Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars

If you’ve ever treated yourself to Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars and thought, “Why don’t I make these at home more often?”—you are absolutely not alone. These iconic holiday bars are sweet, tangy, creamy, and just fancy enough to feel like a splurge… without actually leaving your house or your yoga pants.

This homemade version is my go-to when I want bakery-style dessert vibes with zero coffee-shop lines. They’re rich but balanced, indulgent but approachable, and honestly? They make your kitchen smell like a cozy winter dream. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a potluck, or just a long week that deserves a reward, these bars totally deliver.

And yes—this recipe is a Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars situation. But dare I say? Even better than the original.

Why You’ll Love These Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars

Let’s get right to the heart of it. These bars check all the boxes:

• Big flavor, simple steps – No complicated techniques, just good ingredients doing their thing
• Perfect sweet-tart balance – White chocolate, cranberries, and orange zest = magic
• Make-ahead friendly – Even better the next day (hello, stress-free entertaining)
• Crowd-pleasing – People will absolutely ask for the recipe

They’re basically blondies dressed up for a holiday party—comfortable, confident, and a little extra.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Blondie Layer

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp table salt
• 12 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp grated orange zest
• ¾ cup dried cranberries
• 1 ⅓ cups white chocolate, chopped or chips

For the Creamy Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp finely grated orange zest
• ⅔ cup white chocolate, melted

For the Topping

• ½ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
• 1 ⅔ cups white chocolate, melted

How to Make Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars at Home

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F and set the rack to the middle position. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray, line the bottom with parchment paper (leave a little overhang!), then spray again. This makes removal later a breeze—and trust me, you’ll want clean slices.

Step 2: Brown the Butter (Flavor Booster Alert )

In a light-colored saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Keep stirring as it foams and turns golden brown with nutty bits at the bottom. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a bowl, scraping in all that flavor. Let it cool completely.

This step alone takes these bars from good to “people think you’re a baking wizard.”

Step 3: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a large bowl, whisk the cooled browned butter with brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, and orange zest. Stir until glossy and well combined.

Step 4: Combine, Fold, and Bake

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture—no overmixing here. Fold in the white chocolate and dried cranberries.

Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is set.

Cool completely before frosting. (Yes, waiting is hard. I get it.)

Cream Cheese Frosting + Toppings (The Best Part)

Step 5: Make the Frosting

Beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, orange juice, and orange zest until fluffy. Once the bars are fully cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.

Pro tip: Chill the frosted bars for 10 minutes before decorating—it makes life easier.

Step 6: Add the Signature Toppings

Sprinkle chopped dried cranberries over the frosting. Drizzle melted white chocolate on top using a spoon or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped.

Refrigerate until everything is set and firm.

Step 7: Slice and Serve

Lift the bars out using the parchment overhang. Slice into triangles or squares and serve. Try not to eat “just one”… no promises.

Baking Tips for Foolproof Bliss Bars

• Don’t skip cooling time – Frosting warm bars = slippery mess
• Use good white chocolate – It really matters here
• For clean slices – Wipe your knife between cuts
• Too thick frosting? Add a splash of orange juice and keep going

If your drizzle looks messy? Congratulations—you made it homemade. That’s part of the charm.

A Little Personal Note from My Kitchen

The first time I made these Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars, it was during one of those weeks where everything felt like a lot. You know the kind. These bars turned my kitchen into a calm, citrusy, chocolate-scented haven—and suddenly the day felt manageable again. That’s why I love recipes like this. They’re more than dessert. They’re comfort you can bake.

FAQs About Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars

Your New Favorite Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars Moment

These Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars are everything we love about comfort baking: simple steps, big payoff, and that magical feeling of creating something special at home. Whether you’re recreating a coffee shop favorite or starting a new holiday tradition, this recipe deserves a spot in your rotation.

Bake them once, and don’t be surprised if they become your thing.

If You’re in the Mood for More Cozy Cranberry Treats…

• Loved the sweet-tangy combo in these Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars? You’ll probably swoon over this creamy, festive No-Bake Cranberry Cream Pie—it’s cool, dreamy, and perfect when you want an impressive dessert without turning the oven back on.
• If you’re craving another easy, bakery-style dessert with that familiar cranberry goodness, these soft and chewy Cranberry Bars are a wonderful next bake and make an excellent option for cookie trays or casual get-togethers.
• Hosting a holiday gathering or just feeling a little extra? These sparkling Candied Cranberries are fun to snack on and make gorgeous toppers for desserts, cheese boards, or even cocktails.
• And if cream cheese desserts are your love language, don’t miss this cozy Cranberry Cream Cheese Crumb Pie—it’s rich, comforting, and fits right in with the flavors you already loved here.

Consider this your little trail of cozy crumbs—follow whichever one calls your name next.

Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars

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• Author: Mounia
• Total Time: 47 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars 1x

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Description

These Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars are a homemade version of the beloved coffee shop treat. Soft cranberry-studded blondies are topped with creamy orange-kissed cream cheese frosting, white chocolate drizzle, and tart dried cranberries. Perfect for holidays, parties, or cozy baking days at home.

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Ingredients

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Blondie Layer

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 12 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1 ½ cups light brown sugar, packed

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp orange zest

• ¾ cup dried cranberries

• 1 ⅓ cups white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate

Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tbsp orange juice

• 1 tsp orange zest

• ⅔ cup white chocolate, melted

Topping

• ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped

• 1 ⅔ cups white chocolate, melted

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang.

2. Brown the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until golden and nutty. Transfer to a bowl and cool completely.

3. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.

4. In a separate bowl, mix cooled browned butter and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in eggs, vanilla, and orange zest.

5. Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture just until combined. Add white chocolate and dried cranberries.

6. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 18–22 minutes, until edges are golden and center is set.

7. Cool completely before frosting.

8. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, orange juice, and zest until fluffy. Spread evenly over cooled bars.

9. Sprinkle chopped cranberries on top and drizzle with melted white chocolate.

10. Chill until set, then slice into triangles or bars and serve.

Notes

Chill before slicing for clean, bakery-style cuts.

Bars taste even better the next day.

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Use good-quality white chocolate for best flavor and drizzle.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg