Cranberry Bliss

Found another treat to add to my Christmas cookie list ......................https://www.recipegirl.com/cranberry-bliss-bars/

INGREDIENTS

BLONDIE LAYER:

• 3/4 cup (1½ sticks) salted butter, cubed
• 1½ cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 6 ounces white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped

FROSTING:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 ounces white baking chocolate, melted
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.

PREPARE THE BLONDIE LAYER:

• In a medium bowl, melt the butter for one minute in the microwave; stir in the brown sugar. Scrape the butter and sugar into a large bowl and let cool to room temperature. Use an electric mixer to beat in the eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture. Stir in the cranberries and chopped chocolate (the batter will be thick).
• Spread the blondie batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 18 to 21 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not over bake). Cool completely on a wire rack.

PREPARE THE FROSTING:

• In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until well-blended. Gradually add half of the melted white chocolate; beat until blended. Frost the blondies. Sprinkle with cranberries. Drizzle with remaining melted white chocolate. Cut into 30 bars- square or triangle-shaped. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
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