If you’ve ever swooned over the festive flavors of Starbucks during the holidays, you’re in for a real treat with the Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars (Copycat Recipe) Recipe. This homemade version captures everything you love about those iconic cranberry white chocolate blondies, then cranks it up with luscious orange cream cheese frosting and a snowy drizzle of white chocolate. Whether you’re planning a holiday gathering or just want to indulge in a slice of seasonal magic at home, these bars are the perfect, cozy dessert to brighten any day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t let the list intimidate you; these ingredients are delightfully simple yet essential. Each brings its own charm — from the tender flour base and warm spices to the tangy cranberries and creamy frosting — creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy but tender foundation for the blondie texture.
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder: Adds just enough lift for a light crumb without being cakey.
- ¼ tsp salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the richness.
- ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon: Offers a warm, subtle spice that deepens the holiday vibe.
- Scant ⅛ tsp ground cloves: Adds a whisper of festive spice complexity.
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) salted butter, cubed: Key for a rich, buttery blondie chew.
- 1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar: Brings caramel undertones and moisture to the bars.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together with the perfect tenderness.
- ¾ tsp vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors with comforting warmth.
- ½ cup dried cranberries: Bursts of tartness that contrast beautifully with the sweet blondie.
- 6 oz white chocolate, coarsely chopped or chips: Melts into creamy pockets of sweetness throughout the blondie.
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened: Creates the luscious, tangy base for the frosting.
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted: Sweetens and smooths the frosting perfectly.
- ½ tsp grated orange zest: Adds fresh citrus brightness, elevating the frosting beyond ordinary.
- 4 oz white chocolate, melted: For the stylish and delicious drizzle topping.
- ½ cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped: Sprinkled on top to add texture and festive flair.
How to Make Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars (Copycat Recipe) Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by heating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×11-inch baking pan. This ensures your bars will come out cleanly without sticking and sets the stage for baking perfection.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cloves in a medium bowl. This blend of dry ingredients builds the flavorful structure for your blondies, giving them both rise and warmth from those cozy spices.
Step 3: Make the Blondie Batter
Melt your butter and mix in the brown sugar until smooth and well combined, then let this cool to room temperature — patience here prevents scrambling the eggs in the next step! Transfer this mixture to a stand mixer and beat in eggs and vanilla on medium speed until just incorporated.
Slowly add the dry ingredients on low speed until no traces of flour remain, forming a thick, rich batter. Finally, fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks, dispersing them evenly for little pockets of surprise in every bite.
Step 4: Bake Your Blondie Base
Pour the thick batter into your prepared pan and gently use your hands to spread it evenly without pressing down too firmly — you want to keep that tender crumb. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, just until the edges begin to take on a pale golden hue, creating that perfect chewy yet tender texture.
Step 5: Prepare the Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
While your blondies cool completely, whisk the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together in your mixer until smooth—about 30 seconds is all it takes. Stir in the grated orange zest for that irresistible citrus tang that sets this frosting apart from any other.
Step 6: Assemble and Decorate Your Bars
When the blondies are fully cool, transfer them to a cutting board and spread the frosting evenly over the entire surface. Don’t be shy—go right to the edges. Sprinkle the chopped cranberries on top, then drizzle with the melted white chocolate for a drizzle that looks as delicious as it tastes.
Pop the whole slab into the fridge for 30 minutes to let that frosting set and meld all the flavors together before slicing.
Step 7: Slice and Serve
Cut into thirds lengthwise and then into four squares per section. Finally, slice diagonally into triangles — these bars are perfect bite-sized pieces that look gorgeous on a holiday platter!
How to Serve Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars (Copycat Recipe) Recipe
Garnishes
For a special touch, try a few extra dried cranberries or a sprinkle of finely grated orange zest on top just before serving. It adds a fresh pop of color and an inviting aroma that makes these bars impossible to resist.
Side Dishes
Pair these bars with a cup of your favorite hot coffee or spiced tea to bring out their warm spice notes. They also complement a light vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if you’re serving dessert after a festive meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the triangles artistically on a holiday platter or place them in a clear glass jar as a thoughtful homemade gift. Wrapping each bar individually with a small ribbon adds a charming touch for parties or cookie exchanges.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars (Copycat Recipe) Recipe bars stay fresh longer when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, maintaining their creamy frosting and moist blondie base for up to 4 days. That makes them perfect for preparing ahead of your holiday festivities.
Freezing
If you want to keep these bars for even longer, they freeze beautifully. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container up to 2 months. When you’re ready for a treat, thaw overnight in the fridge to keep that luscious frosting intact.
Reheating
To enjoy your bars slightly warmed, let them sit at room temperature for a bit or zap them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This softens the white chocolate drizzle and wakes up the fruity flavors without losing their delightful texture.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Fresh cranberries are more tart and watery, which can affect the texture of the blondies. Dried cranberries give you that perfect chewy tartness and maintain the integrity of the bars, so it’s best to stick with dried for this recipe.
What’s the best way to soften cream cheese quickly?
Leave the cream cheese out at room temperature for about an hour before making frosting. If you’re short on time, microwave it in short 10-second bursts until soft but not melted.
Can I substitute the white chocolate for dark chocolate?
Absolutely! Dark chocolate will lend a more intense flavor and reduce the overall sweetness, which some may prefer. Just be aware it changes the classic cranberry-white chocolate pairing that makes these bars so special.
Is it okay to make the bars without frosting?
You could skip the frosting, but the orange cream cheese topping is what truly makes this Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars (Copycat Recipe) Recipe shine. It balances the sweetness and adds a tangy brightness that’s hard to resist.
How do I cut the bars without the frosting cracking?
Chill the bars well before slicing and use a sharp knife, wiping it clean after each cut. This helps keep your edges neat and prevents the frosting from tearing or cracking.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you make the Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars (Copycat Recipe) Recipe at home, you’ll wonder why you ever bought them from the store. They’re full of warm, holiday flavors with a perfect creamy frosting that feels like a festive hug in every bite. So gather your ingredients, invite some friends over, and enjoy baking this seasonal classic that’s sure to become your new favorite tradition.
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Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars (Copycat Recipe) Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 19 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings (triangular bars)
Description
Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars are an irresistible homemade copycat of the famous Starbucks treat. These bars feature a rich white chocolate cranberry blondie base topped with a tangy orange cream cheese frosting, dried cranberries, and a decadent white chocolate drizzle. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any festive occasion, these bars combine buttery, fruity, and creamy flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Blondies
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
- Scant ⅛ tsp ground cloves
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) salted butter, cubed
- 1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 6 oz white chocolate, coarsely chopped (or 8 oz chips)
Frosting
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- ½ tsp grated orange zest
- 4 oz white chocolate, melted
- ½ cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking pan: Preheat your oven to 350° F. Lightly grease a 9×11-inch baking pan using cooking spray or butter, ensuring it’s ready for the blondie batter.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Make blondie batter: Melt the cubed butter in a saucepan or microwave, then stir in the packed light brown sugar until fully incorporated with the butter. Allow this mixture to cool to room temperature before proceeding.
- Combine wet ingredients: Pour the cooled butter and sugar mixture into a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract on medium speed until well mixed.
- Add dry ingredients: With the mixer on low, slowly incorporate the flour mixture until just combined, resulting in a very thick batter.
- Add cranberries and white chocolate: Gently fold in the dried cranberries and chopped white chocolate to evenly distribute throughout the batter.
- Prepare to bake: Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan. Using your hands, flatten the batter evenly without pressing too hard, ensuring an even layer.
- Bake the blondies: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a faint golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the frosting: In a clean bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and sifted powdered sugar on medium speed until well combined, about 30 seconds. Stir in the grated orange zest quickly.
- Assemble the bars: Remove the cooled blondie slab from the pan and place it on a large cutting board. Evenly spread the cream cheese frosting over the entire surface using an offset spatula, reaching right to the edges.
- Top the bars: Sprinkle the coarsely chopped dried cranberries evenly over the frosting. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the cranberries and frosting in a decorative, free-form manner.
- Chill and set: Transfer the assembled blondies back to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to firm up.
- Cut and serve: Once chilled, cut the blondies lengthwise into thirds, then cut each third into four squares. Cut each square diagonally in half to create triangles. Optionally, cut triangles again to make smaller bars.
- Storage: Store the bars in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for best freshness. They can be served straight from the fridge or warmed to room temperature.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for a smoother frosting texture.
- Be careful not to overbake the blondies; they should be just set and slightly golden at the edges.
- You can substitute white chocolate chips if chopping chocolate is inconvenient.
- For fluffier frosting, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar well but avoid overmixing to prevent it becoming too soft.
- These bars keep best refrigerated but can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
- Allow bars to come to room temperature before serving for optimal flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 19 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
