Cranberry Bliss Bars - Oh Sweet Basil

Say goodbye to dry blonde brownies and sink your teeth into these chewy white chocolate cranberry bliss bars! They are loaded with cranberries and white chocolate chips and topped with a tasty cream cheese frosting.

I’ve been on a mission to create a soft and chewy blonde brownie, and this is it! I made them different than any recipe I could find and I really think this way is the BEST!

Growing up I never really cared about cranberries. They weren’t even on my radar in fact. But the older I get the more it’s creeping in as one of my can’t-live-without ingredients. They are so good in salads, rice dishes, desserts etc and so how could I not make the famous Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars recipe? Except, this one is actually delicious.

I know, I know, that seems harsh, but their bars are a bit underwhelming and dry in my opinion. When looking up and testing recipes I just kept thinking, this needs to be one of those bars that you just sink your teeth into all slow and delicious. You know what I mean? But blondies, or blonde brownies I should say, seem to be nothing but dry, especially the next day.

Cue the cream cheese. I knew with less water content and more fat than butter that I could possibly make a superior bar and that’s exactly what I did. Cade wasn’t at all convinced and now he keeps begging me to make more. And I will be, including an orange version so stay tuned.

Ingredients for Cranberry Bliss Bars

Most of the ingredients in these bars are things you’ll already have in the fridge or pantry. Here’s your ingredients list so you know where you will need to fill in the gaps:

Bars

Butter – unsalted is preferred, if you only have salted, just omit the salt
Brown Sugar – adds richness and sweetness
White Sugar – add sweetness
Cream Cheese – I’m convinced this is the key to keeping these blondies soft and chewy, make sure it is softened
Eggs – gives the bars structure and richness, the extra yolk is all about richness
Vanilla – flavor
Flour – just good ol’ all purpose
Cornstarch – keeps the bars tender and chewy
Baking Powder – add rise and fluffiness to the bars
Salt – enhances the flavor and cuts through the sweetness
White Chocolate Chips – adds the perfect creaminess and texture to the bars
Craisins – I love the tang these add in the bars and on top

Frosting

Cream Cheese – who doesn’t love a cream cheese frosting?!
Powdered Sugar – sweetness and smoothness
Vanilla – flavor
Orange Extract – flavor
Craisins – makes the bars so festive and beautiful
White Chocolate – just melt in the microwave in a glass measuring cup in 30 second intervals, stirring in between

The measurements of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

a photo of a circular cooling rack loaded with triangular cut cranberry white chocolate bars loaded with craisins and white chocolate chips and topped with cream cheese frosting.

How to Make Cranberry Bliss Bars

These blonde brownies are so easy and make such a fun neighbor gift for the holidays! Here are the basic steps:

For the Bars

Preheat the oven. Prep an 8×11 or 9×13 baking pan with parchment and cooking spray.
Combine the butter and sugars and beat together. Add the cream cheese and egg yolk and mix again.
Add the other eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth.
Combine all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and add to the wet ingredients.
When everything is almost incorporated, add the white chocolate chips and craisins and stir them in.
Press the dough into the prepared baking pan and bake (see tip below).
Cool briefly then put in the fridge. Make the frosting.

For the Frosting

Beat all the ingredients together and spread over the bars once they are cooled completely.
Sprinkle the craisins on top and drizzle with melted white chocolate.
Serve immediately.

All of these instructions can be found in the recipe card down below. You can also print or save the recipe from there as well.

a photo of several cranberry bliss bars cut in triangles and sitting on a circular cooling rack.

Baking Time Tip

Our bars seem to be finishing around 26-27 minutes in the oven, but I gotta tell ya, I think a little less time like 20-25 minutes might just work. Just play with it and remember, that cream cheese is going to keep the top from browning more, so a gentle tap on top will tell you if they are starting to set up, not the color.

Why are Blonde Brownies Dry?

Usually it’s because there’s a higher ratio of butter that’s been melted down thus leading to a more crisp and crackly topping. Very pretty to look at but dry as can be, especially on day two. These bars are totally not dry in the least bit on day two. In fact, you can make them up to 2 days in advance and though not as amazing as the first day they are almost perfect. Day two you won’t even know they were made in advance!

a photo of a single cranberry bliss bar sitting on a white dessert plate. It is topped with cream cheese frosting, craisins and a white chocolate drizzle.

How Long to Cranberry Bliss Bars Keep?

Keep these bars in an airtight contain in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 5 days.

How to Freeze Cranberry Bliss Bars

Follow the instructions as written and slice them. Put the bars in the refrigerator for a few hours so the frosting will firm up a little and then wrap them plastic wrap and then foil. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can thaw them in the fridge overnight or on the counter for an hour or so when you’re ready to eat them.

a photo of several cranberry bliss bars sitting on a circular cooling rack with a string of beige beads laying next to them.

Forget the store bought cranberry bliss bars because these are way better! They are soft and chewy and the cream cheese in the bars is just what a blonde brownie needs to be perfect.