Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copycat)
There’s something about those first crisp mornings of fall that warms the heart and uplifts the spirit. The leaves blur into golden hues, and the days become wrapped in a comforting embrace of fresh apple cider and cozy sweaters. During these enchanting times, I can’t help but reminisce about my favorite place to savor a delicate, sweet bite – Starbucks. Their Cranberry Bliss Bars were always my go-to treat, capturing the essence of the season with tangy cranberries nestled in a tender blondie base. Today, I’m excited to share a recipe that brings all those warm memories into your kitchen with my homemade version of these delightful treats.
These Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copycat) are the perfect creamy fall dessert to celebrate with friends and family. They’re easy to create and even easier to love, making them a must-try this holiday season. So grab a cozy blanket, some warm tea, and let’s get baking! This is one you’ll definitely want to pin for later!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy and Indulgent: These bars feature a luxuriously creamy frosting layered over a tender, golden blondie base.
- Zesty and Flavorful: The bright notes of orange zest combined with the deliciously tart cranberries create an irresistible flavor harmony.
- Easy to Make: With straightforward steps, you can create delicious, bakery-quality treats right from your kitchen.
- Perfect for Holiday Giving: Wrapped up in pretty parchment, they make fantastic gifts for friends, family, or teachers.
- Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Whether for a Holiday gathering or a cozy family night, everyone will want a second (or third) piece!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copycat)
For the Blondie:
- 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour (7.5oz, 213g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (3g)
- ½ teaspoon table salt (3g)
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (6oz, 170g)
- 1½ cups packed light brown sugar (10.5 oz, 298g)
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (3g)
- ¾ cup dried cranberries (loosely packed, 3.5oz, 100g)
- 1⅓ cups white chocolate (chopped or white chocolate chips, 8oz, 227g)
For the Frosting:
- 1⅔ cups white chocolate (melted, 10oz, 283g)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened, 227g)
- 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted, 6oz, 170g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (3g)
For the Topping:
- ½ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (loosely packed, 2.3oz, 65g)
- ⅔ cup white chocolate (melted, 4oz,113g)
Let’s Make It Together
Prepare the Blondie: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy lifting.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the unsalted butter with the packed light brown sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Add Eggs and Flavor: Beat in the lightly beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and finely grated orange zest. Combine until just mixed.
Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until combined. Gently fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Bake for about 24-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.
Make the Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, melted white chocolate, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and finely grated orange zest until smooth and creamy.
Frost the Bars: Once the blondie layer is cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
Add Toppings: Sprinkle the roughly chopped dried cranberries over the frosting, and drizzle with melted white chocolate for an extra touch of sweetness.
Chill and Slice: Refrigerate the bars for at least 1 hour to set the frosting. Once set, lift them from the pan using the parchment paper edges and slice into squares.
Delicious Variations to Try
- Nutty Twist: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a delightful crunch and extra flavor.
- Switch Up the Fruit: Use dried cherries or apricots for a sweet and tangy alternative.
- Spice It Up: Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the blondie batter for a warm, spicy twist perfect for fall.
- Chocolate Lovers Delight: Incorporate mini chocolate chips into the batter for a rich chocolate experience alongside the white chocolate.
Chef Emma’s Helpful Tips
- Make-Ahead: These bars can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator, making them perfect for Holiday entertaining.
- Slicing Tips: For neat slices, run your knife under hot water and wipe it dry before cutting.
- Storage: Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week to keep them fresh and delicious.
- Ingredient Swaps: If you need a dairy-free version, substitute the cream cheese with your favorite vegan cream cheese alternative.
Nutrition Information per Serving
- Serving Size: 1 bar (based on 24 servings)
- Calories: 250
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Sugar: 20g
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 100mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this ahead? Yes! These bars can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Can I use different ingredients? Definitely! Feel free to substitute dried cranberries with cherries or pecans if desired.
- How do I store leftovers? Keep leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
- How long does it last? When stored properly, these bars will stay fresh for about one week.
A Cozy Closing Note
This homemade version of Cranberry Bliss Bars is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of flavors that embrace the warmth of the holidays and the joy of sharing special moments with loved ones. Every bite is a reminder that the simplest pleasures in life can bring us together. So go ahead, save this Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copycat) to your dessert board so it’s ready when you need a cozy treat! Happy baking, and may your kitchen be filled with warmth and love!
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Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copycat)
- Total Time: 48 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these creamy and zesty Cranberry Bliss Bars, featuring a tender blondie base topped with a luxurious cream cheese frosting, perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour (7.5oz, 213g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (3g)
- ½ teaspoon table salt (3g)
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (6oz, 170g)
- 1½ cups packed light brown sugar (10.5oz, 298g)
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (3g)
- ¾ cup dried cranberries (loosely packed, 3.5oz, 100g)
- 1⅓ cups white chocolate (chopped or white chocolate chips, 8oz, 227g)
- 1⅔ cups white chocolate (melted, 10oz, 283g)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened, 227g)
- 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted, 6oz, 170g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (3g)
- ½ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (loosely packed, 2.3oz, 65g)
- ⅔ cup white chocolate (melted, 4oz, 113g)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy lifting.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the unsalted butter with the packed light brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the lightly beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and finely grated orange zest until just mixed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until combined. Gently fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Bake for about 24-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.
- In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, melted white chocolate, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and finely grated orange zest until smooth and creamy.
- Once the blondie layer is cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle the roughly chopped dried cranberries over the frosting, and drizzle with melted white chocolate for an extra touch of sweetness.
- Refrigerate the bars for at least 1 hour to set the frosting. Once set, lift them from the pan using the parchment paper edges and slice into squares.
Notes
These bars can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator, making them perfect for Holiday entertaining. For neat slices, run your knife under hot water and wipe it dry before cutting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Cranberry Bliss Bars, Holiday Dessert, Starbucks Copycat