A quick hello and what these bars are
These Cranberry Bliss Bars are a soft, orange-scented blondie topped with cream cheese frosting, white chocolate, and extra Craisins. They taste very close to the Starbucks version and are easy to make for a holiday treat or a sweet snack.
If you like baking and other rich desserts, check this cinnamon rolls recipe for another crowd-pleaser.
Why these cranberry bars are worth baking
You’ll love these bars because they balance tart dried cranberries with sweet white chocolate and tangy cream cheese frosting. They bake fast, slice well, and store in the fridge so you can make them ahead for parties.
How to make The Best Cranberry Bliss Bars | Starbucks Copycat Recipe
Follow these steps and you’ll have bars ready in under an hour.
Ingredients :
Bars:
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1-2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup Craisins
Frosting and Topping:
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup Craisins
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Directions :
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a bowl, mix the melted butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Add eggs, orange zest, and vanilla. Beat until well combined.
- Stir in ground ginger, baking powder, salt, and flour. Mix until just blended — don’t overwork the batter.
- Fold in the white chocolate chips and Craisins.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake 18–22 minutes, until the center is set and the edges are golden. Avoid over-baking to keep the bars soft.
- Cool the pan on a wire rack until the bars are completely cool before frosting.
- For the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Add orange zest and vanilla and mix well.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars. Sprinkle with the extra Craisins and drizzle melted white chocolate over the top using a fork.
- For best results, chill the bars in the refrigerator 30 minutes to an hour to help them set. Slice into triangles and serve.
Note: Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Simple tips for serving these bars
Serve the bars chilled or at cool room temperature. Cut them into triangles or squares—triangles look festive and are how Starbucks serves them. They pair well with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.
For a quick warm twist, place a single bar in the microwave for 8–10 seconds so the white chocolate softens slightly.
Best ways to keep them fresh
Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Helpful tips to get the best result
- Do not over-bake the bars. They should be soft in the center when you take them out.
- Use room-temperature eggs for a smoother batter.
- Zest the orange before juicing so you don’t lose the zest.
- If you need inspiration for other desserts to serve alongside, try this savory-to-sweet mix idea from a hearty chicken recipe or plan your dessert board with different textures from other recipes like this layered pudding dessert.
Small changes you can try
- Swap Craisins for regular dried cranberries if you prefer a less sweet chew.
- Use orange liqueur or a little orange juice instead of part of the zest for a stronger orange flavor.
- Replace white chocolate chips with chopped white chocolate for larger pockets of melted chocolate.
- Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans for crunch.
Estimated nutrition (per bar, 12 servings) — approximate
- Calories: 360
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Sugar: 30 g
(These values are estimates. Exact nutrition will vary with ingredient brands and portion size.)
Family-friendly serving ideas
- Cut smaller squares for a kids’ snack plate with fruit and milk.
- Arrange on a holiday dessert tray with cookies and brownies.
- Pair with fruit and coffee for a weekend brunch spread.
What to serve these bars with
- Brewed coffee or a latte
- Hot tea (black or herbal)
- Cold milk, almond milk, or a creamy hot chocolate
- For brunch, serve alongside yogurt and fresh fruit
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I make the bars without orange zest?
A: Yes. The bars will still be delicious, but they’ll lack the bright citrus note that balances the sweetness.
Q: Can I use fresh cranberries instead of Craisins?
A: Fresh cranberries are very tart and contain water. They will change the texture and may make the bars moister. Dried cranberries or Craisins are best.
Q: Can I freeze these bars?
A: Yes. Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Q: How do I prevent the frosting from being runny?
A: Make sure the cream cheese is well beaten and the bars are completely cool before frosting. Chill after frosting to set it.
Q: Can I make the bars in a smaller pan?
A: You can use an 8×8-inch pan for thicker bars; adjust baking time and check doneness early.
Conclusion
If you want more versions of this copycat, see the detailed recipe on Cranberry Bliss Bars {Starbucks Copycat Recipe} – Belle of the Kitchen, a step-by-step take at Cranberry Bliss Bars {Starbucks Copycat} – i am baker, and another clear guide at Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copycat) – Cooking With Karli. These pages offer extra tips and photos if you want more help or inspiration.
Cranberry Bliss Bars
Ingredients
Bars
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 1.5 cups brown sugar
- 2 pieces eggs Use room-temperature eggs for a smoother batter.
- 1-2 teaspoons orange zest Zest before juicing to avoid losing zest.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white chocolate chips Can swap with chopped white chocolate for larger pockets.
- 0.75 cups Craisins Can substitute with regular dried cranberries.
Frosting and Topping
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.33 cup Craisins
- 0.5 cup white chocolate chips For drizzling on top.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a bowl, mix the melted butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Add eggs, orange zest, and vanilla. Beat until well combined.
- Stir in ground ginger, baking powder, salt, and flour. Mix until just blended — don’t overwork the batter.
- Fold in the white chocolate chips and Craisins.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Baking
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the center is set and the edges are golden.
- Cool the pan on a wire rack until the bars are completely cool before frosting.
Frosting
- For the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add orange zest and vanilla and mix well.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and sprinkle with extra Craisins.
- Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top using a fork.
- For best results, chill the bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour to help them set.
Serving
- Slice into triangles or squares and serve.
