Prepare to treat yourself with my healthier version of Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars! A tender, slightly nutty-tasting whole wheat blondie base is flavored with sweet orange, then topped with a dreamy cream cheese frosting, chewy dried cranberries and a white chocolate drizzle. Delightful!
‘Tis the season for indulgence, which is why I wanted to recreate a better-for-you version of one of my favorite Starbucks treats. Enter my whole wheat cranberry bliss bars. I eagerly await the stunningly pretty, divine tasting triangles every year. But, at nearly $5 a pop (!!!) I’m much less likely to enjoy them as often as I’d like.
Luckily, my copycat recipe costs just a fraction—I can make a tray of 24 for about the price of 2 from the café. Better yet, I’ve put my own Oregon Dietician spin on things by beefing up the nutritional profile. Swapping in whole grain flour, using unsweetened dried fruit, and cutting the sodium in half are all easy tweaks that still yield blissfully yummy results.
So, next time you’re looking for a fun treat to pair with your favorite homemade Starbucks holiday drinks, look no further than my copycat Starbucks cranberry bliss bars recipe! They’re perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or anytime you need a little moment of “me time” to escape all the holiday chaos.
Jump to:
- What do they taste like?
- Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Copycat Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions
- How To Make Cranberry Bliss Bars At Home
- Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Success Tips
- Storage Directions
- Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bar Nutrition
- Pricing Info
- FAQs
- Other Holiday Recipes
- Recipe
What do they taste like?
My copycat cranberry bliss bars taste nearly identical to the Starbucks favorite, but are a bit more wholesome. They have a buttery blondie base—sweet, soft, and rich from brown sugar and vanilla—with a hint of orange and ginger that adds brightness and warmth. Chewy bites of dried cranberries and creamy pockets of white chocolate chips are scattered throughout, offering extra texture and a sweet-tart balance that’s phenomenal.
Then, to really take them over the top, they’re topped with a creamy white chocolate drizzle, tangy cream cheese frosting, and even more dried cranberries. With each bite, you get all the cozy holiday flavor and creamy richness you crave from the original, but with the heartier nutritional profile and nutty depth of whole wheat pastry flour.
Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Copycat Recipe
- Budget-Friendly – While I’ll happily splurge on occasion, spending $5 for what amounts to little more than 5 bites is not something I’m willing to do on the regular. (That’s also a big reason why I created Coffee Copycat—because spending $5-7+ for a single latte is bonkers!) This yummy cranberry bliss bar recipe lets me get all my holiday jollies for just pennies on the dollar.
- Pretty & Portable – Holidays are the time for baking and sharing with your nearest and dearest. If you’re the competitive sort that likes to show off your skills, these bliss bars should hit the top of your list. Their unusual shape, layered appearance, and stunning color contrast make them a standout on any dessert table.
- Bright & Buttery – These tasty treats are a study in contrasts—sweet white chocolate and tart cranberries, creamy frosting and tender blondies, chewy dried fruit and firm white chocolate chips. Each bite is full of lovely flavors and craveworthy textures!
Ingredients Needed
- Brown Sugar – The moisture in brown sugar helps to create a perfectly moist, chewy blondie base and adds a nice caramelly depth.
- Unsalted Butter & Salt – Starting with unsalted butter and adding your own salt to taste ensures consistent results every time.
- White Chocolate Chips – We’ll use some for the blondie base and some for drizzling. If you can, reach for a brand that lists real cocoa butter for the best flavor.
- Large Eggs – In recipes that call for more than one egg, size really does matter. If you have a different size egg, note that each large egg is equivalent to about ¼ cup.
- Vanilla Extract & Orange Extract – Vanilla adds sweet warmth and depth, while orange adds welcome brightness.
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour – The easiest way to sneak a little extra nutrition into your favorite baking recipes! It has the nutty flavor and nutritional benefits of being a whole grain flour, but creates a nice, light crumb similar to AP flour.
- Baking Powder – This leavener ensures the blondie base rises to its full potential.
- Ground Ginger – Potent and spicy, perfect for adding cozy warmth.
- Unsweetened Dried Cranberries – Swapping in unsweetened dried fruit will save you calories and added sugar. Trust me—you won’t miss the extra sweetness.
- Cream Cheese – Make sure to reach for full-fat block-style cream cheese. The whipped kind won’t cut it!
- Powdered Sugar – Also known as icing sugar, this is what ensures a silky smooth cream cheese frosting.
Substitutions
- Brown Sugar – You’re welcome to use either light or dark brown sugar. If you don’t have any on hand, make your own by mixing white sugar with molasses in a 1 cup to 1-2 tablespoon ratio.
- Unsalted Butter & Salt – Only have salted butter? Use it, but omit the extra salt.
- White Chocolate Chips – Chopped white bar chocolate works, too.
- Large Eggs – I haven’t tried it, but I think you should be able to make cranberry bliss bars using flax eggs instead. Each flax egg = 1 tablespoon flaxmeal/flaxseed + 3 tablespoons of water + 5 minutes to thicken.
- Vanilla Extract – You’re welcome to use an equal amount of vanilla paste or powder.
- Orange Extract – While you won’t get quite the same amount of citrusy punch, you can use the zest of one orange instead.
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour – A 50/50 blend of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour offers a balance of the nutritional benefits of whole grains with the less-stodgy consistency of plain flour.
- Unsweetened Dried Cranberries – You can use sweetened dried cranberries if that’s what you have, but note that the nutrition facts will change a bit.
- Cream Cheese – For a slightly lighter version, swap in Neufchatel cheese. (It has a better consistency and fewer stabilizers than low-fat cream cheese.)
- Powdered Sugar – If you’re fresh out, blitz 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a food processor until light and fluffy.
How To Make Cranberry Bliss Bars At Home
Step 1: Prep & Melt. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt together the brown sugar, butter, and white chocolate chips, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients. Once the mixture has cooled slightly, whisk in the eggs, followed by the vanilla and orange extracts. Set aside.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, salt, and ground ginger. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until mostly combined.
Step 4: Fold in the dried cranberries, mixing just until evenly distributed.
Step 5: Bake. Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and smooth the top evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and set in the center. Let the bars cool completely to room temperature.
Step 6: Make Frosting. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Melt the remaining white chocolate chips, then mix in the vanilla and orange extracts until smooth.
Step 7: Frost. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cranberry white chocolate bars while still in the pan. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cranberries and drizzle with the melted white chocolate. Chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to firm up.
Step 8: Cut & Share. Once set, cut into 12 squares, then slice each square diagonally to make 24 triangles. Now spread the joy with your friends and family! info.
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Dairy-Free – Swap the butter for vegan butter or coconut oil, use dairy-free white chocolate chips, and substitute the cream cheese with a plant-based version for a similar texture and flavor.
- Gluten-Free – Replace the whole wheat pastry flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, preferably with xanthan gum. Make sure your baking powder is certified gluten-free, too. Allow the batter to rest for 30 minutes before baking to prevent a gritty consistency.
- Add Crunch – Stir in ½ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds to the batter for extra texture and a boost of healthy fats.
- More Orange – For extra citrusy brightness, stir a teaspoon of orange zest into both the batter and the cream cheese frosting.
Serving Suggestions
These Whole Wheat Cranberry Bliss Bars are perfect for when you want something sweet and festive but not overly heavy. Serve them chilled for the best texture — the cream cheese frosting firms up beautifully in the fridge, making each bite creamy, chewy, and just the right amount of indulgent.
They’re ideal for holiday cookie trays, office potlucks, or gift boxes alongside treats like my orange cranberry bread and cookie butter coffee creamer. For a cozy afternoon pick-me-up, pair a bar with a mug of homemade peppermint mocha or eggnog latte.
If you’re entertaining, slice them into smaller triangles and serve them on a grazing board with fresh fruit, nuts, and dark chocolate squares. It’s a crowd-pleasing mix of flavors and textures that’s both celebratory and a little healthier than most desserts.
Recipe Success Tips
- If possible, opt for organic grass-fed dairy and pasture-raised eggs. They have a healthier nutritional profile than their conventional counterparts!
- Cool the butter mixture. Let the melted butter, sugar, and white chocolate mixture cool for a few minutes before adding the eggs. If it’s too hot, the eggs can scramble.
Don’t overmix the batter. Stir just until the flour disappears. Overmixing can make the bars dense instead of tender and chewy. - Use room temperature ingredients. Room-temp eggs and cream cheese blend more smoothly, creating a light, creamy frosting and an evenly textured batter.
- Bake just until set. The bars should be golden around the edges and slightly soft in the center—they’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
- Cool completely before frosting. If the bars are warm, the cream cheese frosting will melt.
- Chill before slicing. Refrigerating the frosted bars for at least an hour makes them easier to cut into clean, sharp triangles without smearing the frosting.
Storage Directions
- Refrigeration. Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep parchment paper between layers to prevent the frosting from sticking.
- Freezing. Freeze the bars (frosted or unfrosted) for up to 3 months. For best results, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bar Nutrition
Each whole wheat cranberry bliss bar comes in at about 279 calories, making it a sweet treat that fits nicely into a balanced diet so long as it’s enjoyed in moderation. With 4 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber, it offers a bit more staying power than a traditional bakery blondie.
The 35 grams of carbohydrates from whole wheat pastry flour, cranberries, and a touch of brown sugar provide energy along with that classic chewy, sweet texture. The 15 grams of fat from butter and cream cheese contribute to a rich, satisfying mouthfeel, while the 116 milligrams of sodium is about half as much as the Starbucks version.
Overall, these bars deliver all the cozy, nostalgic flavor of the Starbucks original, but with more wholesome ingredients and a more balanced nutrition profile. Go on and treat yourself. Happy holidays!!
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 279 calories
- Carbohydrates: 35 grams
- Protein: 4 grams
- Total Fat: 15 grams
- Sodium: 116 mg
- Fiber: 2 grams
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Pricing Info
This is what I personally paid to make this recipe:
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar: $0.57
- 1 cup unsalted butter: $2.75
- 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips: $4.05
- 2 large eggs: $0.90
- 2 ½ tsp vanilla extract: $0.10
- 1 ½ tsp orange extract: $0.62
- 2 ¼ cups whole wheat pastry flour: $0.60
- 1 tsp baking powder: $0.04
- ¼ tsp salt: $0.01
- ¼ tsp ground ginger: $0.01
- 1 ¼ cup unsweetened dried cranberries: $0.55
- 8 oz cream cheese: $2.98
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar: $0.52
The total comes out to be around $13.70 or roughly $0.57 per bar!
FAQs
Cranberry bliss bars are a festive holiday favorite at Starbucks. They’re a soft, chewy blondie-style dessert flavored with vanilla, orange, and ginger, studded with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. It’s topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting, more cranberries, and a white chocolate drizzle.
Bliss bars are a sweet treat, not so much a health food. However, my version is made with better-for-you ingredients like whole wheat pastry flour and less sugar, making it a lighter, more balanced option. It’s still dessert, but one you can feel a little better about enjoying. Check out the nutritional overview above for the full breakdown.
Other Holiday Recipes
Tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comments below! I would really appreciate your feedback!
Recipe
Whole Wheat Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copycat)
Equipment
- 1 9×13 baking pan
- 1 stand mixer
Ingredients
Cranberry Bliss Bars:
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp orange extract
- 2 ¼ cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¾ cup unsweetened dried cranberries
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 cup white chocolate chips divided
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp orange extract
- ½ cup unsweetened dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper on the bottom and up the sides (so they can be easily lifted out after baking).
- Add brown sugar, butter, and ½ cup white chocolate chips to a medium saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, whisking frequently until everything is melted and well combined. Remove from heat and allow to cool 5 minutes or until warm but not hot.
- Slowly whisk in the room temperature eggs, then add the vanilla and orange extract. Set the mixture aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ginger. Add the warm brown sugar mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until almost combined. Add the dried cranberries and continue stirring until well-combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, then bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the blondies are slightly golden on the edges. Allow the blondies to cool completely at room temperature before frosting.
- Make the frosting. Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl in 15 minutes intervals until smooth. Set aside.
- Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar together in the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth. Add all but ¼ cup of the melted white chocolate to the cream cheese mixture, along with the vanilla and orange extracts. Beat again until smooth and well combined.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled blondies evenly, then top with the dried cranberries. Drizzle with remaining ¼ cup melted white chocolate. Store in the fridge for 1-2 hours before cutting.
- Once the bliss bars are completely cooled in the fridge, lift them out of the baking pan and cut into 12 squares. Then cut each of those squares diagonally to create 24 triangle bliss bars. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
If you end up making this and loving it, take a photo and tag me on Instagram! I’d love to see your versions of my recipes! And feel free to rate it down below in the comment section. I would really appreciate it!
xoxo Megan
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