Homemade Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe: Sweet Holiday Joy

White chocolate and tangy cranberries dance together in this decadent Starbucks cranberry bliss bars recipe that captures the essence of holiday indulgence.

Soft, creamy, and bursting with festive flavors, these bars bring bakery-style magic straight to your kitchen.

The beloved coffeehouse treat becomes an irresistible homemade delight with just a few simple ingredients.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet and tart sensations that melt in your mouth.

The creamy white chocolate frosting complements the zesty cranberry pieces, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

Rich, buttery, and utterly delicious, these bars will become your new seasonal obsession.

Bake a batch and watch them disappear faster than snowflakes in sunshine.

Equipment for Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars

• Baking Dish (9×13 inch): Essential for perfectly sized bars with even baking.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy cake removal and clean cutting.
• Electric Mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar to light, fluffy consistency.
• Mixing Bowls: Two needed – one for wet ingredients, another for dry ingredients.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows bars to cool evenly without soggy bottoms.
• Double Boiler or Microwave: Melts white chocolate smoothly.
• Spoon: Perfect for drizzling melted white chocolate decoratively.
• Spatula: Helps spread batter evenly in pan and fold in mix-ins.
• Zester: Grates fresh lemon zest for frosting flavor.
• Sharp Knife: Cuts bars into neat diagonal triangles.

How to Make Starbucks-Style Cranberry Bars

• Oven Preparation

Warm up your kitchen with a toasty 350°F setting. Grab a rectangular baking dish and create a smooth parchment paper liner for effortless cake removal.

• Batter Magic

Whip butter and sugar into a fluffy cloud. Gently introduce vanilla and eggs, creating a silky base. In another bowl, blend dry ingredients, then fold them into the creamy mixture with gentle love.

• Flavor Explosion

Mix in vibrant cranberries, rich chocolate chunks, and spicy ginger pieces. Spread the delightful combination evenly across the pan. Bake until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown, filling your space with irresistible aromas.

• Dreamy Frosting

Blend butter and cream cheese until impossibly smooth. Add zingy lemon zest, vanilla whispers, and a touch of salt. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar until the frosting reaches cloud-like perfection.

• Artistic Finishing

Drizzle melted white chocolate across the cooled cake in elegant swirls. Sprinkle fresh cranberries for a festive pop of color. Slice into beautiful diagonal triangles that scream holiday celebration.

Tips for Perfect Texture and Cream Cheese Topping

• Add orange zest to the batter for a citrusy twist that complements the cranberries and enhances the overall taste profile.
• Prepare the bars up to two days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and moist.
• Toast the chopped cranberries briefly in a dry pan to intensify their flavor and add a subtle caramelized note to the bars.
• Replace cranberries with dried cherries or chopped dried apricots during different times of the year for a unique seasonal variation.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make these bars accessible to those with dietary restrictions while maintaining the same delicious texture.

Serving Bliss Bars at Home or Holidays

• Winter Holiday Platter: Arrange the bliss bars on a festive white ceramic plate with sprigs of fresh rosemary and scattered whole cranberries for a stunning seasonal presentation.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Pair these bars with a warm earl grey tea, serving them on delicate china alongside small silver dessert forks for an elegant touch.
• Gifting Goodness: Package individual bars in clear cellophane bags tied with red and white twine, creating charming homemade holiday gifts for friends and neighbors.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Create a beautiful dessert board featuring the cranberry bliss bars alongside other seasonal treats like mini gingerbread cookies and spiced nuts, offering guests a sweet variety.

How to Keep Cranberry Bliss Bars Fresh

• Smart Storage Strategies: Keep bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor.
• Freezing Fresh Goodness: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen bars stay delectable for 2-3 months, perfect for make-ahead treats.
• Room Temperature Magic: Allow refrigerated bars to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, enhancing their softness and bringing out rich flavors.
• Prep-Ahead Brilliance: Mix dry ingredients and chop cranberries the night before baking to streamline your morning baking adventure, saving precious time and reducing morning stress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 805 kcal

Servings: 2

Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars Ingredients

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation and helps create tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture for bars.
• Flour: Crucial for creating sturdy, reliable base that holds all ingredients together.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness and helps maintain moisture in the bar.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients, provides structure, and contributes to smooth, cohesive texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic undertone that elevates overall dessert complexity.
• Cream Cheese: Delivers tangy richness and luxurious smoothness to the bar's flavor profile.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy note that cuts through sweetness and adds refreshing dimension.

• Dried Cranberries: Offers tart burst of flavor and creates beautiful color contrast.
• White Chocolate: Provides elegant drizzle and sweet, creamy finishing touch.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy frosting that decorates and sweetens the bars.

Delectable Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Starbucks cranberry bliss bars blend white chocolate, cream cheese, and cranberry flavors in a festive dessert. Homemade bars offer a delightful twist you can savor without visiting a coffee shop.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (227 g/8 oz) butter (softened)
• 1 ¼ cup (275 g/9.7 oz) packed brown sugar
• 1 ¼ cups (156 g/5.5 oz) flour
• 3 eggs
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese (softened)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Grated lemon zest
• 2 tbsps (28 g/1 oz) butter (softened)
• 3 tbsps dried cranberries (rough chopped)
• ¼ cup (43 g/1.5 oz) white chocolate
• 10 tsps (25 g/0.9 oz) powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) with rack centered. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, creating an overhang for easy removal.
2. Batter Creation: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract, then add eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly after each addition. Sift together flour, ground ginger, and salt in a separate bowl, then gently fold into wet ingredients until just combined.
3. Incorporation: Fold dried cranberries, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and crystallized ginger into the batter, ensuring even distribution. Transfer mixture to prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly.
4. Baking Process: Bake for 28-32 minutes until edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with minimal crumbs. Cool completely on a wire rack for 45-60 minutes.
5. Frosting Development: Whip cream cheese and butter until smooth. Blend in lemon zest, vanilla extract, and salt. Gradually add powdered sugar until frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
6. Finishing Touches: Spread cream cheese frosting evenly across cooled cake. Melt white chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, drizzling decoratively over the surface.
7. Serving Preparation: Chill for 15-20 minutes to set frosting and drizzle. Remove from pan using parchment paper edges and slice into elegant triangular bars.

Notes

• Ingredient Temperature Matters: Ensure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for smooth, lump-free mixing and better incorporation.
• Avoid Overmixing Batter: Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense bars with a rubbery texture.
• Check Baking Doneness Carefully: Look for golden edges and a toothpick with minimal crumbs to prevent overbaking, which can dry out the bars.
• Chill for Clean Cutting: Refrigerate bars before slicing to achieve crisp, clean-edged triangular pieces that hold their shape perfectly.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 805
• Sugar: 63 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 41 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 93 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 155 mg