Soft & Chewy Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks-Style)

Hey y’all! Are you obsessed with those iconic Starbucks cranberry bliss bars? This Soft & Chewy cranberry bliss bars (Starbucks-Style) recipe brings that bakery-fresh, luscious magic to your kitchen—perfectly moist, dotted with juicy cranberries and creamy white chocolate. Whether you're planning a holiday brunch, need a sweet snack, or just want to impress friends, these bliss bars are the chewy treat you’ve been dreaming about. Let’s get cooking!

Why You'll Love This Soft & Chewy cranberry bliss bars (Starbucks-Style) Recipe

• Rich, chewy texture with bursts of tangy cranberries and decadent white chocolate.
• Easy to make at home—no fancy coffee-shop price tag!
• Perfect for holidays, parties, or as an everyday sweet treat.
• Customizable with your favorite mix-ins or toppings.
• Freezer-friendly and ideal for advance prep.

Soft & Chewy Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks-Style) Ingredients

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon orange zest
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
• ⅔ cup white chocolate chips (or chunks)
• ⅓ cup cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 2 tablespoons dried cranberries, finely chopped (for garnish)
• ¼ cup white chocolate, melted (for drizzle)

How to Make Soft & Chewy Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks-Style)

1. Prepare the Bar Base

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until combined.
• Beat in eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth.
• In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture; stir just until combined.
• Fold in chopped cranberries and white chocolate chips.
• Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
• Bake for 22-25 minutes, until the edges are golden and a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Don’t overbake for maximum chewiness!
• Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

2. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

• In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until fluffy and spreadable.
• Spread frosting gently over cooled bars.

3. Add Toppings

• Sprinkle finely chopped dried cranberries evenly over the frosting.
• Drizzle the melted white chocolate across the top using a spoon or piping bag.
• Chill the bars for 20-30 minutes to set the frosting and chocolate.
• Slice into triangles for the classic Starbucks-style look—serve and enjoy!

Notes for Perfect Soft & Chewy Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks-Style)

• Let the bars cool fully before adding frosting, or it may melt. More frosting tips here.
• Don’t skip the orange zest—it brightens the flavor and mimics the original perfectly.
• You can pulse your cranberries in a food processor to make chopping super easy (learn how to use a food processor here).

Variations on Soft & Chewy Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks-Style)

• Nutty Bliss: Add ⅓ cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts to the batter for crunch.
• Gluten-Free Version: Substitute a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for all-purpose flour.
• Lemon Twist: Swap the orange zest for lemon zest for a tangier flavor profile.

Required Equipment for Soft & Chewy Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks-Style)

• 9x9-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk and spatula
• Electric mixer (optional, for frosting)
• Wire rack for cooling

Storage for Soft & Chewy Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks-Style)

• Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge before serving.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings for Cranberry Bliss Bars

• Serve chilled or at room temperature with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea.
• Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an ultra-indulgent dessert.
• Great addition to any holiday cookie platter or brunch spread!

Pro Tips for Soft & Chewy Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks-Style)

• Measure flour carefully using the spoon-and-level method (read more here) to ensure soft, chewy bars.
• Don’t overmix once you add flour—stir just until combined for tender texture.
• If you want clean, bakery-style slices, chill the bars before cutting.

Soft & Chewy Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks-Style) FAQ

1. Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
   It’s best to stick with dried cranberries for this recipe—they add chewiness and won’t make the batter runny.
2. Can I double the recipe?
   Absolutely! Use a 9x13-inch pan, but add 5-8 extra minutes to the baking time. Check for doneness as usual.
3. Can I make these bars dairy-free?
   Yes! Substitute vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese for an equally delicious result.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 22–25 minutes
Total time: 50–55 minutes

★★★★★ 4.40 from 24 ratings

Soft & Chewy Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks-Style)

yield: 12 bars

prep: 25 mins

cook: 20 mins

total: 45 mins

A homemade version of the classic Starbucks cranberry bliss bars, featuring a soft and chewy blondie base studded with tart dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, topped with creamy vanilla frosting, more cranberries, and a drizzle of white chocolate.

🖨️ Print Pin Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon orange zest
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup dried cranberries, chopped (plus extra for topping)
• ¾ cup white chocolate chips (plus extra for drizzle)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. 2
   In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest, mixing until well combined.
3. 3
   Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt just until incorporated. Fold in chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
4. 4
   Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden and set. Allow to cool completely.
5. 5
   For the frosting, beat cream cheese until smooth, then mix in powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Spread over cooled bars, sprinkle with extra cranberries, and drizzle with melted white chocolate chips.
6. 6
   Slice into triangles or squares and enjoy!

CLICK FOR NUTRITION INFO ↑

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1 serving

Calories: 290 caloriescal

Protein: 3gg

Fat: 14gg

Saturated Fat: 0g

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 0mg

Potassium: 0mg

Total Carbs: 39gg

Fiber: 0g

Sugar: 0g

Net Carbs: 0g

Vitamin A: 0

Vitamin C: 0mg

Calcium: 0mg

Iron: 0mg

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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