Welcome to the ultimate holiday baking experience! If you’re a fan of the iconic Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar, prepare to be amazed. We’ve transformed that beloved treat into these irresistible Cranberry Bliss Cookies. This recipe captures all the festive flavors—tart cranberries, sweet white chocolate, a hint of orange, and a rich cream cheese frosting—in a perfectly soft and chewy cookie form. They are simple to make and destined to become the star of your holiday cookie platter.
What Are Cranberry Bliss Cookies?
Inspired by the seasonal favorite from Starbucks, Cranberry Bliss Cookies are a deconstructed version of the classic bar. They feature a soft, chewy cookie base loaded with dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and a touch of orange zest and ginger. Each cookie is generously topped with a decadent cream cheese frosting, a white chocolate drizzle, and more finely chopped cranberries. It’s all the bliss of the original, but with the delightful texture of a homemade cookie.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Bliss Cookie Recipe
- Perfectly Chewy Texture: We’ve perfected the dough to ensure a soft, chewy bite every time, something a bar simply can’t replicate.
- Festive and Flavorful: The combination of cranberry, orange, and ginger is the epitome of holiday flavor.
- Better Than the Original: Making them at home means you control the quality of ingredients, resulting in a fresher, more delicious treat. For another festive dessert, try our Mexican Wedding Cookies.
- Incredibly Easy: The steps are straightforward and perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Cranberry Bliss Cookies
The magic of these cookies lies in a few key ingredients that work in perfect harmony.
For the Cookies:
- Dried Cranberries: Provide a chewy texture and a delightful tartness to balance the sweetness.
- White Chocolate Chips: Add creamy, sweet pockets of flavor throughout the cookie.
- Orange Zest: A secret weapon that brightens all the other flavors with a fresh, citrusy aroma.
- Ground Ginger: Adds a subtle, warm spice that is essential to the classic “bliss” flavor profile.
- All-Purpose Flour, Butter, Sugars, Egg, Vanilla: The foundational elements that create a classic, reliable cookie base.
For the Frosting and Topping:
- Cream Cheese: The base for the tangy, rich frosting that perfectly complements the cookie.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to the perfect consistency.
- Melted White Chocolate: Used for the signature drizzle that adds a final touch of elegance and sweetness.
How to Make Cranberry Bliss Cookies
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious holiday cookies you’ve ever tasted. We break it down into four easy phases: making the dough, baking, frosting, and assembling.
Step 1: Making the Cookie Dough
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and fresh orange zest until just combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, and salt.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries with a spatula.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much.
Step 2: Baking the Cookies
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Portion the Dough: Scoop rounded tablespoons of the chilled dough and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. For a different baked treat, these Ham and Cheese Sticks are a savory favorite.
Step 3: Preparing the Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat Cream Cheese: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until smooth, then mix in the vanilla extract. The frosting should be thick but spreadable.
Step 4: Assembling Your Cookies
- Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a layer of the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of each one.
- Add Toppings: Finely chop the extra dried cranberries. Sprinkle them over the frosted cookies.
- Drizzle with Chocolate: Melt the remaining white chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Use a spoon or a piping bag to drizzle the melted white chocolate over the cookies.
- Set and Serve: Allow the frosting and drizzle to set for about 15-20 minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade Cranberry Bliss Cookies! If you’re in the mood for more chocolate, our Strawberry Hot Chocolate is a decadent choice.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t Skip Chilling the Dough: Chilling the dough solidifies the fat, which prevents the cookies from spreading into thin, crispy wafers. It’s the key to a chewy texture.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For a smooth, uniform dough and frosting, ensure your butter, egg, and cream cheese are at room temperature.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off. Scooping directly from the bag can pack the flour and result in dry cookies.
- Cool Completely Before Frosting: Any warmth from the cookies will melt the cream cheese frosting. Patience is key!
Storing Your Cranberry Bliss Cookies
Due to the cream cheese frosting, these cookies must be stored in the refrigerator. Place them in a single layer in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. For the best taste and texture, let them sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can bake the cookies and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days before frosting. Alternatively, you can prepare the cookie dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking.
We do not recommend using fresh cranberries for this recipe. They will release too much moisture and acidity, which can alter the cookie’s texture and make them soggy. Dried cranberries provide the ideal chewy texture and concentrated tart flavor.
Yes, we highly recommend it. Chilling the dough solidifies the butter, which helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too thin in the oven. This step is essential for achieving a thick, chewy cookie.
Because of the cream cheese frosting, these cookies must be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days. We recommend letting them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving for the best texture.
The chewiness comes from a combination of factors: using brown sugar for its molasses content, not overmixing the flour, and, most importantly, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent over-spreading.
The Ultimate Cranberry Bliss Cookies Recipe
Cranberry Bliss Cookies (Better Than Starbucks' Bar!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and fresh orange zest until just combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Gently fold in 1 cup of white chocolate chips and 1 cup of dried cranberries with a spatula.
- Cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop rounded tablespoons of the chilled dough and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar and 1 tsp of vanilla extract until smooth and spreadable.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a layer of the cream cheese frosting over the top of each one.
- Sprinkle the finely chopped 2 tbsp of dried cranberries over the frosted cookies.
- Melt the remaining 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookies.
- Allow the frosting and drizzle to set for 15-20 minutes before serving. Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Tip 2: For a stronger orange flavor, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of orange extract to the frosting.
Tip 3: Let cookies sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Share Your Creations!
We are so excited for you to try this amazing Cranberry Bliss Cookies recipe! They are the perfect addition to any holiday gathering or a cozy night in. If you make them, please leave a comment below and let us know how they turned out. Don’t forget to share a photo of your beautiful cookies on Pinterest!
