Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars (Copycat Recipe)
These Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars are one of my favorite desserts to make, especially during the holiday season! These chewy, dense bars are perfectly sweetened with frosting, white chocolate chips, and dried cranberries. A touch of orange zest is not overpowering but adds such a nice contrast of flavor along with the tart cranberries. I dare say they are even better than the Starbucks version and you can make them any time of year!
Ingredients
For the Bars
- 1 cup butter melted 2 sticks, salted or unsalted
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp grated orange zest
- 1 tsp orange extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt or kosher salt
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
For the topping/icing
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp grated orange zest
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips, melted
Instructions
For the bars
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 9x13 baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Melt butter in the microwave.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl (or bowl of a stand mixer), add the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, grated orange zest, orange extract, and vanilla. With a hand mixer or electric mixer, blend until all ingredients are fully incorporated (30-60 seconds).
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add in the flour, ground ginger, baking powder, and salt. Beat on low for 30-60 seconds, just until fully blended--do not over mix.
- Add Goodies: Fold in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries with a wooden spoon.
- Prepare to Bake: Spread batter evenly onto prepared pan with a spoon or spatula.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before frosting. This can take up to an hour or more--be patient :) Bars can also be placed in the fridge to speed up the cooling process.
For the Frosting/Topping
- Make the Frosting: While bars are cooling, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, add softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, orange zest and vanilla extract. With an electric mixer, beat until creamy, well-combined and free of any lumps. Texture should be smooth and silky.
- Top the Bars: Spread frosting over the top of your cooled bars with a spatula. Sprinkle on the chopped, dried cranberries.
- White Chocolate Drizzle (optional): Place the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 20-second intervals. Mix in between each interval until melted. Allow the melted chocolate to cool for 10 minutes. Place the melted chocolate in a zip-top bag. Cut the tip of the bag and squeeze melted chocolate over the top of the bars (you can also just drizzle it on with a spoon).
- Cut: Place the bars in the refrigerator for 1 hour before cutting so you can get perfect cuts. Remove from the fridge and carefully lift bars off of the baking sheet (with the parchment paper left on). Place the bars onto a cutting board Your first cut will be making three columns. Then make 4 horizontal cuts. Then, cut each square diagonally.
- Serve or Store: Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. You can also place them on a cookie tray or plate and cover tightly with a couple of layers of plastic wrap.
Nutrition
Calories: 242kcalCarbohydrates: 27.4gProtein: 2.8gFat: 13.7gSaturated Fat: 8.4gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 136mgPotassium: 101mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18.3gVitamin D: 7µgCalcium: 46mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!