Cranberry Bliss Bars are totally delish! And with this easy bliss bars recipe, you no longer have to wait until the winter season to indulge. My copycat cranberry bliss bars are just as tender, tart, and sweet as the originals — ready in only 30 minutes!
Cranberry Bliss Bars
If you have ever been to Starbucks in the fall or winter, I am sure you have at least seen these spectacular treats — if not devoured one or twenty!
Cranberry Bliss Bars are perfectly named as they are pure dessert bliss packed into a little bar.
First, a tender blondie base is packed with cranberries, white chocolate, and a hint of spice.
Top that off with a fabulous orange cream cheese frosting, then finish with tart dried cranberries and a drizzle of white chocolate.
Pair your treat with a homemade peppermint mocha or iced cinnamon dolce latte.
And be sure to try more cranberry treats like these shortbread cookies or my famous Christmas cake!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Dried Cranberries – Sweetened are best to balance the natural tartness.
But since Starbucks cranberry bliss bars also feature frosting and chocolate drizzle, feel free to stick with unsweetened if you prefer.
Do not use fresh or frozen cranberries — the texture is not the same, and they will make your bars a bit soggy.
- White Chocolate Chips – These will melt easier than some white chocolate bars because they contain extra cocoa butter. Grab the highest quality you can find.
If you’re not a huge fan of the flavor, you can use white candy melts instead.
- Orange Juice – Sweet and tart, it’s the perfect pair for cranberry and helps cut through the richness of the cream cheese frosting.
To amp up the flavor a bit more, include a tablespoon or two of zest as well!
Tips for Making Cranberry Bliss Bars like Starbucks
- Follow the steps carefully.
They’re there for a reason! Butter and sugar need to be mixed for a while to cream properly, but the batter for the blondie base should not be overmixed.
It’s also important to let the bars cool completely before adding the toppings. Otherwise, they will simply melt into the base and make a gooey mess.
- Use parchment paper!
Not only is another way to prevent sticking, but it makes it much easier to slice the bliss bars (more on that later).
Spray the baking pan with nonstick spray, then press the parchment into the pan so it sticks to the bottom.
Leave some hanging over the edges on opposite sides, then add another light coating of spray.
- Easy drizzling tip:
Instead of buying special piping bags, use a Ziploc baggie! Spoon the melted white chocolate inside, seal shut, then snip off one of the bottom corners.
Squeeze from above the chocolate to get a consistent drizzle, guiding the bottom of the bag with your other hand.
Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars FAQ
Are cranberry bliss bars seasonal?
Unfortunately, yes. You’ll only find cranberry bliss bars at Starbucks during the winter holiday season.
However, with this easy recipe, you can make them right at home and enjoy copycat cranberry bliss bars all year round!
Can I make bliss bars with a different fruit?
You bet! Swap the cranberries for dried blueberries, then replace the orange juice with lemon instead.
How do you slice bliss bars into triangles?
First, lift the dessert out of the pan and transfer it to a cutting board — this is why we used parchment paper!
Slice lengthwise into 3 strips, then rotate and cut across to make squares.
Finally, slice each square diagonally to make two triangles, just like the cranberry bliss bars at Starbucks!
Storing Leftover Homemade Bliss Bars
Once cooled and frosted, transfer bars to an airtight container with a piece of parchment between each layer.
Keep cranberry bliss bars in the refrigerator and enjoy within 5 days.
You can also freeze Starbucks cranberry bliss bars! Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for about an hour, until firm.
Then, stack between layers of parchment in a freezer-safe container or storage bag. Store for up to 3 months and thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy Bar Recipes
Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copycat)
Donna Elick
Cranberry Bliss Bars are a staple Starbucks bakery treat — for good reason. Enjoy them year round with this easy copycat bliss bars recipe!
5 stars from 4 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Method Oven
Servings 8
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 5 ounce bag sweetened dried cranberries
- 12 ounce bag white chocolate chips, divided
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8″x8″ baking pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
Place butter in a large microwave safe bowl, microwave to melt butter. Add sugar to melted butter, beat with an electric mixer. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until well combined.
Add salt, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and ginger. Mix until just combined. Do not over mix or the bars will be tough. Fold in 3/4 cup cranberries and 3/4 cup white chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake for 20-22 minutes until the center is set.
Meanwhile melt remaining white chocolate in a small microwave safe bowl. Set aside. Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar and orange juice in a medium size bowl. Beat until combined. Pour in half of white chocolate, reserve the remaining chocolate. Beat to combine. Set aside.
Remove bars from oven and place on a cooling rack.
Frost bars with cream cheese frosting. Sprinkle with remaining cranberries. Drizzle with reserved melted white chocolate.
Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 678cal | Carbohydrates: 95g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 281mg | Sugar: 80g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 146mg | Iron: 1mg
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Originally published September 2013, updated and republished September 2023
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