Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe
These Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful holiday treat featuring a rich browned butter blondie base studded with dried cranberries and white chocolate. Topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, a sprinkle of chopped cranberries, and a drizzle of melted white chocolate, these bars combine festive flavors and textures in every bite.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 to 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Blondie Layer
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (7.5 oz)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp table salt
- 12 tbsp unsalted butter (6 oz)
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar (10.5 oz)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp grated orange zest
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries (3.5 oz, loosely packed)
- 1 1/3 cups white chocolate, chopped or chips (8 oz)
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted (6 oz)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest, finely grated
- 2/3 cup white chocolate, melted (4 oz)
Topping
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (2.3 oz, loosely packed)
- 1 2/3 cups white chocolate, melted (10 oz)
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and set the oven rack to the middle. Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal. Spray the parchment again to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Butter: In a light-colored saucepan over medium heat, melt the 12 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Continue cooking, stirring frequently until the butter foams and the milk solids turn golden brown. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a bowl, scraping in the browned bits. Let cool completely to strengthen flavor.
- Mix the Dry and Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, combine cooled browned butter with light brown sugar, whisking until well blended. Add the lightly beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest, stirring until smooth.
- Combine Batter and Bake: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula until just combined—avoid overmixing. Fold in the chopped white chocolate and dried cranberries. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until edges are golden and top is set. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare and Spread the Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sifted confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and finely grated orange zest until light and fluffy. Once bars have cooled, spread the frosting evenly on top. Optionally chill for about 10 minutes to firm the frosting for easier decorating.
- Add Toppings and Finish: Sprinkle the roughly chopped dried cranberries evenly over the frosted surface. Drizzle the melted white chocolate decoratively over the bars. For easier drizzle, pour melted chocolate into a small zip-top bag and snip the corner. Refrigerate until the frosting and drizzle are firm.
- Slice and Serve: Use the parchment overhang to lift bars from the pan. Cut into triangles or desired shapes. Serve and enjoy! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Browning the butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the blondies.
- Ensure the browned butter is completely cooled before mixing with sugar to prevent cooking the eggs.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the blondies tender and moist.
- Chilling the frosted bars before decorating makes drizzling easier and cleaner.
- Use parchment paper with an overhang for easy removal of bars from the pan.
- Store bars refrigerated and in an airtight container to maintain freshness up to 5 days.
Keywords: Cranberry Bliss Bars, Starbucks Copycat, Holiday Bars, Blondies, Cream Cheese Frosting, White Chocolate, Cranberry Dessert
