Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycat Recipe

Share away friends!

Looking for the perfect holiday treat? These Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delicious homemade version of the popular Starbucks favorite, with a buttery blondie base packed with tart cranberries, ginger, and orange zest. Topped with a rich cream cheese frosting and a white chocolate drizzle, these bars are festive, flavorful, and easy to make. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or gifting to friends, this recipe is sure to impress!

The Key Secret Most Recipes Are Missing

After testing, I found the secret: use three eggs but only one of them whole, the other two we’ll only be using the yolks, no whites. This combo makes the bars dense and chewy, creating the perfect texture for these soft blondies.

I prefer these bars to not be overly sweet. I want the flavors of orange zest, fresh ginger, and tart cranberries to shine. It’s all about balance. And friends, I’ve cracked the code. 😉

Many recipes called for candied ginger, but fresh ginger adds the zing needed for these holiday treats. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.

I also use high-quality white chocolate bars in the dough and as a topping, saving white chocolate chips for the white chocolate drizzle. To ensure even cranberry distribution, I dice the dried cranberries, which results in better flavor and texture throughout each bite.

Why I Love Using Organic Flour

One of the key ingredients in this recipe is organic unbleached flour. I always opt for organic flour in my baking because it’s free of harmful chemicals and additives, and it helps achieve a better texture and flavor in baked goods. I recommend using a flour with at least 4% protein content, though even more is even better for these dense, chewy bars. The higher protein content helps create the perfect structure for these bars, giving them just the right bite and texture.

Making the Perfect Bars

Don’t be alarmed if the dough is sticky—it’s supposed to be. Spread it out in a prepared pan (I recommend a parchment-lined 13-inch baking pan) and flatten it using buttered parchment paper to prevent sticking.

For the best results, bake in a metal pan for 18-22 minutes. Using a glass dish may cause uneven baking, resulting in bars that are too dense. Let them cool on a wire rack before frosting to avoid melting the sweet cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting Tips

A key tip: always use brick cream cheese for your frosting, not the tub version. Tub cream cheese has a higher water content and results in runny frosting that won’t hold up on these chewy blondies. Stick to chilled brick cream cheese for thick, creamy frosting that won’t disappoint.

For the frosting, mix room temperature butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Add orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract for flavor. This cream cheese frosting is the perfect pairing for these bars.

Cranberry Bars Finishing Touches

What are cranberry bars without their beautiful toppings? Sprinkle diced dried cranberries and chopped white chocolate bars on top of the frosting. 

For the perfect white chocolate drizzle, I recommend using a double boiler on the stovetop instead of a microwave. To do this, fill a small pot with about an inch of water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Place a heat-safe bowl on top, ensuring it doesn’t touch the water. Add the white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate to the bowl, stirring frequently as it melts. Once smooth and fully melted, drizzle it over the frosted bars for a beautiful finishing touch. 

Finish with a sprinkle of Decorative Sparkling Sugar for an extra festive look.

Store these bars in an airtight container or a freezer-safe container if you’re making them ahead for the holiday season. They’re delicious cold, so serving them straight from the fridge is highly recommended for these copycat Starbucks cranberry bliss bars. 

Did you know I actually met Bob? I went to his facility in Oregon this summer along with eight other bloggers and food content creators. Bob shared his heart and passion for quality food with us. Then he sat down at his piano and played “You’re Nobody Til Somebody Loves You“, (Something that was so truly special and I’ll remember until my dying day.) before sending us off to tour his facility. Truly it was an amazing experience and solidified the fact to me that Bob’s Red Mill is a quality brand I will use over others whenever I have the opportunity.

I can’t wait for you to try these! Please make sure to five star this recipe and share how much you enjoyed the recipe! Also tag me over on Instagram so I can post your creations in IG stories!

Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars

Eryn Whalen

These Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delicious copycat Starbucks recipe, featuring a buttery blondie base with tart cranberries, fresh ginger, and orange zest.

Topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting and a decadent white chocolate drizzle, these holiday treats are perfect for gifting or enjoying with family. They’re sure to become a festive favorite!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Uncategorized

Cuisine American

Servings 24

Calories 391 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 2 sticks room temperature butter
• 1 whole egg
• 2 egg yolks discard whites
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 2 tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
• 2 1/4 cups Organic White Flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries (chopped)
• 3 oz white chocolate bar chopped

Frosting

• 8 oz brick cream cheese cold from fridge
• 1 stick 1/2 cup room temp butter
• 2 tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1/4 tsp grated ginger
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Toppings

• 2 oz white chocolate bar chopped
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries chopped
• 2 tbsp Decorative Sparkling Sugar
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips for drizzle

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and dark brown sugar using an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the egg, egg yolks, and vanilla extract. Mix in the orange juice, zest, and ginger.
• Sift the dry ingredients (flour, salt, and baking powder) into a separate bowl and slowly add to the wet ingredients. Fold in the chopped cranberries and white chocolate.
• Spread the dough into the prepared pan and bake for 18-22 minutes, until golden brown. Let the bars cool on a wire rack before frosting.
• For the frosting, whip the chilled brick of cream cheese until fluffy. Cream in butter until smooth. Mix in the orange juice, zest, and vanilla. Gradually add the powdered sugar until the frosting has no lumps.
• Frost the cooled bars, sprinkle with cranberries and white chocolate, then drizzle with melted white chocolate.
• Store bars in a fridge or airtight container or wrap in plastic wrap. 

Notes

Storage: These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They also freeze well in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Cutting Tips: For cleaner cuts, refrigerate the bars for at least 30 minutes before slicing into squares and triangles.

Ingredient Substitutions: If you prefer, you can use dried orange zest or ground ginger in place of fresh, though fresh ingredients provide the best flavor.

White Chocolate Melting Tip: For best results, melt white chocolate over a double boiler to avoid overheating and burning.

Keyword bars, cranberry, orange, starbucks

You may also like:

Soft pumpkin cookies

Organic hot cocoa mix recipe

Cherry hand pies

Share away friends!