Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar

By Tstone76

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Rate this recipe 4/5 (1 Votes)

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Ingredients

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
3 eggs
2 tablespoons minced crystallized ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup chopped sweetened dried cranberries
4 ounces white chocolate, cut into chunks
4-ounces cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
4 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup chopped sweetened dried cranberries
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons vegetable shortening

Details

Servings 16
Cooking time 160mins
Adapted from topsecretrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Each holiday season Starbucks brings out one of its most beloved dessert recipes: a soft triangle of white chocolate and cranberry cake covered with delicious creamy lemon frosting and dried cranberries. But when the holidays are over, the Bliss Bars go back into hiding until next season. that's when we bust out our home clone. The cake is flavored with bits of crystallized ginger that you can find in most markets near the herbs and spices. Be sure to finely mince the chunks of ginger before adding them, since ginger has a strong flavor, and you don't want anyone biting into whole chunk. For the white chocolate, one 4-ounce bar of Ghirardelli white chocolate will give you the perfect amount of chunks after you chop it up. If you can't find that brand, any brand of white chocolate will do, or you can use 4 ounces of white chocolate chips. This clone recipe will make a total of 16 cake bars, at a fraction of the cost of the original.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Make cake by beating the butter and brown sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the eggs, ginger, vanilla, and salt and beat well. Gradually mix in the flour and baking powder until smooth. Mix the chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks into the batter by hand. Pour the batter into a buttered 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly across the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cake is lightly browned on top. Allow the cake to cool.

3. Make the frosting by combining the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. When the cake has cooled, use a spatula to spread the frosting over the top of the cake.

5. Make the drizzled icing by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, and shortening. Drizzle this icing over the cranberries in a sweeping motion with a squirt bottle or fill a small plastic storage bag with the icing and cut off the tip of one corner.

Makes 16 bars.

These were so good. I don't understand the low ratings because I thought these tasted amazing and turned out exactly how I thought they would. I did take a few users' suggestions and added a bit of cinnamon and orange zest to the batter. I might drizzle melted white chocolate over top next time instead of the shortening/icing mix, but overall I have to say this was even better than the Starbucks version. Thanks so much for posting this recipe!

I altered to make gluten free. Used gluten free flour blend and added one egg and 3/4 tsp xantham gum. The we're wonderful. Also good with dried blueberries.

I bought one at Starbucks on Friday and made them on Saturday. This is right on. The only thing that I would do differently is to bake only 20 min instead of 25. Also MAYBE add more powdered sugar to the frosting or a little eggwhite powder to firm it up after it sets up. The frosting at Starbucks was a little bit firmer. I did omit the shortening in the drizzle and added lemon extract for a more lemony taste that makes it just like the real thing. No lemon peel needed.

I have been making this for two years. When I take them to Toastmaster's, they disappear. My wife takes these to work and they are gone. Needless to say, I have to tell people "Just take one, please" I have not tweeked the recipe. I use a larger pan (which will make the bars thinner) and I reduce the cooking time by 10 minutes or so. Great job.

I've never seen these in store here (UK) so can't compare to the original, but the 5 batches I've made all came out great. I add a tablespoon of orange rind to the both the cake batter and frosting for a little more zing. I also melt white chocolate in a bain-marie for the drizzle instead of the shortening/powdered sugar mixture. Chill for a while before cutting, or else it can quickly get messy! Definitely a favorite amongst friends and family.

GREAT! I add lemon zest to the frosting and wow. My friends down at Starbucks like this one better than the one they get in. A++++ any time of the year!

I have been making this at home for 2 years now....I use a touch of cinnamon, and some orange peel, grated finely..in the cookie batter
...3 days ago I bought the cranberry bliss at the starbucks, and yuck it tasted like plastic and salty....I am so glad I ,make mine from home...also I double the frosting we all love lots of creamcheese frosting.......

Thanks for the great recipe! I have made my own version and have reduced the calories (since I am on Weight Watchers). Use Krustee's Fat Free Cranberry Orange muffin mix and I use 1/2 cup orange juce and 1/2 cup of water (instead of 1 cup water). I also use fresh cranberries on top and do use some orange zest in the icing (using Fat Free cream cheese)

I made this for DH & he loved it. I recently had the Starbucks version & tasted orange vest in the frosting, which I will add next time I make them.

I made it with two eggs and 1 tbsp of molasses and was told it is better than Starbucks. I also make a lemon cream cheese frosting without all the added white chocolate/cranberries etc. on the top or in the cake.

This recipe is fantastic!!! Thanks for this wonderful addition to my families favorite recipes. Soooo good!

this is so close to the starbucks bar! it is absolutely delicious! my mouth is watering just thinking about it. these also freeze well, so you can make a batch and have a stash in the freezer for when you need just that holiday cool treat! yum! yum!

This is the best recipe yet. I am a major fan of cranberries and it's great to be able to make and have these any time of year. A cranberry, white grape juice and seltzer water drink go great with it.