Cranberry Bliss Bars Starbucks

Cranberry Bliss Bars Starbucks copycat is the ultimate festive dessert—soft blondie bars infused with white chocolate chunks and dried cranberries, topped with a tangy orange cream cheese frosting and a white chocolate drizzle. These bars taste just like the ones you wait all year for at Starbucks—but now, you can make them anytime from the comfort of your kitchen.

Perfect for holiday cookie platters, office parties, or edible gifting, these bars are easy to make, slice beautifully, and stay soft for days. Trust us: once you make these at home, you may never buy them again.

💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

this recipe

• Starbucks-level flavor — Sweet, tangy, spiced, and creamy
• Simple to bake — One bowl for the blondies, one for frosting
• Festive and beautiful — A showstopper for any holiday tray
• Make-ahead friendly — Bars stay soft and delicious for days
• Better than store-bought — Fresher, richer, and more customizable

🛒 Ingredients

For the Blondie Base:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 1½ cups light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp orange extract (optional but recommended)
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup white chocolate chips
• ¾ cup dried cranberries

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp orange zest or ¼ tsp orange extract

For the Topping:

• ⅓ cup dried cranberries, chopped
• ½ cup white chocolate chips, melted for drizzling

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Blondie Base

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, and orange extract.
3. Stir in ginger, salt, and flour until just combined.
4. Fold in white chocolate chips and cranberries.
5. Spread into prepared pan and smooth the top.
6. Bake 22–25 minutes, or until edges are golden and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
7. Cool completely in the pan before frosting.

Step 2: Prepare the Frosting

1. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and orange zest or extract. Beat until fluffy.

Step 3: Decorate & Slice

1. Spread frosting over cooled blondie layer.
2. Sprinkle with chopped cranberries.
3. Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top using a fork or piping bag.
4. Chill 15–30 minutes before slicing into triangles or bars.

🧁 Pro Tips for Success

• Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner cuts.
• Don’t overbake – the center should look just set for a fudgy texture.
• Cool completely before frosting or the topping will melt.
• Add orange zest to both the batter and frosting for a citrusy Starbucks dupe.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Slice into traditional triangles for that Starbucks-style look
• Serve cold or at room temp
• Great with coffee or holiday cocktails
• Add to a holiday cookie box or wrap in cellophane for gifting

🧊 Storage Tips

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days
• Freeze unfrosted blondie layer for up to 2 months, then thaw and frost when ready

🔢 Nutrition Info (Approx. per bar, based on 24 servings)

• Calories: 290
• Fat: 14g
• Sugar: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Protein: 2g

❓ FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries?

No, dried cranberries are essential for the chewy texture and sweet-tart flavor balance.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute and watch bake time carefully.

Can I skip the frosting?

You could—but it’s half the magic! If you prefer lighter toppings, try a powdered sugar glaze instead.

Cranberry Bliss Bars Starbucks

A chewy blondie bar topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, dried cranberries, and white chocolate—just like Starbucks, but even better!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 24 minutes mins

Total Time 44 minutes mins

Servings: 24

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 290

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• **Blondie Base**
• – 1 cup butter melted
• – 1½ cups light brown sugar
• – 2 eggs
• – 1½ tsp vanilla extract
• – ½ tsp orange extract optional
• – ½ tsp ground ginger
• – ½ tsp salt
• – 2 cups all-purpose flour
• – ¾ cup white chocolate chips
• – ¾ cup dried cranberries
• **Frosting**
• – 8 oz cream cheese
• – ½ cup powdered sugar
• – ½ tsp vanilla extract
• – ½ tsp orange zest or ¼ tsp orange extract
• **Topping**
• – ⅓ cup dried cranberries
• – ½ cup white chocolate chips melted

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• – 9×13-inch pan
• Electric mixer
• Parchment paper

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13” pan with parchment.
2. Mix butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and orange extract. Stir in dry ingredients.
3. Fold in cranberries and white chocolate chips. Spread in pan.
4. Bake 22–25 minutes. Cool completely.
5. Beat frosting ingredients until smooth. Spread on cooled bars.
6. Top with chopped cranberries and drizzle melted white chocolate.
7. Chill 15–30 mins, then slice into triangles or squares.

Notes

– Store in fridge up to 5 days
– Freeze blondie base without frosting for up to 2 months
– Add more zest for stronger citrus flavor

🏁 Conclusion

These Cranberry Bliss Bars Starbucks copycats are the ultimate festive treat: rich, sweet, and just the right amount of tangy. With a soft blondie base and a fluffy cream cheese frosting, they’re an irresistible addition to your holiday baking list. Whether you’re baking for gifts, a cookie exchange, or just a cozy night in, this recipe brings a bit of Starbucks cheer straight to your kitchen.