Starbucks-Inspired Cranberry Bliss Bars You Can Make at Home.

Cranberry Bliss Bars turn classic flavors into a dessert that’s equal parts sweet, tart, and creamy. These bars are inspired by the ones from Starbucks, but homemade means you get them fresher and just the way you like. Dense white chocolate brownies, smooth frosting, and a sprinkle of cranberries make each bite rich without being heavy.

Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars, But Better

Every year, Starbucks brings out those Cranberry Bliss Bars, and suddenly it feels like the holidays again. But here’s the thing, homemade tastes fresher, softer, and just plain better.

You get all that sweet-tart creaminess you love, but with a buttery white chocolate base that actually tastes like something you baked, not bought.

These are my kind of bars, rich, soft, and just the right amount of sweetness. Think chewy white chocolate blondies, thick cream cheese frosting, and a scatter of cranberries.

You’re using real ingredients, like a chopped bar of white chocolate, for a smoother melt and dried cranberries that add a tart pop in every bite.

While developing this recipe, I wanted to create a richer base than what you get at Starbucks. I found my white chocolate brownies were the way to go to make them rich and not too sweet. I left out the white chocolate chips and added dried cranberries instead.

The frosting is more than just a finishing touch. It’s thick and creamy from real cream cheese, lightly sweetened with powdered sugar and melted white chocolate. More melted white chocolate is drizzled on top, for the perfect finish.

These cranberry bars are a staple on holiday cookie trays, but once you taste them, you’ll find a reason to make them well past December.

Pantry Staples Plus Festive Touches

These cranberry bars with white chocolate are so easy to make and only require a few basic pantry staples. Make sure to check the recipe card for the full list of ingredients.

• White chocolate: Use a bar of chocolate for the smoothest melting and best flavor in both the batter and topping. You can use white chocolate chips in a pinch. 
• Sweetened dried cranberries: These add a tart flavor and are dotted throughout and on top of the bars.

The Method to the Bliss

Step One: Prepare the Base

I couldn’t live without this 8 cup measuring bowl. I use it for everything.

Step Two: Cool and Frost

Step Three: Top and Drizzle

These white chocolate cranberry bars are one of those desserts you’ll find yourself making long after the holidays are over.

Starbucks-Inspired Cranberry Bliss Bars You Can Make at Home.

Cranberry Bliss Bars turn classic flavors into a dessert that’s equal parts sweet, tart, and creamy. These bars are inspired by the ones from Starbucks, but homemade means you get them fresher and just the way you like. Dense white chocolate brownies, smooth frosting, and a sprinkle of cranberries make each bite sweet and tart.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 24

Calories: 335kcal

Author: Barbara Curry

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 6 ounces white chocolate chopped
• 1 ¼ cup sugar
• 4 eggs room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries

Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 4 ounces cream cheese softened
• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 4 ounces white chocolate chopped, (divided)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup sweetened dried cranberries

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350º. Line a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• Break up 6 ounces of white chocolate into pieces in a measuring cup and add 1 cup of butter. Microwave at 50% power for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until it has just melted. Allow to cool slightly.
• Add sugar and whisk until incorporated, then whisk in eggs and vanilla, whisking until it is smooth and well combined. Add the flour, baking powder and salt and whisk until combined. Fold in the dried cranberries. Pour into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs and the top is golden brown. Let it cool completely on a wire rack. Remove from the pan once it has cooled.

Frosting

• Break up 2 ounces of white chocolate in a measuring cup and microwave at 50% power for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until it has just melted. Allow to cool slightly.
• Add 1/2 cup of butter and 4 ounces of cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on medium-high until smooth, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add salt and gradually add powdered sugar. Once incorporated, add the cooled white chocolate and vanilla and increase the speed to medium-high. Beat until smooth and creamy, about 2 more minutes. Spread over the cooled bars and sprinkle with dried cranberries. Place in the freezer or refrigerator for about 15 minutes until the frosting has set.
• Add the remaining 2 ounces of white chocolate to a measuring cup and microwave at 50% power for 2 minutes until melted. Allow to cool. Add to a piping bag and pipe over the frosting. Refrigerate for a few minutes to allow the white chocolate to set. Cut into triangles or squares.

Notes

• A white chocolate bar works best for these, it melts smoother than white chocolate chips. 
• Use sweetened dried cranberries.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 461IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @easy.southern.desserts or tag #easysoutherndesserts!