Homemade Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars

Homemade Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars are chewy, buttery dessert bars topped with creamy white chocolate frosting, sweet dried cranberries, and a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Just like the seasonal favorite at Starbucks—but even better and available year-round. I love making a batch of these for the holidays or anytime I want a bakery-style treat at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it captures all the sweet, tangy, and creamy layers of the original Cranberry Bliss Bars—but they’re fresher, more flavorful, and made entirely from scratch. The blondie base is rich with vanilla and orange zest, and the tangy cream cheese frosting complements the chewy dried cranberries perfectly. It’s a festive and impressive treat that’s surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the bars:

• Unsalted butter (melted)

• Brown sugar

• Eggs

• Vanilla extract

• Orange zest

• All-purpose flour

• Baking powder

• Salt

• Ground ginger

• White chocolate chips

• Dried cranberries (chopped)

For the frosting:

• Cream cheese (softened)

• Powdered sugar

• Vanilla extract

• White chocolate (melted and slightly cooled)

• Dried cranberries (for topping)

• Optional: more orange zest for garnish

Directions

1. I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, I whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.

3. I beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest.

4. I stir in the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground ginger just until combined.

5. I fold in the white chocolate chips and chopped dried cranberries.

6. I spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and set. I let it cool completely.

7. For the frosting, I beat the cream cheese until smooth, then mix in powdered sugar and vanilla.

8. I spread the frosting over the cooled bars and top with chopped cranberries and optional orange zest.

9. I drizzle melted white chocolate over the top and chill the bars for at least 30 minutes before slicing into triangles.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 20 triangle-shaped bars and takes around 1 hour total—15 minutes to prep, 25 minutes to bake, and additional time to cool and frost.

Variations

Sometimes I add a bit of orange juice to the frosting for extra citrus flavor. For a richer base, I’ve used a mix of white and dark chocolate chips. If I want a gluten-free version, I use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and it turns out just as chewy and delicious.

Storage/Reheating

I store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They’re best served slightly chilled or at room temperature. They also freeze well—I separate layers with parchment paper and thaw in the fridge overnight.

FAQs

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, I often make them a day in advance. The flavors actually deepen after sitting overnight in the fridge.

Do I need to use orange zest?

I highly recommend it—it adds that signature citrus note found in the original. But I’ve skipped it before, and they’re still delicious.

Can I use white chocolate chips for the drizzle?

Yes. I melt about ¼ cup of white chocolate chips with a tiny bit of oil for a smoother drizzle.

Are these bars overly sweet?

They are sweet, but the cream cheese frosting balances it. I sometimes reduce the sugar in the base slightly if I want them a bit less rich.

Can I cut them into squares instead of triangles?

Absolutely. I usually cut into squares for easier serving, but triangles give them that classic coffee shop look.

Conclusion

Homemade Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars are one of my favorite treats to make when I want something festive, chewy, and bursting with flavor. The tangy cream cheese, sweet cranberries, and rich white chocolate come together in the perfect bite. Whether I’m baking for the holidays, gifting, or treating myself, these bars always bring a little bliss to my day.

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