Orange/Cranberry White Chocolate Blondie Bars

MADE THESE FOR MY CHRISTMAS PIANO RECITAL - BOTH TASTY AND FESTIVE LOOKING - (and really didn't take very long to make even though it looks complicated).

• • From the kitchen of:  The all powerful Mel (found and enjoyed by Katie)

INGREDIENTS BLONDIES:

• 1 stick butter

• 1 1/3 C packed brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 tsp vanilla

• 1 tsp orange zest

• 2 1/8C all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/8 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 C dried cranberries, coarsely chopped (helps for more even distribution)

• 4 oz white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped (or 1/2-2/3 C whilte chocolate chips)

INSTRUCTIONS BLONDIES:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and lightly grease 9x13 pan

2. Melt butter in large bowl.

3. Stir in the brown sugar until well-combined.

4. Whisk in eggs, vanilla, and orange zest.

5. Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well-combined.

6. Fold in the cranberries and white chocolate.

7. Press into the prepared pan and bake for 18-22 minutes. Don't overbake (use the toothpick test to see when finished).

8. Let cool completely in the pan.

INGREDIENTS TOPPING:

• 8 oz cream cheese (light works fine)

• 3/4 C powdered sugar

• 1/4 tsp vanilla

• 2 tsp orange zest

• 4 oz white baking chocolate/chips, melted

• 1/2 C dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

INSTRUCTIONS TOPPING:

1. Using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy (2-3 min). 

2. Mix in the vanilla and orange zest (or you can save the orange zest for sprinkling at the end so that it shows up better).

3. Carefully melt the chocolate (white chocolate chips are prone to siezing if overheated - melt them slowly on low power).

4. Scoop in about half the melted chocolate and mix until creamy and well-combined.

5. Spread the frosting onto the cooled bars, sprinkle with cranberries (and zest if reserved), and drizzle the remaining white chocolate over the top.

6. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set - they taste best chilled.

7. Cut and serve :)

MAKES: 9x13 pan