Homemade Cranberry Bliss Bars: A Small Batch Starbucks Copycat Recipe

The holiday season often brings with it cravings for cozy, festive treats, and for many, Starbucks’ Cranberry Bliss Bars are at the top of that list. While we eagerly await their seasonal appearance at the coffee shop, there’s no need to wait to indulge in their delightful flavors. This recipe offers a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying copycat version, perfectly baked in an 8-inch square pan, allowing you to enjoy these beloved bars right in your own kitchen. Our homemade rendition offers a unique twist with a slightly darker, richer base and the warm, spicy notes of ginger instead of the traditional orange. However, if you’re a fan of that classic citrus brightness, a little orange zest can easily be added to tailor the flavor to your preference. Get ready to fill your home with the inviting aroma of sweet cranberries, decadent white chocolate, and subtle spice!

Making your own Cranberry Bliss Bars isn’t just about satisfying a craving; it’s about embracing the joy of homemade baking. You get to control the quality of ingredients, adjust sweetness to your liking, and ensure every bite is packed with fresh flavor. This small-batch approach is ideal for those who want a delicious treat without a mountain of leftovers, making it perfect for a cozy weekend indulgence or a small gathering. Forget the long lines and embrace the bliss of baking these festive bars from scratch.

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Inspired by Taste of Home: Our Unique Cranberry Bars

This delightful copycat recipe draws its initial inspiration from a beloved White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies recipe found on Taste of Home. While we appreciate the foundational elements, our version has been thoughtfully adapted and refined to create an even more streamlined and distinctly flavored “bliss bar.” Key modifications include halving the original recipe to perfectly fit an 8-inch square pan, making it ideal for smaller households or when you simply crave a manageable batch of treats. We’ve also simplified the process by turning it into a convenient one-bowl recipe, cutting down on dishes and making cleanup a breeze.

One of the most significant departures from the original and even from the traditional Starbucks version is our choice to incorporate crystallized ginger. This adds a wonderful warmth and subtle spicy kick that beautifully complements the tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate, creating a depth of flavor that is truly unique. Additionally, we opt for a classic cream cheese frosting, foregoing the white chocolate cream cheese frosting. With a generous amount of white chocolate chunks already mixed into the bars themselves, the rich, tangy cream cheese frosting provides the perfect balance without overwhelming the palate. The combination results in a bar that is incredibly satisfying, showcasing a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

For those who enjoy exploring different copycat variations, you might also be interested in an older Cranberry Bliss Bars clone recipe we developed previously, designed for a larger 15×10 inch pan. It offers a different approach and is perfect if you need to serve a bigger crowd or want to compare the nuances of different homemade versions.

Essential Tips for Baking the Perfect Small Batch Cranberry Bliss Bars

Achieving bakery-quality cranberry bliss bars at home is easier than you think, especially with a few key tips in mind. Paying attention to these details will ensure your small-batch bars turn out perfectly dense, chewy, and bursting with flavor.

Flour Choice for a Tender Crumb: For a slightly softer, more tender crumb that melts in your mouth, we recommend using a lower protein all-purpose flour. Brands like Gold Medal or Pillsbury are excellent choices. Bleached flour is often preferred for its finer texture, which contributes to a more delicate result in baked goods like these bars. This helps prevent the bars from becoming tough, ensuring they have that characteristic “blissful” texture.
Embrace or Adjust the Citrus Notes: Our recipe highlights the warmth of ginger, offering a distinct flavor profile from Starbucks’ orange-infused bars. However, if you adore the bright, zesty taste of orange, don’t hesitate to add a teaspoon or two of fresh orange zest to your batter. This simple addition can significantly elevate the citrus notes and bring a familiar tang that many associate with classic cranberry treats.
Mixing for Density, Not Lightness: These bars are intentionally designed to be dense and chewy, not light and airy like a cake. The key to achieving this perfect texture is to avoid over-mixing. Once you’ve added the dry ingredients, mix just until everything is combined and no streaks of flour remain. Whipping the batter introduces too much air, which can lead to a cakier, less satisfying bar. Use a wooden spoon or a sturdy spatula for mixing rather than an electric mixer after the wet ingredients are combined.
Customize Cranberry and White Chocolate Amounts: The quantities of dried cranberries and white chocolate specified in the recipe are merely suggestions. Feel free to adjust these amounts according to your personal taste preferences. If you’re a true cranberry enthusiast, add a little extra for a more pronounced tartness. Likewise, if you can’t get enough of rich, sweet white chocolate, increase the chunks to ensure every bite is extra decadent. Quality white chocolate, cut into substantial chunks, will provide the best melt and flavor distribution.

Following these tips will help you create a batch of Cranberry Bliss Bars that are not only delicious but also perfectly textured, offering that ideal balance of chewiness, sweetness, and festive flavor.

Recipe

Small Batch Cranberry Bliss Bars Copycats

Cookie Madness

These homemade Small Batch Cranberry Bliss Bars are a delightful Starbucks copycat, perfectly sized for an 8-inch square pan. Our version boasts a slightly darker, richer base with the warm, comforting spice of ginger, offering a wonderful alternative to the traditional orange zest. These bars are loaded with sweet white chocolate and tart dried cranberries, all topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, making them an irresistible holiday treat that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy.

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Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Ingredients

6 tablespoons salted or unsalted butter (85 grams, melted and cooled)
¾ cup packed brown sugar (150 grams; light or dark brown sugar will work)
1 large egg, room temperature
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ teaspoon baking powder
⅛ teaspoon salt (increase to ¼ teaspoon if using unsalted butter)
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup plus 2 T. all-purpose flour (145 grams; preferably a lower protein flour like Gold Medal or Pillsbury for a softer crumb)
2 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger (double the amount if you are a big fan of ginger flavor)
⅓ cup dried cranberries (use more if you desire extra tartness and chewiness)
2-3 oz white chocolate (cut into chunks for better melt and distribution)

Frosting

4 oz softened cream cheese (114 grams, full-fat recommended for best texture)
2 tablespoons softened butter (28 grams)
1 ½ cups sifted confectioners’ sugar (sifting prevents lumps and ensures a smooth frosting)
½ teaspoon vanilla (pure vanilla extract for best flavor)
Optional: Extra white chocolate for drizzling (for an extra touch of elegance and flavor)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8-inch square baking pan by lightly greasing it, then lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift the bars out later. Alternatively, you can line it with aluminum foil and grease the bottom of the foil.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled melted butter and packed brown sugar. Stir them together until thoroughly mixed and smooth.
Using a sturdy wooden spoon or a heavy-duty rubber scraper, beat in the room temperature egg and vanilla extract until well incorporated. Ensure the egg is fully mixed into the sugar mixture.
Add the baking powder and cinnamon to the wet ingredients and stir until evenly distributed. Next, gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing just until it is incorporated and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix. Finally, gently fold in the dried cranberries, chopped crystallized ginger, and white chocolate chunks.
Spread the thick batter evenly into your prepared 8-inch pan. Bake for 18-21 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking, as this can lead to dry bars. Once baked, remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
While the bars are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar, beating until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Stir in the vanilla extract. Once the bars are completely cool, spread the luscious frosting evenly over the top. If desired, sprinkle with extra dried cranberries for garnish. Chill the frosted bars in the refrigerator for about an hour to allow the icing to set slightly.
Store the Cranberry Bliss Bars in an airtight covered container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You might find that the bars develop an even better texture and deeper flavor after they’ve sat, covered, for a day or so, as the flavors meld together beautifully.

Notes

Optional White Chocolate Drizzle: For an extra touch of elegance and white chocolate flavor, consider adding a drizzle over the top of the frosted bars. To do this, melt some white chocolate in the microwave. If you’re using white chocolate bars or good quality chips, you can usually melt them without any additional oil. Use a medium power setting and stir every 30 seconds until smooth. If you are using white chocolate chips that tend to be thicker, you might want to toss them with a tiny bit (about ½ teaspoon) of coconut oil before microwaving, following the same medium setting and 30-second stir intervals. Once melted and smooth, drizzle it artfully across the top of the frosted bars.

Cutting and Serving: After the frosting has set (especially if you’ve added a white chocolate drizzle), lift the entire slab of bars from the pan using the parchment paper overhang. This makes cutting much easier and cleaner. Place the slab on a cutting board and cut it into desired shapes. While squares are traditional for bars, for a true “bliss bar” experience, cut them into triangles, reminiscent of the Starbucks classic. Serve at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

Ingredient Quality Matters: Using good quality white chocolate will make a noticeable difference in the flavor of your bars. Opt for baking bars over candy melts if possible. Similarly, fresh cream cheese and butter are key for a luscious, smooth frosting.

Make Ahead and Freeze: These Cranberry Bliss Bars freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled and frosted (and drizzled, if desired), cut them into individual portions. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, transfer the frozen bars to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for an hour or two before serving. This makes them a perfect make-ahead treat for holiday entertaining!

Keyword Starbucks, Cranberry Bliss Bars, Copycat, Homemade, Ginger, White Chocolate, Cream Cheese Frosting, Small Batch Dessert

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There you have it – a magnificent small-batch copycat Cranberry Bliss Bar recipe that allows you to enjoy the festive flavors of your favorite coffee shop treat, right in the comfort of your home. With its rich, chewy ginger-infused base, sweet white chocolate, tart cranberries, and a generous layer of tangy cream cheese frosting, these bars are truly a taste of bliss. They’re perfect for sharing with loved ones, enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea, or simply treating yourself to a moment of seasonal indulgence. We encourage you to experiment with the flavors and make them truly your own. Happy baking!