Hey y'all! If you're anything like me, you crave that perfect blend of sweet and tangy that only those famous Starbucks treats can deliver. These Bakery-Style Cranberry Bliss Bars Inspired by Starbucks are chewy, packed with zesty cranberries and creamy white chocolate, and finished with a luscious cream cheese frosting. They’re perfect for the holidays, potlucks, or anytime you want to treat yourself. Let’s get baking!
Why You'll Love This Bakery-Style Cranberry Bliss Bars Inspired by Starbucks Recipe
- Perfectly chewy with a bakery-style texture just like Starbucks’ original bars.
- Tangy-sweet dried cranberries and orange zest add festive flavor.
- Easy to make at home with simple pantry ingredients.
- Great for parties, gifting, or satisfying a sweet craving any time of year.
- Customizable with your favorite add-ins or substitutions!
Ingredients for Bakery-Style Cranberry Bliss Bars Inspired by Starbucks
- ⅔ cup (150g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 orange)
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (100g) dried cranberries, divided
- ¾ cup (135g) white chocolate chips, divided
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
White Chocolate Drizzle:
- ¼ cup (45g) white chocolate chips, melted
Directions for Bakery-Style Cranberry Bliss Bars Inspired by Starbucks
Step 1: Prep and Mix the Base
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray lightly with nonstick spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Whisk in the eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients and Fold-Ins
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined (don’t overmix!).
- Gently fold in ½ cup dried cranberries and ½ cup white chocolate chips.
Step 3: Bake the Bars
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining cranberries and white chocolate chips on top, pressing lightly.
- Bake for 18-21 minutes or until the center is set and edges are golden. Don’t overbake; they should be soft!
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting (about 1 hour).
Step 4: Make the Frosting
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until creamy and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and orange juice, then gradually beat in the powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars. Sprinkle with extra dried cranberries.
Step 5: Drizzle and Slice
- Melt the ¼ cup white chocolate chips (microwave in 20-second increments, stirring in between) and drizzle over the frosted bars.
- Let the bars set for 20 minutes, then slice into triangles or squares. Enjoy!
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 35 minutes (includes cooling & frosting)
Notes for Perfect Bakery-Style Cranberry Bliss Bars Inspired by Starbucks
- For the best chewy texture, don’t overbake—the bars should look just set in the center.
- If your frosting is too thick, add a splash more orange juice until spreadable.
- Curious about dried cranberries' nutrition and benefits? Read more at Healthline.
Bakery-Style Cranberry Bliss Bars Inspired by Starbucks: Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend.
- Nutty Crunch: Fold in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Dark Chocolate: Swap white chocolate chips for semi-sweet or dark chocolate for a richer twist.
Required Equipment for Bakery-Style Cranberry Bliss Bars Inspired by Starbucks
- 9x13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Whisk and spatula
- Electric mixer (for frosting)
- Wire cooling rack
Bakery-Style Cranberry Bliss Bars Storage Instructions
Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture. You can also freeze unfrosted bars for up to 2 months; thaw and frost before serving.
How to Serve Bakery-Style Cranberry Bliss Bars Inspired by Starbucks
- Pair with a homemade latte or cozy cup of tea.
- Perfect alongside fresh fruit for brunch.
- Enjoy as part of a holiday dessert spread—these bars are a crowd-pleaser!
Pro Tips for Bakery-Style Cranberry Bliss Bars Inspired by Starbucks
- For neat slices, chill the bars slightly before cutting with a sharp knife.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for richer, smoother frosting (see tips here).
- Don’t skip the orange zest—it really lifts the flavor and aroma.
Bakery-Style Cranberry Bliss Bars Inspired by Starbucks FAQ
Q: Can I make these Bakery-Style Cranberry Bliss Bars ahead?
A: Absolutely! Bake and frost the bars up to 2 days in advance; just keep them chilled and covered.
Q: What’s the best way to melt white chocolate for drizzling?
A: Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring each time, until smooth. Avoid overheating to prevent burning.
Q: Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
A: Dried cranberries give the classic chewy texture and sweetness; fresh cranberries are more tart and watery and aren't recommended for this authentic copycat recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- ¼ cup dried cranberries, chopped (for topping)
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips, melted (for drizzle)
Instructions
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1Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang to lift bars out.
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2In a mixing bowl, combine melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, and salt until well incorporated.
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3Stir in flour just until combined. Fold in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
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4Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and edges are set. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
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5For the frosting, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Spread evenly over cooled bars.
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6Sprinkle bars with chopped cranberries. Drizzle with melted white chocolate. Cut into triangles and serve.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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