Cranberry Bliss Bars: Starbucks Copycat Recipe
I’m obsessed with these Cranberry Bliss Bars! They taste just like the ones from Starbucks. Every Christmas, I make a huge batch. The tangy cranberries mix with sweet white chocolate. It’s pure magic! The cream cheese frosting on top? SO GOOD!
My kids ask for these all season long. The orange zest adds a fresh, bright flavor. You won’t believe how easy they are to make. Trust me, these Cranberry Bliss Bars will become your new holiday favorite.
Everyone thinks I spent hours making them. But honestly, they’re super simple! Perfect for parties, gifts, or just because you deserve a treat.
Want more cranberry goodies? Check out Cranberry Orange Bread and Orange Cranberry Cookies. You’ll also love my Cranberry Pound Cake with Orange Glaze.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These bars use simple ingredients you probably have at home. Look at the recipe card below for all the amounts.
- All-Purpose Flour: This gives your bars structure, so they hold together nicely and soft.
- Dried Cranberries: Little bursts of tangy sweetness that taste like Christmas in every bite.
- White Chocolate Chips: Sweet and creamy. They melt right into the bars for extra yumminess.
- Cream Cheese: Makes the frosting rich and tangy. It balances all the sweetness perfectly.
- Orange Zest: Fresh citrus flavor that makes the cranberries taste even better and brighter.
- Ground Ginger: Warm and cozy spice. It gives these bars that holiday feeling we love.
- Unsalted Butter: Keeps everything moist and delicious. Plus, you control how much salt goes in.
How to Make Cranberry Bliss Bars
Ready to bake? These bars are easier than you think! Just follow along, and you’ll have amazing treats in no time.
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line your pan with parchment paper. Let some hang over the sides. This makes it super easy to lift the bars out later. Give it a quick spray too!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk together 2 cups flour, 1½ teaspoons ginger, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon baking powder. Set this bowl aside. You’ll need it in a minute when we mix everything together!
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat ½ cup soft butter with ¾ cup sugar for 3 minutes. It should look light and fluffy. This step makes your bars super soft! Then add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix it all up.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Slowly add your flour mixture to the butter bowl. Stir just until you don’t see any dry flour. Don’t mix too much! Now fold in 1 tablespoon orange zest, ¾ cup cranberries, and ½ cup white chocolate chips.
Step 5: Bake the Bars
Spread the batter in your pan. Make it even on top. Bake for 18-22 minutes. The edges should be golden brown. A toothpick should come out with just a few crumbs. That’s perfect!
Step 6: Cool Completely
Take the pan out and let it cool on a rack for at least 1 hour. I know it’s hard to wait! But if you frost warm bars, the frosting will melt everywhere. Nobody wants that mess!
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat 4 ounces soft cream cheese with 2 tablespoons butter until it’s super smooth. Add 1½ cups powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon orange zest. Keep mixing until it’s light and fluffy. Yum!
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Spread frosting all over your cooled bars. Use a spatula to make it smooth. Melt 2 tablespoons of white chocolate chips and drizzle on top. Sprinkle some chopped cranberries and orange zest over everything. So pretty!
Step 9: Cut and Serve
Pop them in the fridge for 15 minutes. This sets the frosting nicely. Lift the whole thing out using the parchment paper. Cut into 24 squares. Wipe your knife between cuts. Now ENJOY!
Tips for the Best Cranberry Bliss Bars
- Use room temperature ingredients so everything mixes together smoothly. Cold butter and cream cheese don’t blend well at all!
- Don’t overbake them or they’ll be dry and sad. Slightly underdone is way better than too done. Trust me on this!
- Chop cranberries small so they spread out evenly. Big chunks can make some bars too tart or too sweet in spots.
- Let bars cool all the way before you frost them. I know you’re excited! But warm bars equal melted frosting disaster.
- Keep them in the fridge so the frosting stays nice and firm. They’ll stay fresh for days this way, too!
Variations and Substitutions
Want to change things up? These bars are really flexible! You can make them your own way.
- White chocolate substitute: Try regular chocolate chips or butterscotch chips instead. Both taste amazing and give you something different!
- Cranberry alternatives: Swap in dried cherries, blueberries, or chopped apricots. Use what you have or what you love most!
- Gluten-free version: Use gluten-free flour instead. The 1:1 kind works perfectly. Your gluten-free friends will thank you!
- Dairy-free option: Get vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese. Now everyone at your party can enjoy these treats!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yep! They stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just keep them in a sealed container. Perfect for busy holiday prep!
How do I store Cranberry Bliss Bars?
Put them in a container with a tight lid. Keep it in the fridge. Put parchment paper between layers so they don’t stick together.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes! Freeze them without frosting for up to 3 months. Wrap them really well. Thaw and frost them when you’re ready to eat!
Why are my bars too dry?
You probably baked them too long. Check them at 18 minutes next time. They should look slightly underdone in the middle. They keep cooking as they cool!
Can I use fresh cranberries instead?
Stick with dried cranberries for this recipe. Fresh ones have too much water. They’ll make your bars soggy and wet. Not good!
How do I get clean cuts?
Chill the frosted bars for 30 minutes first. Use a sharp knife. Wipe it clean after each cut. You’ll get perfect squares every time!
Can I double this recipe?
Sure can! Just double everything. Use two pans or one big sheet pan. You might need a few extra minutes for baking time.
Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ¾ cup dried cranberries, chopped
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
For the Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
For Topping:
- 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips, melted
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries, chopped
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line pan with parchment paper leaving overhang on the sides.
- Whisk flour, ginger, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl until it’s all mixed up.
- Beat butter and sugar with a mixer for 3 minutes until it looks light and super fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla to the butter mix and beat until everything is smooth and combined.
- Slowly mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until you don’t see any dry flour left.
- Fold in orange zest, chopped cranberries, and white chocolate chips gently until they’re spread out evenly.
- Spread batter in prepared pan evenly and bake for 18 to 22 minutes until bars are set.
- Cool bars in a pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before you do anything else.
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, then add powdered sugar and orange zest and mix.
- Spread frosting over cooled bars using a spatula to make it smooth and even on top.
- Drizzle melted white chocolate over the frosting and sprinkle cranberries and orange zest on top for decoration.
- Put in fridge for 15 minutes to set frosting, then lift out and cut into 24 squares.
Notes
- Room temperature ingredients mix way better and make your bars and frosting turn out super smooth.
- Slightly underbaked bars stay moist and soft, while overbaked bars get dry and crumbly instead of nice.
- Chop cranberries small, so they go everywhere evenly and don’t all sink to the bottom of the pan.
- Full cooling stops frosting from melting and sliding right off, so your bars look pretty and perfect.
- Store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 5 days to keep them fresh and safe.
