Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Introduction

These copycat Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful treat, combining chewy blondie base with tangy dried cranberries and rich white chocolate. Topped with a creamy orange-cream cheese frosting and drizzled with white chocolate, they bring holiday flavors to your home baking.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (7.5 oz)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 12 tbsp unsalted butter (6 oz)
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar (10.5 oz)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp grated orange zest
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries (3.5 oz, loosely packed)
• 1 1/3 cups white chocolate, chopped or chips (8 oz)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted (6 oz)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest, finely grated
• 2/3 cup white chocolate, melted (4 oz)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (2.3 oz, loosely packed)
• 1 2/3 cups white chocolate, melted (10 oz)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the oven rack in the middle position. Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on both sides, then spray the parchment paper again.
2. Step 2: In a light-colored saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir frequently as it cooks until the butter foams and the milk solids turn golden brown. Remove from heat immediately and pour the browned butter into a bowl, scraping in the browned bits. Let it cool completely.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, combine the cooled browned butter and light brown sugar, whisking until well blended. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest, stirring until smooth.
4. Step 4: Fold the dry ingredients gently into the wet mixture until just combined. Then fold in the white chocolate and dried cranberries. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top.
5. Step 5: Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until edges are golden and top is set. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature before frosting.
6. Step 6: Beat together cream cheese, sifted confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and finely grated orange zest until fluffy and smooth.
7. Step 7: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Optionally chill for 10 minutes to firm the frosting before decorating.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle the roughly chopped dried cranberries evenly over the frosting. Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top using a spoon or a small bag with a snipped corner for precision.
9. Step 9: Refrigerate until frosting and chocolate drizzle are firm, then use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out. Cut into triangles or desired shapes and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For deeper flavor, don’t skip browning the butter—it adds a nutty richness to the blondie base.
• If you prefer, substitute dried cranberries with dried cherries or raisins for a different fruity note.
• Use high-quality white chocolate for the best melt and flavor in both the batter and drizzle.
• Chill the bars before slicing to get clean edges and prevent the frosting from smudging.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow them to come to room temperature or warm slightly before serving for the best texture. You can also freeze the bars for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge overnight and bring back to room temperature before enjoying.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars without browning the butter?

Yes, you can use melted butter instead, but browning it adds a rich, nutty flavor that elevates the bars significantly.

Can these bars be made gluten-free?

To make gluten-free bars, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup and contains xanthan gum for structure.

Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 95 reviews

These Tasty Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful combination of soft, buttery blondies loaded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks, topped with a creamy orange-cream cheese frosting, chopped cranberries, and a white chocolate drizzle. Perfectly sweet and tangy with a luxurious texture, these bars make an irresistible treat for any occasion.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Blondie Base

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (7.5 oz)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 12 tbsp unsalted butter (6 oz)
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar (10.5 oz)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp grated orange zest
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries (3.5 oz, loosely packed)
• 1 1/3 cups white chocolate, chopped or chips (8 oz)

Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted (6 oz)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest, finely grated

Toppings

• 2/3 cup white chocolate, melted (4 oz)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (2.3 oz, loosely packed)
• 1 2/3 cups white chocolate, melted (10 oz)

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking pan and preheat oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the oven rack in the middle. Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and line the bottom with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Spray the parchment again to prevent sticking.
2. Browns the butter. In a light-colored saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir frequently as it foams and the milk solids at the bottom turn golden brown. Once browned, remove from heat and pour into a bowl, scraping all flavorful bits. Let cool completely.
3. Mix dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.
4. Combine wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk the cooled browned butter and light brown sugar until well blended. Add the lightly beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest; stir until smooth.
5. Combine wet and dry mixtures. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula until just combined. Fold in the white chocolate chunks and dried cranberries carefully without overmixing.
6. Bake the blondies. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the top is set. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
7. Prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, sifted confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and finely grated orange zest until fluffy and smooth.
8. Frost the blondies. Once the bars are fully cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Optional: chill for 10 minutes to firm up the frosting for easier decorating.
9. Decorate toppings. Sprinkle the roughly chopped dried cranberries evenly over the frosted surface. Drizzle melted white chocolate in a decorative pattern using a snipped corner of a zip-top bag or spoon.
10. Chill and serve. Refrigerate until the frosting and chocolate drizzle are firm and set for neat slicing. Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Cut into triangles or desired shapes and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Browning the butter adds a deep, nutty flavor that enhances the blondies.
• Line your pan with parchment paper with overhang for easy removal.
• Do not overmix the batter to keep the blondies soft and tender.
• Chilling the frosting before decorating helps achieve clean, neat designs.
• Store bars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
• For a richer orange flavor, add extra orange zest to the frosting if desired.

Keywords: Starbucks copycat, cranberry bliss bars, white chocolate bars, cranberry dessert, blondies, orange cream cheese frosting, holiday treats