Name: Irresistible 2-Step Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe for Holidays
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp ground ginger; 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup dried cranberries; 1/2 cup white chocolate chips; 8 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting); 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting); 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting); 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped (for topping); 1/4 cup white chocolate chips (for topping); Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Jump to Recipe

Every December, I’d stand in that famous green-and-white line, practically buzzing with excitement for Starbucks’ holiday treats. But nothing made my heart race like their Cranberry Bliss Bars – that perfect combo of soft blondie, tangy cranberries, and dreamy cream cheese frosting. Last year, in a fit of holiday spirit (and let’s be honest, frugality), I decided to crack the code at home.

After six batches – some too dry, others suspiciously cake-like – I finally nailed it. The secret? A generous hand with the white chocolate chips and letting the bars cool completely before frosting (learned that the messy way). Now my kitchen smells like a festive bakery, and these copycat bars disappear faster than you can say “extra whipped cream.”

What makes them special? That melt-in-your-mouth texture from perfectly melted butter, pops of chewy cranberry, and frosting so fluffy you’ll want to eat it with a spoon. They’re everything you love about the Starbucks version, but somehow better because they’re yours.

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never wait in that Starbucks line again! Here’s why:

Better than store-bought – All that festive flavor you love, but fresher and more buttery
Surprisingly easy – Just mix, bake, and frost (no fancy skills needed)
The perfect holiday treat – That gorgeous white chocolate and cranberry combo makes everyone feel festive
Crowd-pleaser magic – I bring these to every holiday party and they disappear first every time

Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe Ingredients

Grab these simple ingredients and let’s make some holiday magic happen! I’ve separated everything by base and frosting so you can prep like a pro.

For the Blondie Base:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (that glorious golden color means it’s ready)
1 cup brown sugar, packed (press it into the cup – no air pockets!)
2 large eggs (room temperature blends better)
1 tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff, please)
1/2 tsp ground ginger (our secret holiday spice)
1/2 tsp cinnamon (warm and cozy flavor)
1/4 tsp salt (balances all that sweetness)
1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled, no packing)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (I chop mine slightly for better distribution)
1/2 cup white chocolate chips (don’t skimp – they make the bars!)

For the Frosting & Topping:

8 oz cream cheese, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes)
1 cup powdered sugar (sifted if you’re feeling fancy)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (yes, more vanilla!)
1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped (for that pretty sprinkle on top)
1/4 cup white chocolate chips (extra holiday sparkle)
Optional: powdered sugar for dusting (like winter snow on your bars)

Ingredient Substitutions & Notes

No cranberries? Dried cherries work beautifully. Dairy-free? Use vegan cream cheese and butter. That melted butter gives these bars their signature texture – don’t substitute oil! And listen – cheap white chocolate won’t melt properly, so splurge on the good stuff here.

How to Make Cranberry Bliss Bars

Okay, let’s get baking! These bars come together in three simple steps, but that cooling time is crucial – I learned that the hard way when my first batch turned into a frosting puddle. Follow these steps, and you’ll have perfect holiday treats every time.

Step 1: Prepare the Blondie Base

First, grab that 9×9-inch pan – it’s the perfect size for thick, bakery-style bars. Grease it well (I use butter and a light flour dusting). Now, in a big bowl, whisk together your melted butter and packed brown sugar until it looks like caramel sauce. Add eggs one at a time, then that glorious vanilla.

In another bowl, mix the ginger, cinnamon, salt, and flour. Gradually stir this into your wet ingredients – don’t overmix! Gently fold in the cranberries and white chocolate chips. The batter will be thick and dreamy.

Step 2: Bake and Cool

Spread your batter evenly in the pan – it’ll be about 1-inch thick. Bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes. Peek at 18 minutes – the edges should be golden and pulling away slightly from the pan. The center will still look soft, but that’s perfect!

Here’s the hard part: let it cool COMPLETELY. Like, walk-away-for-an-hour completely. I set mine on a wire rack and distract myself with holiday movies. Warm bars + cream cheese frosting = sad, melty mess.

Step 3: Frost and Decorate

Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla. Whip it until fluffy – about 2 minutes. Spread this cloud of joy over your cooled bars. Immediately sprinkle with chopped cranberries and white chocolate chips so they stick. For extra magic, drizzle melted white chocolate over the top! Cut into triangles (just like Starbucks) or squares if you’re feeling rebellious.

Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe Tips for Success

After making these bars more times than I can count (holiday gifts, anyone?), I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference:

Room temp eggs are non-negotiable – Cold eggs make the batter seize up. I leave mine out while preheating the oven.
Chill before cutting – Pop frosted bars in the fridge for 30 minutes for picture-perfect slices that won’t crumble.
Underbake slightly – Take them out when the edges are set but the center still looks a tiny bit underdone. They’ll firm up perfectly as they cool.

Bonus tip: Double the batch and freeze half – these disappear faster than holiday cookies!

Storing Your Cranberry Bliss Bars

Here’s the thing about these bars – they never last long in my house! But when you need to store them (maybe hide a few from cookie monsters?), here’s how to keep them fresh and fabulous:

First, make sure they’re completely cooled before storing – any warmth will make the frosting weep. I use an airtight container with parchment between layers if I’m stacking them. They’ll stay perfect in the fridge for up to 5 days (though mine never make it past day 3).

Want that just-baked taste? Pop a chilled bar in the microwave for 10 seconds – just enough to take the chill off without melting the frosting. The white chocolate gets all soft and dreamy again. If you’re feeling extra, serve with a dusting of fresh powdered sugar!

Freezing works great too – wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. They’ll keep for 2 months frozen. Thaw overnight in the fridge or give them that quick microwave zap when cravings strike.

Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe Variations

Oh, the fun you can have with these bars! My favorite tweak? Adding a tablespoon of fresh orange zest to the batter – it makes the cranberries pop like holiday lights. And when I’m feeling rebellious, I swap half the white chocolate for dark chocolate chips. The contrast is *chef’s kiss* perfection.

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but I know we all like to have a general idea of what we’re enjoying! These Cranberry Bliss Bars are definitely a treat – rich, buttery, and oh-so-worth-it for special occasions. Keep in mind that nutritional estimates can vary based on your specific ingredients (like the brand of cream cheese or exact size of your eggs).

The beauty of homemade treats is you control what goes in them. Using high-quality butter and real vanilla makes all the difference in flavor. And hey – those cranberries count as fruit, right? Just enjoy these beauties in moderation (or not – I won’t judge if you sneak a second piece!).

FAQs About Cranberry Bliss Bars

I’ve gotten so many questions about these holiday bars over the years – here are the ones that pop up most often with my tried-and-true answers!

Can I freeze Cranberry Bliss Bars?
Absolutely! These freeze like a dream. Just wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. They’ll keep beautifully for 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or give them a quick 15-second microwave zap when you need a festive treat. The cream cheese frosting stays perfect – no one will guess they were frozen!

Why are my bars dry?
Oh no – dry bars are the saddest holiday tragedy! Usually it means either overbaking (pull them out when the edges are just golden) or overmixing the batter. Remember – gently fold in those cranberries and white chocolate chips at the end. Also, make sure you’re using melted butter, not softened – it makes all the difference in creating those soft, bakery-style blondies.

Can I make these ahead for a holiday party?
You’re speaking my language! These are actually better the next day as the flavors meld. Bake the bars up to 2 days ahead, store unfrosted at room temperature in an airtight container. Frost them the morning of your event – the cream cheese topping stays fresh for hours. Just keep them refrigerated until 30 minutes before serving so they’re the perfect texture.

Did these Cranberry Bliss Bars bring some holiday magic to your kitchen? I’d love to hear about your baking adventures! Leave a star rating below if these bars disappeared as fast as they do at my house. And hey – snap a photo of your festive creation! There’s nothing quite like seeing those white chocolate-speckled triangles on your holiday table.

Irresistible 2-Step Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe for Holidays