Gifts from my Kitchen: Cranberry White Chocolate Bars

When I saw this recipe posted on one of my favorite blogs, Glorious Treats, I knew that I would be making them for our teachers for Valentine's Day.  Do not let the cute heart shape fool you....these are pure sin!  OMG....you can never go wrong with white chocolate and cranberries...am I right? 

This recipe is a keeper and I will be pulling it often!   I was in a hurry to get these packaged and ready to take to school, so check out Glory's blog and see her beautiful pictures of these little gems.

Enjoy!

Cranberry White Chocolate Bars

(recipe from Glorious Treats)
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Bars
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (slightly softened)
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons fresh orange zest
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup dried, sweetened cranberries, chopped
6 ounces (about 3/4 cup) white chocolate chips


Frosting
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon orange extract


1/2- 2/3 cup dried, sweetened cranberries, chopped
2 ounces white chocolate, melted


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 pan.  Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving some hanging over the two long sides- this allows the bars to be pulled out of the pan after baking for easier cutting.  In a medium bowl add the flour, powdered ginger, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Set bowl aside.  In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until smooth.  Add eggs, vanilla, and orange zest and mix well. Gradually add the flour mixture and blend until combined.  Stir in cranberries and white chocolate. Pour the batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.  Bake 25-30 minutes, until edges are light brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Prepare frosting by beating the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla and orange extract. Beat about 1 minute until fully incorporated.  Assemble dessert by spreading the frosting onto the baked and cooled bars. Sprinkle additional cranberries on top. Drizzle melted white chocolate on top as desired.


To make the bars heart shaped, use a heart cookie cutter.
 

If you love cranberries (like me!), here is another awesome recipe to try:

Cranberry Pecan Cookies

Linked To:

 * All the Small Stuff:  Tuesdays at the Table

 * From Mess Hall to Bistro:  Made From Scratch Tuesday

 * Blessed with Grace:  Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

 * Balancing Beauty and Bedlam:  Tasty Tuesday

 * Simply Sweet Home:  Friday Favorites

 * Paisley Passions:  Fun with Food Friday

 * Designs by Gollum:  Foodie Friday

 * Crazy Domestic:  All Things Domestic

 * Alli-n-son:  Sweet Tooth Friday

 * Sweet as Sugar:  Sweets for Saturday

 * Miz Helen's Country Cottage:  Full Plate Thursday

 * Boogieboard Cottage:  Masterpiece Monday

 * LambAround:  Not Baad