If you've ever fallen in love with the creamy, tangy-sweet Cranberry Bliss Bars at Starbucks, you'll adore this homemade copycat version! Perfectly chewy blondie base, tart cranberries, zesty orange frosting, and a drizzle of white chocolate make this treat irresistible and surprisingly simple to recreate at home.
The first time I had a Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar, I knew I would have to learn how to make it at home. The bar is so delicious with the brown sugar caramel flavor and combined with the chewy cranberries and white chocolate it was pure heaven!
I am a huge fan of the tart cranberry, one of my favorite recipes is this Cranberry Upside Down Cake. And, the tartness from the cranberries in this is a great contrast from the sweetness in the recipe!
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Why You'll Love Cranberry Bliss Bars
Great for Gifting: These bars are beautifully festive and package well for edible holiday gifts.
Budget-Friendly: Skip the coffee shop markup and make a whole batch for the price of a couple of store-bought bars.
Starbucks Favorite Copycat: You can recreate the same indulgent flavor at home, with the added bonus of making them fresher and even better!
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter
- Light brown sugar
- Large eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Ground ginger
- Salt
- Baking powder
- All-purpose flour
- Unsweetened dried cranberries
- White chocolate
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Vegetable shortening, melted
See recipe card for quantities.
Hint: choose unsweetened dried cranberries for the best sweet and tart contrast in flavors. I buy mine from Trader Joes.
How to Make Cranberry Bliss Bars
These bliss bars are really easy to make. The hardest part is waiting for them to cool so you can frost, cut, and eat!
In a large mixing bow, combine the brown sugar and butter until creamy.
Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until well combined.
Mix in the dry ingredients until a smooth dough forms.
Stir in the dried cranberries and white chocolate.
Evenly spread the batter in a 9 x 13 baking dish lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until bars are golden brown.
Cream together the frosting ingredients, and spread over top of completely cooled bars.
Sprinkle with dried cranberries.
Mix together the confectioner sugar, melted vegetable shortening, and milk.
Drizzle the icing over top of the bars in a zigzag style.
Hint: use an offset spatula (affiliate link) to evenly spread the icing over top of the brownies.
Substitutions
- Dried cranberries: Swap them for dried cherries or golden raisins if cranberries aren't your thing.
- Lemon juice: Substitute orange juice in the cream cheese frosting for the classic orange cranberry flavors.
- White Icing Drizzle: Replace with melted dark chocolate for a chocolate flavor contrast.
See these cookies for another classic white chocolate cranberry combination on my website!
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric Hand Mixer
- 9x13 Baking Dish
- Parchment Paper
- Offset Spatula
- Wooden mixing spoon
- Rubber scraper
- Sharp knife
Storage
Store cranberry bliss bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days. For longer storage, can store in the freezer up rto 3 months.
Top tip
- Allow the bliss bars to cool completely before spreading the frosting over top.
Serve with...
- Pair with a hot cup of coffee or tea for the ultimate Starbucks-at-home vibe.
- Serve as part of a holiday dessert platter with cookies, fudge, and truffles.
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
When you make this cranberry bliss bar recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Cranberry Bliss Bars
Equipment
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Ingredients
For the bars:
- 1 cup 2 sticks butter, softened
- 1¼ cups light brown sugar , packed
- 3 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup diced dried cranberries
- 6 ounces white chocolate chips
For the frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese , softened
- 3 cups confectioner's sugar
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup diced dried cranberries
For the Icing drizzle:
- ½ cup confectioner's sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 teaspoons vegetable shortening , melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 glass baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
To Make The Bars:
- In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, mix together brown sugar and butter until smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla, and mix with the electric mixer until creamy.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking, powder, and ground ginger. Add flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until smooth.
- Stir in ¾ cup dried cranberries and white chocolate chips into the batter by hand.
- Transfer batter prepared baking dish. Use an offset spatula to spread the batter evenly across the pan.
- Bake for 35 minutes, or until cake is light brown on the edges. Allow cake to cool completely.
For the frosting:
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on low speed, combine 3 cups powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract until smooth.
For the icing drizzle
- In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and melted shortening.
Assemble the Cranberry Bliss Bars
- Once cake is cooled completely, spread the frosting evenly over top of the bars using an offset spatula.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup of diced cranberries over the frosting on the cake.
- Drizzle icing over the cranberries in a sweeping motion or use a pastry bag with a fine tip to drizzle frosting across the top of the cake.
- Allow frosted cake to sit for several hours, then slice the cake lengthwise (the long way) through the middle. Slice the cake across the width three times making a total of eight rectangular slices. Slice each of those rectangles diagonally creating 16 triangular slices.
Shelby Law Ruttan says
These are so easy to make and by far taste better than the version at Starbucks. I make these every single winter between Thanksgiving and Christmas and they never last long!
Aaron John says
These look amazing! I have to add this recipe to my "to-do" list. Do you remember if these came out cakey or chewy? It seems all the recipes I've tried so far has come out too cakey and not exactly like the starbucks version. Hopefully these aren't the same!
Occasional Cooker says
These look great. I will have to give these a try.
Pamela says
I never go to Starbucks, so I don't know anything about what they sell in there in the way of treats. These, however, look incredible!
Barbara Bakes says
I've always wanted to try these bars. Yours look fantastic.
Andrew's Mom says
I love these!
mrskimmyl says
I am so excited about making these! Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this recipe!!! =D
Jeni says
I don't know how I missed this before but it looks sooooo good! I want to try it!
Megan says
Now I want a pumpkin lattee and a cranberry bliss bar!!!
Diana says
I made these on my blog too! I used to work at Starbucks, and it's actually melted white chocolate drizzled on top, trust me I sampled a ton for 3 years of Christmases 🙂
I figured mine out with lots of experimenting but it's pretty similar to the Top Secret recipe. Yours look delicious.
Kevin says
Those look so good!
to2sassy says
I also make a version of these Called "Better than Starbucks" Cranberry Bliss Bars"
I did not compare the recipes side by side but the main difference is that I add 2 tsp of orange extract to the batter and 1 tsp to the icing. I also grate orange zest on top and they look so pretty along with tasting amazing. The orange just puts them over the top!
Starbucks stuff always looks so yummy but usually does not taste NEARLY as good as they look!
Maggie says
These look fantastic! I know what you mean. I see gorgeous looking baked goods at stores and then I think how many calories are in them and how they never taste as good as they look. I just can't waste the calories on something not delicious and homemade.
Lynnylu says
My sister and I had these at the Barne's and Noble Starbucks, too. She was disappointed in the recipe. What would you change? Yours look delicious, better than the Starbucks ones.
dharmagirl says
I know just what you mean about looking at baked goods in stores and wondering if they can possibly be as good as they would be made at home:) excellent job!
Brownies for Dinner says
Yum! I made this recipe last year. They were sooo good. Thanks for posting this! And for reminding me its time to make another batch 🙂
creative one says
These look delicious. I am sure they tasted better than Starbucks!
Flourchild says
Your so funny...move over Starbucks is right! I think sometimes Im a food snob too. I will look at different baked goods in shops and think..hmmmm I could do that better...HA! I think your bars look fabulous..Im sure they taste really good...Im going to copy that recipe and try them. Thank you...is your TWD up??
Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer says
WOW - move over Starbucks is right - These look better than Starbucks. Thanks for sharing the recipe of one of my favorite holiday indulgences!!
honeyb says
I just made these and posted them recently, too. Very good! A newer "trick" I always do now, no matter what I'm baking, is foil line the pan and spray lightly. It's so easy to just lift things right out of the pan to cut them and they never stick!
shellyfish says
You are a non-stop goodie making machine! I can just imagine how delicious your home must smell at the holidays!
Foong says
Yep, I agree. Homemade is def better than Starbucks anytime!
Sharon says
Move over Starbucks is absolutely right! These look even better than the storebought.
Megan says
These look delicious-I'm certain they rival the ones at Starbucks! I must try these out-yum!
Olga says
These look delicious!!!
noble pig says
Oh yeah these are nice...love them! I know your are better.
Linda says
These sound good...and a gold star for trying it yourself. No problem being a food snob...I do the same thing myself! That is the beauty of knowing you CAN do it yourself!!
Melissa says
These look super schweet! I love things with cranberries and white chocolate.
Reeni says
I love these!! Yours look so much more beautiful than Starbucks. I'll take these over theirs anyday! YUM!
Tartelette says
I know I could easily eat more than my share of these! Well done!
Christy says
Shelby-these look absolutely beautiful! I just saw these yesterday at Starbucks, but didn't want to spend the $$$ on a little sliver of "sweetness"! Thanks for posting the recipe, I can't wait to try these from my own kitchen. 🙂
Gabe's Girl says
Just too awesome for words. I love it when homemade trumps the big boys' version! Very pretty.
Jaime says
i made these last year and love them. they're not exactly like the starbucks version, but i actually like the homemade version better 🙂
The Food Librarian says
I've seen these at Starbucks but never had...and yours look 100 times better!!!
Stephanie says
Oh yum, those look so delicious!
Amanda says
Oh how fabulous, I love these at Starbucks and it bums me out they only have them at the holidays!
Laura says
I have never eaten one of these--I am afraid I react similarly to Starbucks' baked goods! Yours, on the other hand, looks quite yummy.
Maria says
Thanks for the recipe! Can't wait to try this one!
Debbie says
Looks delicious. Just like the ones at Starbucks. When I see cookies and cakes in bake shops I always think how much cheaper it would be to make it rather than buy it already made....and fresher!
Dawn says
I always eye these bars too. Glad someone finally made it and it was a hit.
I drink way too many egg nog latte's...I recreate them at home using egg nog. I mean that's what they use is egg nog and one of the syrups.
Bunny says
These look sooooo good!! i bet they're terrific, that cream cheese frosting is calling my name!!
Ingrid says
That's funny that you just made these! Last Friday night I eyeballed them while in line with my Honey at Starbucks! Like you I thought to myself that I could (in theory, LOL!)make then myself.
I'm certain yours tasted waaaaaay better than theirs. You know they weren't lovingly baked that morning.
~ingrid
Pam says
You are one of the best bakers I know. These look FANTASTIC! They are sooo pretty.
Aren't egg nog lattes so yummy? A special treat for sure.
J.Danger says
totally NOT food snobbish- you are right! They always do taste better. I miss these, I think I might try them. Thanks for the tips too.
emily says
You are a fabulous prolific baker! These look incredible.
Emily @ http://www.justeatfood.com
nicisme says
These are gorgeous, I love dried cranberries!
Robin Sue says
You can say that again! Starbucks pastries are always dry. We should all revolt and make Starbucks sell your Cranberry Bliss Bars! Much better for sure!
Barbara Bakes says
I love white chocolate and cranberries together. I'm not a huge ginger fan, so I'd probably leave that out.
Megan says
I tried to make these last year because I'm obsessed with Starbucks' cranberry bliss bars! I found that they came out too gingery and cakelike. The Starbucks ones are pretty moist and dense, and they don't have a strong ginger taste. What was the texture like on yours? Could you taste the ginger?
Natashya says
I am just like you! Always thinking I can make it at home better and cheaper too!
They look great - I will have to check out this "Top Secret Recipes!"
Cheers
Jessie says
OH waaaaaay better than starbucks! Looks great!
+Jessie
a.k.a. The Hungry Mouse
RecipeGirl says
Wonderful! I just saw these at S'bucks the other day and was wondering about a recipe 🙂
Mari at Once Upon a Plate says
Get Out! 🙂
Just when I think you've dazzled us with the BEST and there cannot possibly be anything else, well, there you GO again! FANTASTIC! You are amazing HoneyB.
This goes to the top of the short list this week, without a doubt.
Thank you for the wonderful inspiration (and the extra tips.)
Hope you have a great week! xo~m.
Sabrina says
It's not food snobish, it's ingenious!!!
Very lovely!!!
Meg says
It looks better than Starbucks, so I bet it tastes better too!
Cristine says
Those look too good for words! You know I am obsessed with craisins!!! I am making these this week. No ifs, ands, or buts about it! MUST MAKE NOW! 🙂
Vera says
These look yummy! I'm sure they tasted way better than store-bought.
Debbie says
I don't think you ever sleep! You are a baking fool this season. and it all looks so good.
I am waaaayyyy behind.
Lisa says
Yummy! I bet yours is much better than Starbucks.