Description
Recreate Starbucks’ iconic Cranberry Bliss Bars at home with this detailed, step-by-step guide. Featuring buttery blondies, tangy cranberries, and rich cream cheese frosting, this copycat recipe delivers café-quality results perfect for holidays or any time of year.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Blondies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp grated orange zest or 1 tsp orange extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- ¾–1 cup dried cranberries
- For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp orange extract or zest
- For the Topping:
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips (or 4 oz white baking bar)
- ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 6–7 drops vegetable oil
- Additional orange zest for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 15×10-inch or 13×9-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- Cream butter and brown sugar together with an electric mixer for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well, then add vanilla extract and orange zest. Mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, ginger, and salt.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Fold in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries by hand.
- Spread batter evenly in prepared pan and bake for 18–22 minutes or until edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- To make frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and orange zest, mixing until spreadable.
- Spread frosting over cooled bars and chill for 1 hour.
- Melt white chocolate chips in 30-second microwave intervals, stirring between each. Add vegetable oil for smooth drizzling.
- Drizzle white chocolate over frosting, then sprinkle chopped cranberries and orange zest.
- Allow chocolate to set for 15 minutes before cutting into bars. Wipe knife between cuts for clean edges.
Notes
For best flavor, use high-quality white chocolate and don’t overbake. Always cool completely before frosting. Cornstarch ensures a soft, tender crumb that mimics Starbucks’ signature texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18–22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: cranberry bliss bars, starbucks copycat, holiday dessert, blondies, cream cheese frosting