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
