Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars

This easy Cranberry Bliss Bars recipe lets you enjoy the Starbucks holiday treat at home! A chewy cookie base with dried cranberries, white chocolate, and a hint of orange zest is topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting and a drizzle of white chocolate. Perfect for dessert, a holiday party, or a sweet snack!

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Ingredients Needed:

Cookie Bar Base:

• 6 ounces unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 cup dried cranberries chopped
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons finely minced crystallized ginger

Frosting:

• 3 ounces cream cheese softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Topping:

• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 4 ounces white chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil

How To Make Cranberry Bliss Bars?

1. Preheat the oven: Set to 160°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugar: Beat softened butter and brown sugar in a bowl until smooth.
3. Mix in flavors: Add salt, orange zest, and vanilla, mixing well.
4. Add eggs: Beat in eggs and yolk one at a time until fully combined.
5. Combine with flour: Add self-rising flour and mix until just combined.
6. Fold in mix-ins: Stir in dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and crystallized ginger.
7. Bake the bars: Spread the dough evenly in the pan and bake for 10 minutes. Rotate the pan and bake for another 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Let cool completely.
8. Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, salt, and orange zest, mixing until smooth. Stir in lemon juice.
9. Frost the bars: Spread frosting over the cooled cookie base in an even layer.
10. Add the toppings: Sprinkle dried cranberries over the frosting. Melt white chocolate and vegetable oil in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between. Drizzle over the bars using a zip-top bag.
11. Chill and cut: Refrigerate for 1 hour to set. Trim the edges, then cut into squares and triangles as desired.

Recipe Tips:

• Use Soft Butter for a Smooth Dough: Make sure your butter is at room temperature before mixing. Cold butter won’t blend well, and melted butter can make the bars greasy.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix until just combined after adding the flour. Overmixing can make the bars dense and tough instead of soft and chewy.
• Chop Cranberries for Even Flavor: Whole dried cranberries can be too chewy in the bars. Chopping them into smaller pieces helps spread the flavor in every bite.
• Let the Bars Cool Completely Before Frosting: If the bars are even slightly warm, the frosting will melt and become runny. For best results, cool them fully before adding the frosting and toppings.
• Chill Before Cutting for Clean Slices: Refrigerating the bars for at least an hour before cutting helps the frosting and chocolate set. This prevents smudging and gives you neat, bakery-style slices.

How To Store Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Let the Cranberry Bliss Bars cool to room temperature first. Then, place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Once cooled, wrap each bar in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 145 kcal
• Total Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 21mg
• Sodium: 41mg
• Potassium: 38mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 22g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 17g
• Protein: 1g