Y’all already know I love me a good Starbucks copycat recipe! Like my copycat OG Pumpkin Scones I made last fall. But, I needed to figure out a copycat for Starbucks cranberry bliss bars recipe too!
And thankfully, I did! Let me tell you, these bars are amazing and even better than Starbucks. If I do say so myself!
They are chewy and creamy, with the perfect amount of sweetness and zest! They also serve quite a few people too so this would be a perfect holiday dessert to bring to a party!
What’s In The Cranberry Bliss Bar?
Below is everything you need to get started baking these delicious and festive bars!
FOR THE BARS:
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks) melted
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar packed
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp orange extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup craisins
FOR THE FROSTING:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp orange extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup craisins chopped
- 2 squares white baking chocolate
- 1 orange zested
Mixing Up The Dough For The Bars
To make these delicious Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars, the process is actually quite simple. You basically just throw everything into the mixer and then stir in the white chocolate chips and craisins by hand.
I also sifted together the dry ingredients first before adding them into the butter and brown sugar mixture to ensure everything would be well incorporated.
Baking the Bars
The original recipe I found online when wanting to make these bars, called to bake them for just 18-22 minutes. However, it took me MUCH LONGER before my bars were completely done.
Granted, the other recipe called for a jelly roll pan, and I do not have one. So I just used my usual 9×13 baking dish and maybe that’s why it took a little longer.
I am not entirely sure. However, I ended up baking mine around 35 minutes. So I would say depending on your oven, it should take anywhere from 30-40 minutes. I would just keep checking every couple of minutes or so for doneness.
Making The Frosting
After your cranberry bliss bars are cooled, you can now make the frosting! Just beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar and then add in the extracts. Simple and easy!
Spread the frosting evenly across the bars. Then, top with chopped craisins and drizzle with the melted white baking chocolate.
I also made the addition of fresh orange zest to the recipe too and I am so glad I did! It gave it the perfect zest and tang to the sweetness of this dessert!
Do Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars Need to be Refrigerated?
One of the most pressing questions regarding this recipe is whether or not they need to be refrigerated after baking. The answer is yes. They will keep better in the refrigerator and especially since it has the cream cheese frosting on top.
You want them to stay nice and cool, that way they stay fresher longer. They can last up to 5 days when stored in the fridge too!
Can Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars Be Frozen?
Another pressing question, and again the answer is yes! That’s one of the main reasons I love this recipe. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
But, it can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer so you can plan ahead! Simply wrap the individual bars in plastic wrap first and then aluminum foil on top of that.
I also then place them in a freezer bag too. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months as well!
When you are ready to use them again, just take them out of the freezer the night before. Then, place them in the fridge overnight to let them thaw fully before serving.
Have you ever made these yummy bars before?? If not, you should definitely try this recipe out. It’s so easy and I know everyone in your family would love it too!
Also, be sure to save the video pin I created for this recipe below. That way you can always refer back to it in the future too!
Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars
Ingredients
For The Bars:
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks) melted
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar packed
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp orange extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup craisins
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp orange extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup craisins chopped
- 2 squares white baking chocolate
- 1 orange zested
Instructions
For the Bars:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, ginger and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Mix together the melted butter and brown sugar together on medium speed until blended. Then, add in the eggs, orange extract, and vanilla extract.
- Add in the sifted flour mixture and beat until just blended. Don't overmix.
- Stir in the white chocolate chips and craisins by hand. Then, pour evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake until golden brown. 30-40 minutes. I baked mine around 35 minutes before it was done.
- Let bars cool completely on wire rack before frosting.
For the Frosting:
- Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Add in the vanilla and orange extract, mixing well.
- Spread frosting on top of cooled bars. And top with chopped craisins and orange zest.
- Melt white baking chocolate in microwave per instructions on package. Drizzle white chocolate on top of the bars. I used a fork to drizzle it all around.
- Place in the refrigerator for one hour before cutting.
- Cut into triangles and enjoy!
I stare at these bars every time Iām in Starbucks wondering what they would taste like so I really appreciate you sharing your recipe for them. I love treats that can be made and frozen ahead of time to save the last minute prep too! They look delicious! Iām going to try using a cookie sheet instead as I was taught in school that jelly rolls can be baked in one as well. āŗļø
Lol you should definitely try making them too then! They are so yummy and I love the fact that they can be frozen too!
Looks delicious (and not terribly difficult)! Pinned and printed to give them a try. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! They really are pretty easy to make too!
Holy moly those look ridiculous yummy!! I feel like that would be such a nice one to bring to a Christmas party! I love trying new recipes in winter and that looks like a great one to try. Thanks for sharing! š
Thank you, it was definitely a fun, new recipe to try. And you’re right, it would be perfect for a Christmas party as well!
These sound sp tasty. I’m the same, as.i never use the correct size pan for recipes.
Yeah I just didn’t have a jelly roll pan so I improvised a little.
Cranberry isnāt my thing (blame my tastebuds) but these look great and I LOVE your pictures – especially the ones by the tree! Iāll be sharing this recipe with my cranberry-loving wife (that sounds mean-spirited for some reason but that is NOT meant to be! Happy she loves cranberry. Really!). Nice post.
Awe yay! Glad she will like this then! Thanks so much!
I used to work at Starbucks many moons ago and remember when they 1st introduced them. They used to sell out fast at my location. These look like the perfect replica of them and look so festive too. I’ve never had them myself but I think I’ll try this recipe for my 1st time. Thank you for sharing!
Awe thank you! You definitely should try them out, they are delicious for sure!
This looks so yummy and love the topping of it. Definitely would love to make it as a snack while working!
Thank you, it does make for the perfect snack!
Yummy!!!!!! These cranberry bliss bars look soooooo delicious. Thank you for sharing this recipe. Now, I can try to make them as well.
Yay, I hope you love them just as much as I did!
These look amazing! I will try them soon! Thank yo for sharing.
No problem at all, I hope you enjoy them too!
Ooh, these sound incredible; I’ve seen things like this at Starbucks and they always look so good. I love to bake and make my own versions of things I see in stores so this is perfect!
Thank you! I love to bake too!
These are quite literally my favorite pastry from Starbucks! I’m blown away by how delicious they look. Also I’m not allergic to anything in this recipe (that’s rare). Love this. I’ve already saved it!
Thank you! I hope you get a chance to make them too! They are delicious!
Ooh these look great! I love the idea of these tasty treats for Christmas. Thank you for sharing š x
I need these in my tummy! They look so good and they’re so simple to make. Yum! I pinned it to my Christmas board to give them a try. Your pictures are so pretty too.
Awe yay! Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy them just as much as we did!
I think with a few tweaks, I can make this gluten free, I cannot wait to give them a try. They look so yummy, plus my husband loves craisins so I know he will love them too!
Oh yay! I hope you can find a way to make them gluten free because they really are delicious!
My mouth is watering! These look delicious, Charity and seem easy to make! Thanks for the idea and the tutorial.
Awe thank you so much! They are pretty easy to make for sure!
Oh my goodness, Charity! You have my mouth watering for these tasty-looking bars! I’m adding them to my recipe list right now! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you, you definitely should try them out! They are delicious!
Ummm… yes, please! š I just pinned this one as well!
You’re the best! Thank you!!