• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Restless Chipotle

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Start Here
    • Ingredients Substitutions
    • Tips for Measuring Ingredients Accurately
  • About
  • Shop
  • Your Recipe Box
  • Meal Plans
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • My Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Start Here!
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • My Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Start Here!
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
×

Home » Recipes » Bars

Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bar

Published: Oct 10, 2022 Last Updated: Oct 26, 2022 by Marye 1532 words. | About 8 minutes to read this article.

Even better than Starbucks! These rich, chewy Cranberry Bliss Bars are perfect for the holidays
Total time 30 minutes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Overhead view of cranberry bliss bars with text overlay for Pinterest.

Whether you're enjoying these with your favorite Hallmark movie or adding them to homemade cookie trays - everyone loves these festive bars.

Overhead view of cranberry bliss bars
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📖 Variations
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📞 The last word
  • Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • Blondie base with dried cranberries is soft and chewy.
  • A favorite coffee shop treat without leaving your cozy home.
  • Luscious cream cheese frosting with sweet chunks of white chocolate.

Copycat Starbucks cranberry bliss bars taste just like the original recipe (ok, maybe better), but fresher, cheaper, and with the satisfaction that only comes from a homemade version.

A touch of orange zest gives them a touch of bright flavor.

Good any time of year, but a family favorite treat during the holiday season.

Try these Santa's Whiskers Cookies, too.

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Overhead view of ingredients listed

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Overhead view of cranberry bliss bars step by step.
  1. Beat together butter and sugars until light.
  2. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients.
  3. Fold in the white chocolate and dried cranberries.
  4. Smooth into the prepared pan and bake.
Step by step for frosting
  1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
  2. Add vanilla until powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
  3. Spread on the cooled bars.
  4. Sprinkle with chopped cranberries and orange zest then drizzle with melted white chocolate.

🥫 Storage

These yummy white chocolate cranberry bars can be covered and stored at room temperature for a day or so.

They'll keep for four to five days in the refrigerator.

You can also freeze the bars to enjoy them with no baking time at all! They'll last for two to three months. Store between layers of parchment paper to keep them in perfect condition!

Either way, put them in an airtight container or wrap them with plastic wrap for best results and microwave them for a few seconds to warm. Don't forget to serve with peppermint mochas!

Overhead shot of cranberry bliss bars with fork over them drizzling white chocolate over them.

📖 Variations

There are plenty of ways that you can make these frosted cookie bars your own, but the more variations you make, the less they'll be like Starbucks' cranberry bliss bars.

  • You can use white chocolate chips instead of a chopped chocolate bar.
  • Swap cranberries for dried raisins, if you prefer.
  • Drizzle with another type of melted chocolate - dark or milk.
  • If you can't find candied ginger, increase the ground ginger a bit.
  • You can use 1 teaspoon of orange extract instead of the zest.
  • For the white chocolate drizzle, you can use white chocolate candy melts or almond bark.
  • You don't have to cut the bars into triangles unless you're aiming for an exact copycat Starbucks recipe. Try small squares or even a fun shape with cookie cutters, instead.

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: Don't overbake the cranberry bliss bars. They'll set up and harden as they cool, so don't be nervous if they feel soft straight out of the oven.

  • By leaving extra foil hanging over the edges of the pan, you can easily lift the bars up and out, onto the rack to cool.
  • Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, don't overmix. It can make your bars tough. Just combine until there are little (or no) streaks remaining in the batter.
  • The batter is kind of thick, but that's okay! Just work it into the pan as best as you can.
  • Organic oranges are best for zest. Give the orange peel a little scratch and if it's super fragrant, the zest will be more flavorful.
  • Use the double boiler method when melting chocolate for best results.
  • However, you can melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Use the defrost setting (or 50% power) and stir often to prevent burning.
  • Place a piece of parchment paper underneath your wire rack before drizzling the Starbucks bars with melted white chocolate. Then, you can scrape the excess white chocolate off of the parchment paper and reuse it or add it to the remaining white chocolate for later.
  • Cut a small hole out of the corner of a plastic bag to create a make-shift piping bag for the white chocolate drizzle.
  • You can also just use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate over top of the cooled bars. No matter how it looks, they'll still taste amazing.
Overhead view of cranberry bliss bars stacked on white plate

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Does this Starbucks cranberry bliss bar recipe taste like the real thing?

It really does taste like the true Starbucks version. The best part is that you can make a whole batch for almost the cost of one in-store!

Can I use a jelly roll pan?

Yes! A jelly roll pan is similar to a baking sheet, and you can definitely use one for this recipe. The cranberry bliss bars puff a little, but they won't overflow the sides of the pan.

📚 Related recipes

  • Chocolate Chip Gooey Butter Bars are better eaten than explained, but I'll try: shortbread cookie dough with browned butter, chocolate chips, and a gooey cheesecake topping—they're slap yo' momma good.
  • If you like chewy cookies, chocolate, and meringue, these sweet and salty Old Fashioned Hoosier Peanut Bars are for you.
  • One of my family's favorite holiday recipes, Cranberry Oatmeal White Chocolate Cookies truly have it all—nuts, fruits, and chocolate! Yum!
  • This cute Christmas brownies recipe is perfect for movie night!
  • A collection of the finished Halloween Rice Krispie Treats on sticks.
    Halloween Rice Krispie Treats
  • Stack of brownies with pecans.
    Chewy Brownie Recipe
  • Close up of decorated brownies.
    Vanilla Brownies Recipe
  • Stack of oatmeal bar cookies with chocolate frosting.
    Best Ever Oh Henry Bars Recipe

🍽️ Serve with...

  • Apple Cheddar Cheese Holiday Appetizer
  • Crock Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
  • Copycat Caramel Brulee Latte

📞 The last word

Vanilla Scones are another Starbucks copycat recipe you'll love!

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overhead shot of cranberry bliss bars on white plate.
4.50 from 4 votes

Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars

Print Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
Prevent your screen from going dark
Even better than Starbucks! These rich, chewy Cranberry Bliss Bars are perfect for the holidays
Course Bar cookies
Cuisine American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings:24
Calories:390
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Stand mixer
  • Baking Sheet

Ingredients

Blondie Bar

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ cup dried cranberries , or Craisins
  • ¼ cup candied ginger, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon orange rind, grated
  • 1 cup white chocolate, coarsely chopped

Frosting

  • 4 oz . cream cheese, room temp
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp
  • 3 cups Confectioner's sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Drizzle

  • 10 ounces white chocolate chips, about 4 ½ cups
  • 1 tablespoon Crisco, plain/unflavored

Topping

  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup white chocolate, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest, grated

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

Blondie Bars

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Prepare a 10x15 pan by lining it with aluminum foil with 2 inches extending over each end.
  • Spray with non-stick spray.
  • Beat together the butter and sugars until light - this will take about 3 minutes.
  • Blend in eggs and vanilla extract.
  • Add the flour, baking powder, and ginger and mix well.
  • Fold in the cranberries, candied ginger,orange peel,and chopped white chocolate.
  • Do not over mix.
  • Spread thick batter in prepared 10x15 pan.
  • Bake 350 for 20-24 minutes until light brown at edges and a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
  • Let cool.

Frosting

  • Beat cream cheese and butter together until fluffy.
  • Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar and beat until frosting is a good consistency for spreading on the bars. You can add a teaspoon or so of milk if it is too thick.
  • Spread the frosting over the cooled bars.

Topping

  • Use a zester to grate the rind of an orange and sprinkle zest over the frosting on the bars.
  • Chop ½ cup cup of Craisins coarsely.
  • Sprinkle over frosted bars.

Drizzle

  • Pour white chocolate in a bowl set over simmering water.
  • Once the chocolate has completely melted add the Crisco and stir until completely combined.
  • If chocolate isn't thin enough add more Crisco, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach desired consistency.
  • Use a fork or whisk to drizzle the white chocolate diagonally across the bars.
  • Let the chocolate set for at least an hour.
  • Cut into triangles.

Notes

Storage:
You can store these bars for a day or so at room temperature. For longer than that be sure to refrigerate. You can also freeze for up to 3 months.
Tips:
Be sure that you don't overbake these or they will be dry as sawdust.
  • By leaving extra foil hanging over the edges of the pan, you can easily lift the bars up and out, onto the rack to cool and cut easily.
  • Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, don't overmix. 
  • The batter is kind of thick, but that's okay! Just work it into the pan as best as you can.
  • Organic oranges are best for zest. Give the orange peel a little scratch and if it's super fragrant, the zest will be more flavorful.
  • Place a piece of parchment paper underneath your wire rack before drizzling the Starbucks bars with melted white chocolate. Then, you can scrape the excess white chocolate off of the parchment paper and reuse it or add it to the remaining white chocolate for later.
  • Cut a small hole out of the corner of a plastic bag to create a make-shift piping bag for the white chocolate drizzle.
  • You can also just use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate over top of the cooled bars. No matter how it looks, they'll still taste amazing.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 135mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 369IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

    We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.

    First published December 5, 2012. Last updated September October 10, 2022 for updated images.

    More Cookie Bar Recipes

    • Lemon bars coolingin the pan.
      Easy Lemon Bars Recipe with Gingersnap Crust
    • The BEST cookie dough brownies ever! Toffee and pecans are stirred into the eggless cookie dough. It's spread over chewy brownies and topped with dark chocolate ganache. from RestlessChipotle.com
      Pecan Toffee Cookie Dough Brownies
    • Chocolate chip gooey butter bars are made from scratch without cake mix...restlesschipotle.com
      Chocolate Chip Gooey Butter Bars
    • A peanut butter swirled brownie on a plate.
      Peanut Butter m&m Brownies
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




    Primary Sidebar

    Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

    Hey Y'all, I'm Marye.

    NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies.

    More about me →

    🐰 Easter

    • Closeup of a finished roll for the feature image.
      Easy Easter Rolls
    • Easter chicks cookies in a dish.
      Nutter Butter Easter Chicks
    • Very close shot of pineapple casserole showing the texture of the cracker crumb topping.
      Southern Pineapple Casserole Recipe
    • A cropped view of this recipe in a glass bowl for the feature image.
      Banana Pudding Recipe from Scratch

    👑 Reader Favorites

    • A marble plate displays a strawberry bundt cake with 2 slices cut to show the red cake color.
      Strawberry Pound Cake Recipe
    • Wooden spatula removing fried potatoes out of iron skillet.
      Crispy Fried Potatoes
    • A sliced loaf of english muffin bread.
      English Muffin Bread Recipe
    • Two finished loaves of Amish white bread cooling on a table.
      No Fail Amish White Bread

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Marye Audet-White
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

    Featured in:

    Companies that Marye Audet-White and Restless Chipotle have been affiliated with.

    Contact Marye

    • Contact

    My new blog for bread bakers:

    Love baking bread? Click here to check out my new blog!

    Logo for breadcrumbs in the butter blog.
    Check out my new blog!

    Copyright ©2006 - 2023 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC