Cranberry Bliss Bars {Starbucks Copycat Recipe}
User Reviews
4.9
Cranberry Bliss Bars {Starbucks Copycat Recipe}
Description
The Cranberry Bliss Bars replicate the Starbucks favorite by combining a lightly spiced dough made with melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and extracts of orange and vanilla. White chocolate chips and Craisins blend into the batter to provide sweet and tart contrast. Baking in a parchment-lined pan produces soft bars with golden edges when not overbaked. After cooling, a cream cheese frosting with powdered sugar and orange and vanilla extracts is spread on top, then finished with chopped Craisins and a drizzle of melted white baking chocolate or almond bark for decoration. This combination yields moist bars with a silky, tangy frosting and fruity notes.
These bars can be sliced and served for dessert or with coffee. The bars' softness and creamy topping make them convenient for gathering or gifting, with thickness varying by pan size, from thinner in a larger pan to Starbucks-typical thickness in a 9x13 pan.
For storage, keep sliced bars refrigerated up to five days or freeze well wrapped for up to three months. The use of orange extract is key to replicating the signature flavor, though zest and juice can be substituted. The frosting is thinner than the Starbucks version but firms when chilled, and can be thickened by adding additional powdered sugar. Lining the pan with parchment paper with overhang aids removal and slicing.
Ingredients
Bars:
- 1 cup butter 2 sticks, melted
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar packed
- 2 egg
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup craisins
Frosting and Topping:
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup craisins roughly chopped
- 2 white baking chocolate melted, or almond bark, squares
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 15x10 or 13x9 inch jelly roll pan or rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper. *see notes
- Beat together melted butter and brown sugar over medium speed with an electric mixer. Add in eggs, 1 tsp orange extract, and 1 tsp vanilla extract and beat until mixed well. Add in ground ginger, baking powder, salt, and flour, beating until just blended. Don't overmix.
- Stir in white chocolate chips and Craisins by hand. Spread evenly into the bottom of prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes until set and golden brown at the edges. Don't overbake or bars will be hard. Remove from oven and place pan on a wire rack to cool. Allow bars to cool completely before topping with frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add 1/2 tsp orange extract and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and mix well. Top cooled bars with frosting. Sprinkle with chopped Craisins and drizzle white chocolate over the top with a fork. I dip my fork into the chocolate then shake it gently over the top of the bars to create little streaks. You can either slice right away and enjoy, or place the bars in the refrigerator for about an hour (what I like to do) to help them set up before cutting. Cut into triangles and enjoy!
Notes
- Use a 9x13 inch rimmed baking pan for bars thicker and closer to the Starbucks original; a 15x10 pan yields thinner bars.
- Line the pan with parchment paper extending over the sides to lift bars out easily for slicing.
- Orange extract is essential for authentic flavor; if unavailable, substitute with 1 tsp orange zest plus 1 tsp orange juice.
- For a thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar—about half a cup extra.
- Store sliced bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days or freeze for up to three months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- You can swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend to make these bars gluten-free.
- Use either white baking chocolate or almond bark melted for the drizzle topping; melt gently in the microwave and drizzle with a fork.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 289 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 289kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 45mg | 15% |
| Sodium | 163mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 89mg | 2% |
| Sugar | 29g | 58% |
| Vitamin A | 385IU | 8% |
| Calcium | 49mg | 5% |
| Iron | 0.8mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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