Gluten Free Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Inspired)

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Gluten-Free Cranberry Bliss Bars, a homemade version of the popular Starbucks cranberry bliss bar! Cranberry white chocolate blondies, drizzled with a zesty orange cream cheese frosting and topped with extra cranberries and white chocolate drizzle!

Gluten Free cranberry bliss bars overview shot, showing diagonally cut bars.

Why You'll Love This Cranberry Bliss Bar Recipe

Enjoy the holiday season with gluten-free cranberry bliss bars. This homemade version is even better than Starbucks', with the perfect blend of cranberry, white chocolate, and orange flavors. This popular dessert is one of our holiday favorites; now you can make it gluten-free! We love to serve these bars during our Christmas events alongside my gluten-free chocolate mint cookies, gluten-free chocolate crinkle cookies, and gluten-free ginger molasses cookies. Here are some more reasons why you will love this gluten free cranberry bliss bars recipe:

These bars taste better than the Starbucks version. This gluten-free Starbucks copycat recipe is rich and flavorful and can enjoyed year-round.
They are made with better ingredients. These homemade cranberry bliss bars are made with high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
Perfect for the holidays! The cranberry and orange flavors make these bars the perfect holiday treat to serve during Christmas time.

Gluten-Free Cranberry Bliss Bars Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make these delicious cranberry bliss bars:

Ingredients for cranberry bliss bars. Gluten-free flour, salt, baking powder, vanilla extract, dark brown sugar, powdered sugar, white chocolate chips, eggs, cranberries, orange zest, cream cheese.

Ingredient Notes

Unsalted Butter: Melting the butter creates a soft and chewy texture.
Brown Sugar: I love using dark brown sugar for a rich molasses flavor but you could also use light brown sugar. Brown sugar sweetens the bars and adds moisture, resulting in soft chewy blondies.
Eggs: Two large eggs at room temperature help the blondies to rise.
Vanilla Extract: A high-quality pure vanilla extract is recommended for the best results.
Orange Zest: Fresh orange zest from a navel orange gives this recipe an authentic flavor. It's used in both the bars and in the cream cheese frosting.
Gluten-Free Flour: Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten-Free Flour is my favorite gluten-free flour. Measure this and any gluten-free flour with a food scale for the best results.
Baking Powder. Just a pinch to help the bars to rise.
Salt: Enhances the other flavors.
White Chocolate Chips: Choosing a high-quality chocolate will give these bars the best flavor. Guittard and Ghirardelli are my favorite chocolate brands to use.
Dried Cranberries: Look for fresh dried cranberries that are somewhat soft and vibrant.
Cream Cheese: Its thick texture and tangy flavor make it perfect for the frosting.
Powdered Sugar: I’m using organic powdered sugar to help create that classic sweet, cream cheese frosting.

Find the printable recipe card with full instructions and measurements below.

How to Make Gluten-Free Cranberry Bliss Bars

Make Cranberry Bliss Bars

Cranberry bliss bars in a baking pan, before and after baked.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch square pan. Cut an even layer of parchment paper and apply it to the bottom of the pan going vertically and horizontally. This will help to release the bars more easily.

Step 1: Mix the butter and brown sugar. In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), add the melted butter and brown sugar. Using a whisk attachment or electric mixer, mix until combined.
Step 2: Add the remaining wet ingredients. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest to the bowl. Continue to beat until smooth.
Step 3: Add the dry ingredients. Pour in the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat on low speed just until fully blended, do not over-mix.
Step 4: Add the mix-ins. Fold in the chopped cranberries and white chocolate chips.
Step 5: Bake. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly using an offset spatula. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Do not overbake or the bars will be hard.
Step 6: Let the bars cool. Remove the pan from the oven and transfer to a wire rack. Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 1 hour. Bars should be completely cooled before frosting.

Frost Cranberry Bliss Bars

Frosting steps for cranberry bliss bars.

Step 7: Make the cream cheese frosting. In a medium-sized bowl, add the softened cream cheese and beat on high speed for 1-2 minutes. Melt ¼ cup of white chocolate chips in the microwave, for 30-second intervals, stirring in-between. Pour the melted white chocolate, powdered sugar, orange zest, and vanilla extract into the bowl. Beat until creamy, well-combined, and free of any lumps. The texture should be smooth and silky.
Step 8: Frost and decorate the bars. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the cooled bars using an off-set spatula. Sprinkle extra chopped cranberries on top of the frosting, gently pushing them down to secure. In a small microwaveable bowl, melt ⅓ cup of white chocolate chips, in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring in-between. Pour the white chocolate into a zip lock bag or pastry bag, snipping off the end. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the top of the bars in a zig-zag pattern. Place the bars in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Step 9. Cut the bars. Remove from the fridge and carefully lift the bars out of the baking sheet (with the parchment paper left on). Place the bars onto a cutting board. Your first cut will be making three vertical columns. Then make 4 horizontal cuts. Then, cut each square diagonally.
Step 10: Serve. You can serve the bars right away or place the bars in the refrigerator overnight and serve the next day. Bars should be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Gluten Free cranberry bliss bars close up shot of cranberries, zest, and white chocolate drizzle.

Expert Tips

Do not overbake! Watch these bars closely, as they tend to overbake easily. Remove the bars from the oven once they turn golden brown around the edges, and are cooked through the middle. Everyone’s oven is different, but I find these bars are ready around 20 minutes.
Line your baking pan. For easy removal and cutting of your cranberry bliss bars, line your pan with parchment paper that overhangs on the sides. This will allow you to “lift” the bars out of the pan and slice them easily.
Serve the next day. Within 24 hours the blondies will soften more while the cranberry orange flavors enhance.
Bring all of the ingredients to room temperature. This will ensure a smooth blondie batter and frosting.

Storage

Storage: Store cranberry bliss bars in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Freezing: Prepare and slice the chilled bars as directed overnight. Then wrap each bar in plastic wrap. Store the bars in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw the bars overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

More Holiday Recipes!

Here are some more festive gluten-free holiday recipes to enjoy!

Bite shot of a gluten free cranberry bliss bar on a white plate.

FAQ

What is a cranberry bliss bar at Starbucks?

Starbucks cranberry bliss bars are white chocolate blondies with dried cranberries and orange zest, topped with a cream cheese frosting. This copycat recipe is a gluten-free version.

Do cranberry bliss bars have to be refrigerated?

Yes, because of the dairy, these cookie bars will need to be refrigerated. They can be left at room temperature for up to 2 hours when serving at a holiday party.

What does a cranberry bliss bar taste like?

These gluten free cranberry bliss bars taste like a cranberry blondie. Soft white chocolate brownie packed with sweet cranberries, with hints of orange, and topped with a velvety soft cream cheese frosting.

Can you make these copycat Starbucks cranberry bliss bars vegan or dairy-free?

Yes, this recipe can be used to make vegan cranberry bliss bars. Use vegan butter, vegan cream cheese for vegan cream cheese frosting, vegan white chocolate chips, and a vegan egg substitute such as 6 tablespoons applesauce or JUST Egg.

More Gluten-Free Desserts

I hope you love this gluten-free cranberry bliss bars recipe as much as I do! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.

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Comments

5 from 7 votes (4 ratings without comment)