingredients

• For the blondie layer:
  • 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)
• For the 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
  • 2/3 cup white chocolate, melted (4 oz)
• For the topping:
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (2.3 oz, loosely packed)
  • 1 2/3 cups white chocolate, melted (10 oz)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack in the middle. Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Spray the parchment paper again to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: Brown the butter by melting it over medium heat in a light-colored saucepan. Stir frequently as it foams and the milk solids turn golden brown. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a bowl, scraping in the flavorful browned bits. Let it cool completely.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a larger bowl, combine the cooled browned butter and brown sugar, whisking well. Stir in the 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 the 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.
5. Step 5: Prepare the frosting by beating together cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and orange zest until fluffy and smooth. Spread evenly over the cooled bars. For easier decorating, chill for about 10 minutes after frosting.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries over the frosting. Drizzle the melted white chocolate in a decorative pattern—using a small bag with a cut corner can help control the drizzle. Refrigerate until the frosting and drizzle are firm.
7. Step 7: Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang and cut into triangles or squares. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Brown the butter carefully and remove it from heat as soon as it turns golden to avoid a burnt flavor.
• For a stronger orange flavor, add a bit more orange zest to the frosting or sprinkle some zest on top.
• If your frosting seems too soft, add a little more confectioners’ sugar to help it set.
• Use good quality white chocolate for both the batter and the drizzle—it makes a noticeable difference in taste.

Storage

Store these bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best texture, let them come to room temperature briefly before serving. The frosting and white chocolate drizzle hold up well when chilled.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, but make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to maintain texture.

Can I freeze Cranberry Bliss Bars?

Yes, these bars freeze well. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 143 reviews

These Tasty Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars are luscious blondies loaded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks, topped with a creamy orange-infused cream cheese frosting and finished with a drizzle of melted white chocolate and chopped cranberries. This delightful treat combines rich brown butter flavor and tangy citrus notes, perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a sweet, festive dessert.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Total Time: 37 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars 1x
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Blondie Layer:

• 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)

For the 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
• 2/3 cup white chocolate, melted (4 oz)

For the Topping:

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (2.3 oz, loosely packed)
• 1 2/3 cups white chocolate, melted (10 oz)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the oven rack in the middle. Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and line it with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on both sides for easy removal later. Spray the parchment paper with nonstick spray as well to prevent sticking.
2. Brown the Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently as the butter foams and the milk solids turn golden brown. Immediately remove from heat and transfer the browned butter into a bowl, scraping in all browned bits. Allow the butter to cool completely before using. This step enhances the blondie’s flavor with a rich, nutty taste.
3. Mix the Dry and Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, combine the cooled browned butter and brown sugar, whisking until smooth. Add the beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest, stirring until fully incorporated.
4. Combine Batter and Bake: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a rubber spatula until just combined – avoid overmixing. 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 on a wire rack to room temperature before frosting.
5. Prepare and Spread the Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese, sifted confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and finely grated orange zest in a medium bowl until fluffy and smooth. Once the bars are fully cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. You may chill the bars for about 10 minutes afterward to make them easier to decorate.
6. Add Toppings and Finish: Sprinkle the roughly chopped dried cranberries evenly over the frosted bars. Drizzle the melted white chocolate decoratively over the top. For easier drizzling, place the melted white chocolate in a zip-top bag, snip a corner, and drizzle. Refrigerate the bars until the frosting and chocolate are firm and set for neat slicing.
7. Slice and Serve: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into triangles or desired shapes. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Make sure the browned butter is completely cooled before mixing with sugar and eggs to prevent cooking the eggs.
• Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and chewy.
• Chilling after frosting helps the toppings set better and improves slicing.
• If your frosting is runny, add a bit more powdered sugar or melted white chocolate to thicken it before spreading.
• Store bars refrigerated to maintain freshness and texture for up to 5 days.
• You can use white chocolate chips instead of chopping a white chocolate bar for convenience.

Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, Starbucks copycat, blondies, white chocolate blondies, holiday bars, cranberry bars, cream cheese frosting