Cranberry Bliss Bars Starbucks-style are a holiday classic — chewy, buttery blondie bars filled with white chocolate, studded with tart dried cranberries, and topped with a dreamy orange-zest cream cheese frosting. This homemade version is not only better than the coffee shop original but also easier to make than you’d think. Perfect for Christmas parties, cookie swaps, or gifting, these bars are festive, rich, and absolutely unforgettable.
If Starbucks’ cranberry bliss bars are your favorite seasonal treat, you’re in for a real gift. This homemade version hits every note: a soft, chewy base with hints of vanilla and ginger, rich white chocolate chips, and bright bursts of cranberry. Topped with a fluffy, tangy cream cheese frosting and a drizzle of white chocolate-orange, these bars are pure holiday magic. They slice cleanly, store beautifully, and look like a winter wonderland on any dessert tray.
Table of Contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tastes like Starbucks — but better
- Perfect texture: chewy blondie meets creamy frosting
- Crowd-pleaser – Great for potlucks, brunches, or dessert gifts
- Freezer-friendly – Make ahead and enjoy later
- Easy to customize – Gluten-free and flavor variations included
🛒 Ingredients
Blondie Base:
- 1 stick (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups (210g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips (plus ¼ cup for topping)
- 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries (plus ¼ cup for topping)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz (225g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 4 tbsp (56g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp orange zest
White Chocolate Drizzle:
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips, melted
- 1 tbsp orange juice (optional, for loosened drizzle)
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prep Oven & Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhangs. Lightly grease. - Make Blondie Batter
In a bowl, whisk melted butter with both sugars. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
In a second bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, ginger, and salt. Add to wet mixture and stir until just combined. - Add Mix-Ins
Fold in ¾ cup cranberries and ¾ cup white chocolate chips. - Bake the Base
Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden and center is just set. Cool completely. - Make the Frosting
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add orange zest and vanilla. Slowly beat in powdered sugar until fluffy. - Frost & Chill
Spread frosting evenly over cooled blondie base. Refrigerate for at least 90 minutes before cutting. - Decorate
Drizzle melted white chocolate over the frosting. Sprinkle with reserved cranberries and chips. - Slice & Serve
Use parchment handles to lift the bar out. Slice into 16 squares, wiping the knife between cuts for clean edges.
⏱ Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Cooling + Chill Time: 90 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Servings: 16 bars
🔢 Nutrition Facts (Per Bar)
- Calories: 420
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 50g
- Sugar: 38g
- Protein: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fiber: 1g
💡 Tips & Variations
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum
- Make Ahead: Bars taste even better the next day — the flavors meld beautifully
- Avoid lumpy frosting: Ensure cream cheese and butter are fully softened
- Don’t overbake: Center should be just set — bars firm up as they cool
- Flavor twist: Add 1 tsp almond extract for a warm nutty note
❓ FAQs
Can I freeze cranberry bliss bars?
Yes! Freeze the unfrosted base wrapped tightly for up to 3 months. Thaw, frost, and decorate before serving.
Can I use fresh cranberries?
Not recommended — dried sweetened cranberries are ideal for chewiness and sweetness.
How long do they last in the fridge?
Up to 5 days in an airtight container. Best served slightly chilled or at room temperature.
Why did my bars turn out dry?
Overmixing the batter or overbaking are the usual culprits. Mix until just combined and pull from the oven when the center is barely set.
Cranberry Bliss Bars Starbucks Copycat
Equipment
- – 9×13-inch baking pan
- – Parchment paper
- – Hand or stand mixer
- – Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- **Base**
- – 1 stick unsalted butter melted
- – 1 cup light brown sugar
- – ½ cup granulated sugar
- – 2 large eggs
- – 1 tsp vanilla extract
- – 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- – 1 tsp baking powder
- – ½ tsp ground ginger
- – ½ tsp salt
- – ¾ cup white chocolate chips plus ¼ cup for topping
- – 1 cup dried cranberries plus ¼ cup for topping
- **Frosting**
- – 8 oz cream cheese softened
- – 4 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- – 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
- – ½ tsp vanilla extract
- – 1 tsp orange zest
- **Drizzle**
- – ¼ cup white chocolate chips melted
- – 1 tbsp orange juice optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line and grease a 9×13″ baking pan.
- Whisk butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, ginger, and salt.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients. Fold in chips and cranberries.
- Spread into pan and bake for 25–30 mins. Cool completely.
- Beat frosting ingredients until fluffy. Spread on cooled base.
- Chill for 90 mins. Drizzle melted chocolate and top with cranberries and chips.
- Lift out, slice into bars, and serve!
Notes
– Store in fridge up to 5 days
– Freeze base (unfrosted) up to 3 months
🍴 Conclusion
These Cranberry Bliss Bars Starbucks copycat are a decadent blend of sweet, tart, and creamy — and honestly, they blow the originals out of the water. They’re festive, simple, and perfect for gifting or sharing all season long. One bite and you’ll see why they’re a holiday favorite worth keeping in your rotation.