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Perfect Holiday Cranberry Bliss Bars - Step by Step Guide

A festive Starbucks-inspired Cranberry Bliss Bar recipe featuring chewy blondie layers, creamy orange-infused frosting, and tart cranberries — the ultimate holiday dessert made easy at home.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 424
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup 2 sticks butter, softened
  • 1½ cups brown sugar packed
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp orange zest
  • 2 tbsp candied or crystallized ginger minced (or ½ tsp ground ginger)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp orange juice
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips for melting and drizzle
  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries for garnish

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Cream butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in eggs, vanilla, orange zest, and ginger until fully incorporated.
  4. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; fold into wet ingredients until just combined.
  5. Stir in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
  6. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan and bake 18–22 minutes until golden and set. Cool completely.
  7. Beat cream cheese until smooth, add powdered sugar and orange juice; mix until creamy.
  8. Melt ½ cup white chocolate chips and blend into frosting for extra richness.
  9. Spread frosting over cooled bars, top with cranberries, and drizzle melted white chocolate decoratively.
  10. Refrigerate 20 minutes to set, then slice into squares or triangles before serving.

Notes

Use parchment paper for easy pan removal. Always cool bars fully before frosting. For perfect drizzle, use a ziplock bag with a snipped corner to control the white chocolate flow.