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Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars (Better Copycat) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 142 reviews

These Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars copycat a beloved seasonal treat with a chewy, spiced blondie base loaded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting infused with orange zest and melted white chocolate. Finished with extra cranberries and a drizzle of white chocolate, these bars offer a perfect balance of tart, sweet, and creamy flavors that are easy to make at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Bars

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¾ cup dried cranberries (roughly chopped)
  • ¾ cup white chocolate chips (or chopped white chocolate)

Frosting

  • 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 3 oz white chocolate (melted and slightly cooled)
  • ¼ tsp salt

Topping

  • ¼ cup dried cranberries (roughly chopped)
  • 1 oz white chocolate (melted for drizzle)
  • Extra orange zest (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to facilitate easy removal of the bars later.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and packed light brown sugar until smooth and combined, about 1 minute. Then, add in the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is combined well.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon until evenly mixed.
  4. Fold Dry into Wet: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the texture tender. Next, fold in the roughly chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter.
  5. Spread Batter: Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use the back of a spatula to smooth the top as much as possible since the batter is thick.
  6. Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 22-26 minutes. The edges should be set and lightly golden. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. The center might seem slightly underdone; that’s okay as it will set while cooling. For perfect doneness, the internal temperature should reach 200-202°F.
  7. Cool Completely: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour to set properly.
  8. Make the Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue mixing until smooth. Then mix in vanilla extract, orange zest, melted white chocolate, and salt until the frosting is creamy and fully combined.
  9. Frost the Bars: Spread the frosting evenly over the completely cooled bars with an offset spatula or knife.
  10. Add Toppings: Sprinkle the roughly chopped dried cranberries on top of the frosting. Drizzle with the melted white chocolate in a crosshatch or zigzag pattern. Optionally, sprinkle some fresh orange zest for an extra burst of fresh citrus aroma.
  11. Chill: Refrigerate the frosted bars for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set firmly before cutting.
  12. Cut and Serve: Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into 16 squares or triangular shapes similar to Starbucks style. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • For best texture, use room temperature eggs and softened cream cheese and butter.
  • Be careful not to overbake the bars to keep them chewy and moist.
  • The orange zest in both batter and frosting adds a lovely bright citrus note that complements the cranberries and white chocolate.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Frozen bars can be thawed overnight in the fridge before serving.
  • Adjust white chocolate amount based on your sweetness preference.

Keywords: Cranberry Bliss Bars, Starbucks copycat, white chocolate bars, cream cheese frosting, holiday dessert, cranberry bars

Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/starbucks-cranberry-bliss-bars-better-copycat-recipe/