I was a Starbucks barista quite a few years ago now. It was a job I actually really enjoyed looking back on it and Christmastime always had the best treats! Their Cranberry Bliss Bars were and still are one of my favourite holiday treats. They are decadent, sweet, and a nice break from all the chocolate.
I knew when my barista days were over that I had to try making these bars at home. It’s taken a few years to get them just right, but I think last year I finally nailed it. My Starbucks-Inspired Cranberry Bliss Bars are just as good as the real thing and are sure to impress your guests over the holidays.
To make them, you’ll need: butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, baking powder, flour, dried cranberries, and white chocolate chips for the bars. Everything gets mixed together and pressed into a 9×13 pan. It then gets baked and cooled before topping with cream cheese frosting.
For the frosting, you’ll need: cream cheese, orange zest, and icing sugar. Once you frost the bars, top them with more dried cranberries and refrigerate them for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving!
Cranberry Bliss Bars
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- 3/4 Cup Melted Butter
- 1.5 Cups Granulated Sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
- 1/8 Tsp Cinnamon
- 1.5 Tsp Baking Powder
- 2 Cups Flour
- 1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries
- 1 Cup White Chocolate Chips
For the Frosting:
- 8 Ounces Cream Cheese, softened
- Zest of 1 Small Orange
- 1 Cup Icing Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- Grease a 9x13 baking dish and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the melted butter and sugar.
- Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder. Stir until well combined.
- Slowly add in the flour and stir until well combined.
- Fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries and mix until just combined.
- Press the dough into the baking dish so that it evenly covers the entire bottom.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, in a medium bowl, mix the icing sugar and cream cheese together until well mixed.
- Mix in the orange zest and evenly frost the cookie bars.
- Top with dried cranberries and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Slice into bars and serve!
These bars are so festive and absolutely beautiful. Whether you’re adding them to a cookie box to gift or setting them out at a party, make a great option. They’re soft, rich, and so delicious. The subtle notes of orange pair perfectly with the cranberry and white chocolate.
