Cranberry Bliss Bars are a beloved seasonal treat, famous for their irresistible combination of soft, chewy cookie bars, luxurious cream cheese frosting, sweet and tart dried cranberries, and an elegant white chocolate drizzle. This recipe brings the magic of the iconic Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar right into your kitchen, delivering a homemade version that’s arguably even better than the original.

Author’s Notes

Contents

Toggle

After 10 Years, I Finally Nailed This Starbucks Copycat!

My journey to perfect the Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar has been a decade-long quest. Ever since I first tasted these delightful bars while living in Cleveland ten years ago, I’ve been captivated by their unique flavor and texture. My initial attempts at recreating them often resulted in dry, cakey bars that left me deeply disappointed. The elusive balance of chewiness, tartness, and sweet richness seemed impossible to capture.

But after countless experiments and meticulous adjustments, I finally cracked the code. And the honest truth? I genuinely believe my homemade version surpasses Starbucks’ original. The moment I tasted this final recipe – the very one I’m thrilled to share with you today – I knew I had a winner. I immediately snapped a photo and texted it to my sisters, declaring, “This might be a top 5 dessert for me. You HAVE to try these!”

I know, I know, I often say “you HAVE to make this” with every new recipe, and I apologize for the frequency! But seriously, if there’s one thing you bake this season, let it be these Cranberry Bliss Bars. They embody everything wonderful about holiday baking: comfort, festive flavors, and pure joy.

Homemade Cranberry Bliss Bars: Your Ultimate Starbucks Copycat Recipe

Craving that iconic holiday treat from Starbucks? Look no further! Our ultimate Cranberry Bliss Bars recipe delivers a perfect copycat experience, featuring a perfectly chewy blondie base, a luscious cream cheese frosting, bursts of tangy dried cranberries, and a delicate white chocolate drizzle. This detailed guide will walk you through every step, ensuring your homemade bars are a sensation.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cranberry Bliss Bars

Achieving that signature Starbucks flavor requires attention to detail with each ingredient. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Starbucks-Style Cranberry Bliss Bars

Making these Cranberry Bliss Bars is a straightforward process, but following these detailed steps will guarantee a perfect batch every time. From browning the butter to applying the final drizzle, we’ll ensure your bars are nothing short of spectacular.

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, lightly spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper, allowing a generous overhang on two sides. This parchment “sling” will make lifting the baked bars out of the pan incredibly easy.
2. Master the Brown Butter: In a light-colored saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. As it melts, reduce the heat to medium and stir constantly with a silicone spatula. The butter will bubble and foam. Keep a close eye on it; when you notice tiny amber-brown specks at the bottom and a rich, nutty aroma fills your kitchen, immediately remove it from the heat. Pour the browned butter into a heat-proof bowl, scraping all those flavorful brown bits from the pan. Allow it to cool for about 5-10 minutes – it should still be warm but not scorching hot.
3. Craft the Flavorful Dough: To the slightly cooled browned butter, add the packed light brown sugar. Whisk vigorously for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture is well combined and resembles wet, sandy caramel. This step helps create a wonderfully chewy texture. Incorporate the large egg, vanilla extract, orange extract, fresh orange zest, ground ginger, and salt. Whisk briskly until the mixture is light, creamy, and beautifully emulsified – it should look glossy and well blended. Finally, gently fold in the all-purpose flour, white chocolate chips, and dried cranberries using a spatula. Mix just until no dry streaks of flour remain, being careful not to overmix. The dough will be thick and rich.
4. Bake to Golden Perfection: Evenly spread the thick batter into your prepared 8×8-inch pan. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the top. Bake for 25-27 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center of the bar appears set when gently touched. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
5. Cool and Frost: Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. This allows them to firm up slightly. Then, use the parchment overhang to carefully lift the bars out of the pan and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. It is crucial for the bars to be entirely cool before frosting, otherwise, your frosting will melt and slide off.
6. Prepare and Apply the Frosting: While the bars cool, prepare your delightful cream cheese frosting. Ensure your cream cheese is thoroughly softened. If it’s still a bit firm, microwave it in 10-second bursts, stirring between each, until it’s easily workable. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, a touch of orange extract, and vanilla extract until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and lump-free. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is incorporated. Generously spread this velvety frosting over the completely cooled bars.
7. Add the Signature Toppings: Sprinkle the coarsely chopped dried cranberries evenly over the frosted bars. For the white chocolate drizzle, combine the white chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Transfer the melted white chocolate to a small zip-top bag, snip off a tiny corner, and artfully drizzle it back and forth over the bars.
8. Chill, Slice, and Serve: Allow the white chocolate drizzle to set, either at room temperature or by chilling the bars for 15-20 minutes. For clean, precise cuts, chill the frosted bars for at least 30 minutes. Then, run a sharp knife under hot water, wipe it dry, and confidently slice the bars. Cut into 9 equal squares, then cut each square diagonally to create the signature 18 triangle-shaped Cranberry Bliss Bars. Serve and enjoy!

Expert Baking Tips for Cranberry Bliss Bar Success

Even the simplest recipes benefit from a few expert tips. Follow these guidelines to ensure your Cranberry Bliss Bars turn out perfectly irresistible every time:

1. Avoid Overmixing the Dough: Once you add the flour, mix the dough just until no dry streaks remain. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dry bars instead of the desired soft and tender texture. Gentle folding is key.
2. Utilize Room Temperature Ingredients: For both the bar dough and the frosting, ensure your dairy products (butter, egg, cream cheese) are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify and blend smoothly and evenly, creating a consistent texture in both components. Cold ingredients can result in lumpy frosting or a dense, uneven bar.
3. Always Cool Completely Before Frosting: This tip is crucial! Applying frosting to warm bars will cause it to melt and create a messy, unappealing result. Patience is a virtue here; ensure your bars are completely cool to the touch before even thinking about frosting them.
4. Chill Before Slicing for Clean Cuts: For beautifully neat and precise slices, chill the frosted bars in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or even an hour. This firms up both the bar and the frosting. For extra clean cuts, run a sharp knife under hot water, wipe it dry, and make a confident, single cut. Repeat for each slice.
5. Parchment Paper Overhang is Your Friend: Don’t skip lining your pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. This creates a convenient “sling” that allows you to effortlessly lift the entire slab of baked and cooled bars out of the pan. This prevents sticking and makes frosting and slicing much easier.

Cranberry Bliss Bars

By Chelsea Lords

Cranberry Bliss Bars are deliciously chewy cookie bars with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting, bursts of tart dried cranberries, and a delicate white chocolate drizzle – a perfect holiday treat!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 18 bars

Equipment

• 8 x 8-inch baking pan plus parchment paper
• Light-colored saucepan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk and spatula

Ingredients

For the Bars:

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed (use soft/fresh sugar)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• Zest of 1 clementine or mandarin (approx. 1 teaspoon zest)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries (choose soft/fresh ones)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting and Topping:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (full-fat, brick-style)
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Tiny pinch salt
• 3 tablespoons dried sweetened cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 3 tablespoons white chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil (for drizzle)

Instructions

1. Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray an 8×8-inch pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving a generous overhang on two sides to create a “sling” for easy removal later.
2. Brown the Butter: In a light-colored, wide saucepan, melt the 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, reduce the heat to medium and stir constantly with a silicone spatula. The butter will bubble and foam. Continue cooking until it smells nutty and you see golden-brown specks forming at the bottom of the pan. Immediately remove from heat and pour the browned butter into a separate bowl, scraping all the flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes.
3. Mix the Bar Batter: To the slightly cooled browned butter, add the 1 cup of packed light brown sugar. Whisk vigorously for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is well combined and has the consistency of wet sand. Incorporate the large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon orange extract, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk briskly until the mixture is very creamy and emulsified, appearing glossy. Add the 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of white chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup of dried sweetened cranberries. Switch to a spatula and fold the dough gently until no dry streaks of flour remain, being careful not to overmix. The batter will be thick.
4. Bake the Bars: Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared 8×8-inch pan and smooth the top with your spatula. Bake for 25-27 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the top is set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs.
5. Cool the Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes on a wire rack. Then, use the parchment overhang to carefully lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan and transfer them to the wire rack to cool completely. This is crucial; the bars must be fully cool before frosting.
6. Prepare the Frosting: While the bars cool, prepare your cream cheese frosting. Ensure the 4 ounces of cream cheese are thoroughly softened. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon orange extract, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a tiny pinch of salt until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and lump-free. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
7. Frost and Add Cranberries: Once the bars are completely cooled, spread the creamy frosting evenly over the top. Generously sprinkle the 3 tablespoons of coarsely chopped dried sweetened cranberries over the frosting.
8. Make the White Chocolate Drizzle: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the 3 tablespoons of white chocolate chips and 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil. Microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring well after each interval, until the white chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Transfer the melted white chocolate to a small zip-top bag, snip a tiny corner off the bag, and drizzle it artfully over the frosted and cranberry-topped bars.
9. Set and Slice: Allow the white chocolate drizzle to set, either at room temperature or by chilling the bars for 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator. For the cleanest cuts, chill the bars for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Cut the large bar into 9 equal squares, then slice each square diagonally to create 18 beautiful triangle-shaped Cranberry Bliss Bars. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Per serving:

• Serving: 1 bar
• Calories: 236 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0.3g
• Cholesterol: 33mg
• Sodium: 73mg
• Potassium: 71mg
• Fiber: 0.4g
• Sugar: 25g
• Vitamin A: 608IU
• Vitamin C: 0.1mg
• Calcium: 42mg
• Iron: 0.5mg

Mastering the Art of Browned Butter for Deeper Flavor

Browning butter is a simple technique that adds incredible depth and complexity to these Cranberry Bliss Bars. This nutty, caramelized flavor is a game-changer, so it’s a step you absolutely shouldn’t skip. Keep in mind that browned butter yields slightly less than regular melted butter because some moisture evaporates during the cooking process.

1. Choose the Right Pan: Always use a light-colored saucepan for browning butter. The light interior allows you to clearly see the butter’s color transformation, which is crucial for preventing it from burning. Dark pans can obscure these subtle but important visual cues.
2. Cut Butter into Uniform Pieces: For the most even melting and browning, cut your cold butter into small, roughly uniform cubes. This ensures that all the butter melts at a similar rate and browns more consistently, reducing the risk of some pieces burning while others are still melting.
3. Stir Continuously: Once the butter begins to melt, stir it constantly with a heat-resistant spatula. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan regularly. The milk solids in the butter are what brown and settle at the bottom, so constant stirring prevents them from sticking and burning, ensuring an even golden hue.
4. Watch for Color Changes: The butter will first melt into a clear liquid, then begin to foam vigorously. After the foam subsides slightly, you’ll start to see tiny, amber-brown flecks forming at the bottom of the pan. This is your visual cue that the browning process is underway and nearing completion.
5. Trust Your Nose: In addition to visual cues, your sense of smell is an excellent indicator. As the butter transitions from melted to browned, it will develop a rich, distinctly nutty, and toasty aroma, similar to hazelnuts. The moment you detect this fragrant scent, and see those golden-brown bits, it’s ready!
6. Act Quickly: Once the butter reaches the desired nutty aroma and golden-brown color, immediately remove the pan from the heat. Pour the browned butter into a separate, cool bowl. Be sure to scrape every last bit of those browned milk solids from the bottom of the pan, as they are packed with flavor.
7. Allow to Cool: Before incorporating the browned butter into your batter, allow it to cool for a few minutes. It should still be warm and liquid, but not hot enough to scramble the egg or cook other ingredients when mixed. This ensures the perfect texture for your bars.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cranberry Bliss Bars

Got questions about making these incredible Cranberry Bliss Bars? We’ve got answers to some common queries to help you achieve baking perfection!

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

While fresh cranberries offer a different texture and a more intense tartness, this recipe is specifically formulated for dried sweetened cranberries. Fresh cranberries contain much more moisture and can alter the bar’s texture, potentially making it too wet or requiring adjustments to the baking time. If you prefer to experiment, you might need to reduce the amount and chop them finely, or even pre-cook them slightly, but for the true Starbucks copycat experience, stick to dried.

What if I don’t have orange extract? Can I use orange zest only?

Orange extract is key for that distinct, bright flavor found in Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars. While you can certainly use extra orange zest (e.g., 2-3 teaspoons) from a fresh orange, it might not provide the same intense, concentrated orange flavor as the extract. The extract contributes a more pronounced citrus note that cuts through the sweetness beautifully. If you must skip it, the bars will still be delicious with vanilla, but they’ll lack that signature “bliss” element.

My cream cheese frosting is too runny/too thick. What should I do?

If your frosting is too runny, it might be due to overly warm cream cheese or adding too much liquid (though this recipe uses very little liquid). Try chilling the frosting for 15-30 minutes, then beat it again. If it’s still too thin, carefully add another tablespoon or two of powdered sugar until it reaches the desired consistency. If your frosting is too thick, it likely needs more softening of the cream cheese or a tiny splash (1/2 teaspoon at a time) of milk or cream to loosen it up. Always ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps and achieve the perfect texture.

How do I know when the bars are fully baked?

The bars are done when their edges are lightly golden brown and the center appears set. If you gently press the center, it should feel firm to the touch with a slight spring back, not jiggly. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Be careful not to overbake, as this can lead to dry bars.

Can I make these ahead of time for a party or holiday gathering?

Absolutely! Cranberry Bliss Bars are an excellent make-ahead dessert. As detailed in the storage section, you can bake the bars, cool them, and freeze them unfrosted for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight, then prepare and apply the frosting and drizzle on the day of serving for the freshest taste and appearance. If already frosted, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best flavor, bring them to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.

We hope you enjoy making and sharing these delightful homemade Cranberry Bliss Bars. They are truly a treat that captures the festive spirit and brings a touch of bakery-quality indulgence to your home.