Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe
These Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars offer a perfect balance of tart dried cranberries, rich browned butter blondie batter, and creamy cream cheese frosting topped with white chocolate drizzle. This recipe captures the classic café treat with homemade ease, featuring a soft, chewy base and a luscious, tangy frosting enhanced by fresh orange zest and juice for a bright, festive flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Blondie Base
- 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
Toppings
- 2/3 cup white chocolate, melted (4 oz)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (2.3 oz, loosely packed)
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the oven rack in the middle. Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray, then line the bottom with parchment paper leaving an overhang on both sides for easy removal. Spray the parchment paper again to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Butter: In a light-colored saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Continue cooking while stirring frequently until the butter foams and the milk solids at the bottom turn a golden brown color. Immediately remove from heat and pour the browned butter into a bowl, scraping in all browned bits. Allow the butter to cool completely.
- Mix the Dry and Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, combine the cooled browned butter and light brown sugar, whisking until well blended. Add the lightly beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and grated 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, avoiding overmixing. Fold in the chopped white chocolate and dried cranberries. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until edges are golden brown and the top is set. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare and Spread the Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese, sifted confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and finely grated orange zest until fluffy and smooth. Once the bars have cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Optionally chill the frosted bars for about 10 minutes to make decorating easier.
- Add Toppings and Finish: Sprinkle roughly chopped dried cranberries evenly over the frosted surface. Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top in a decorative pattern using a small plastic bag with a snipped corner for controlled drizzle. Refrigerate until the frosting and chocolate drizzle set firmly.
- Slice and Serve: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into triangles or desired shapes. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Browning the butter adds a deep, nutty flavor that enhances the blondies.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and chewy.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Chilling after frosting helps keep the toppings neat and firm.
- Store bars refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Keywords: Starbucks copycat, Cranberry Bliss Bars, cranberry blondies, cream cheese frosting, holiday dessert, white chocolate, orange zest dessert
