Cranberry Bliss Bars Starbucks fans, rejoice — now you can make this iconic treat at home! These copycat bars are chewy, sweet, and loaded with white chocolate and dried cranberries, finished with a dreamy cream cheese frosting. They’re everything you love about the seasonal Starbucks favorite — but made from scratch in your own kitchen.
Perfect for holiday parties, cookie trays, or cozy coffee dates at home, this recipe delivers the signature flavor and look of the original — at a fraction of the cost.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🎄 Holiday vibes, anytime — recreate the Starbucks magic at home
- 🍫 White chocolate + cranberries = sweet-tart perfection
- 🧁 Frosted to perfection — rich cream cheese icing with festive toppings
- 🧊 Make ahead-friendly — stores well and freezes beautifully
- 🔁 Customizable — gluten-free and vegan swaps included
Try serving with [Related: Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies] or [Related: White Chocolate Mocha].
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ to 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange (optional)
For Garnish:
- Extra dried cranberries, chopped
- White chocolate shavings or drizzle
- Additional orange zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper and lightly grease. - Make the Bar Batter
In a bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. - Add Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk flour, oats, baking powder, and salt. Slowly combine with wet mixture. Fold in cranberries and white chocolate chips. - Bake the Bars
Spread batter evenly in the pan. Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Do not overbake — they should stay soft. - Cool Completely
Let bars cool in pan for 10 minutes, then lift out and cool fully on a wire rack. - Prepare the Frosting
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and orange zest. Beat until fluffy. - Frost and Decorate
Spread frosting over cooled bars. Sprinkle with cranberries, white chocolate, and zest. - Chill, Slice, and Serve
Chill for 15–20 minutes for clean slicing. Cut into triangles or squares and enjoy!
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 12 bars
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition Facts (Per Bar – Approx.)
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Sugar: 20g
- Protein: 2g
Tips & Variations
- 🌾 Gluten-free: Use almond or coconut flour
- 🌱 Vegan: Swap eggs for flax eggs; use dairy-free butter and cream cheese
- 🍊 Add zest: Orange zest in the batter and frosting brightens the flavor
- 🔥 Don’t overbake: They should be soft and chewy, not dry
- ❄️ Freeze friendly: Freeze frosted or unfrosted bars for up to 3 months
FAQs
How long do homemade cranberry bliss bars last?
Store in an airtight container at room temp for 3–4 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Can I freeze them?
Yes! Wrap bars individually or in layers with parchment paper and freeze up to 3 months.
Can I use fresh cranberries?
Stick with dried for best texture and sweetness. Fresh ones will be too tart and wet.
How can I make them even more like Starbucks?
Add a drizzle of melted white chocolate over the frosting after chilling for that café finish.
Can I make these in advance for a party?
Absolutely. Bake and frost the day before, and slice right before serving.
Cranberry Bliss Bars Starbucks
Equipment
- – 9×13-inch baking pan
- – Parchment paper
- – Mixing bowls
- – Hand or stand mixer
Ingredients
- #### Bar Base:
- – 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- – 1 cup brown sugar
- – 2 large eggs
- – 2 cups all-purpose flour
- – ¾ cup old-fashioned oats
- – 1 tsp baking powder
- – ½ tsp salt
- – 1 cup dried cranberries
- – ½ cup white chocolate chips
- #### Frosting:
- – 8 oz cream cheese softened
- – ¼ cup butter softened
- – 1½–2 cups powdered sugar
- – 1 tsp vanilla extract
- – Zest of 1 orange optional
- #### Topping:
- – Extra cranberries chopped
- – White chocolate shavings or drizzle
- – Orange zest optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment.
- Cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in eggs.
- In another bowl, mix flour, oats, baking powder, salt. Combine with wet mixture.
- Fold in cranberries and white chocolate. Spread in pan.
- Bake 22–25 minutes. Cool completely.
- Make frosting by beating cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and zest.
- Frost cooled bars. Top with cranberries and white chocolate.
- Chill slightly. Slice into squares or triangles. Serve.
Notes
– Bars can be frozen up to 3 months
– Chill before slicing for clean cuts
Conclusion
These Cranberry Bliss Bars Starbucks copycats are festive, flavorful, and easy to make at home. With chewy texture, rich frosting, and tart cranberries in every bite, they’re the ultimate holiday treat — without the long coffee shop line.
Bring them to your next cookie exchange, gift a tray to neighbors, or keep a stash for yourself. Either way, you’ll be spreading holiday joy one bar at a time.