Description
These Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful copycat recipe featuring buttery blondie bars studded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, topped with a creamy orange-cream cheese frosting, extra cranberries, and a white chocolate drizzle. Perfect for holiday treats or any time you crave a sweet, tangy, and festive dessert bar.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Blondie Bars:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 & ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 oz white chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
For Topping:
- ¼ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
- 1 oz white chocolate, melted for drizzle
- Extra orange zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and light brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined, about 1 minute.
- Add eggs and flavoring: Whisk in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and orange zest. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon until evenly distributed.
- Fold dry into wet: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Then fold in the chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips evenly.
- Spread batter in pan: Pour and spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the surface with the back of a spatula.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 26 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. The internal temperature should reach 200-202°F.
- Cool bars: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before frosting.
- Prepare frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together with an electric mixer for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add remaining frosting ingredients: Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue beating until smooth. Mix in the vanilla extract, orange zest, salt, and melted white chocolate until fully combined and creamy.
- Frost bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the completely cooled bars.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries on top of the frosting. Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top in a decorative pattern such as crosshatch or zigzag. Optionally, add a sprinkle of fresh orange zest for extra flavor and color.
- Chill bars: Refrigerate the frosted bars for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set properly before cutting.
- Cut and serve: Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into 16 equal squares or triangles like the Starbucks style. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- A lighter, classic-style bar version uses 10 tbsp butter creamed with ½ cup brown sugar, 1 egg, ½ tsp vanilla, and ½ tbsp orange zest; flour mix includes 1¼ cups flour with ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp cinnamon, and ⅛ tsp ginger; fold in ¼ cup chopped dried cranberries and ⅔ cup white chocolate chips. Bake at 350°F for 20–22 minutes.
- Frosting for this lighter version uses 4 oz cream cheese, 2 tbsp powdered sugar, ¼ tsp vanilla, ½ tbsp orange zest, and ¼ cup melted white chocolate. Topped with additional cranberries and white chocolate drizzle. Chill before slicing.
- Ensure bars are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- Do not overmix the batter to maintain a tender, chewy texture.
- Check the bars starting at 22 minutes to avoid overbaking, as the center sets upon cooling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/16 of recipe)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
