Cranberry Bliss Bars (Easy Version)

Cookin'Diva's Note:

This is a simple version of Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copycat), #203229, which is my signature recipe. This easier version makes a 9x13 pan (the original recipe is for a 10x15 pan) and uses a simpler list of ingredients. The result is a chewy iced "blondie" dotted with orange-flavored Craisins and white chocolate.

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 18

• ½ cup butter , melted, then cooled a bit
• 1 ¼ cups brown sugar , packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ¾ cups flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup white chocolate chips
• ½ cup orange-flavored craisins

FROSTING

• 1 (12 ounce) can ready-made cream cheese frosting
• ¼ cup orange-flavored craisins
• ¼ cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 pan by lining it with parchment paper for easy removal (or spray with non-stick spray).
2. Melt butter; cool slightly. In a mixer bowl, blend butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add all other ingredients except chips and Craisins. Once the mixture is just about blended, add 1/2 cup chips and 1/2 cup Craisins.
3. Spread the thick batter into a 9x13 pan. Bake 350 degrees for 23-25 minutes or until a toothpick tests clean. Do not overbake.
4. Allow to cool thoroughly.
5. When cool, frost with ready-made Cream Cheese frosting. Chop remaining 1/4 cup Craisins into small bits and scatter the bits over the top of the frosting.
6. Melt remaining 1/4 cup white chocolate chips in the microwave (hint: add 1/2 t. canola oil to create a thin drizzle); use a fork to drizzle the melted chocolate on top. Cut into 18 squares.

Reviews

[Lynne the Pirate Queen]

I love cranberries, and this very easy recipe is a nice way to use them. :) The only difference I made was in the orange element; having only regular dried cranberries, I added about 1/4 dried orange peel. As for the frosting, I used the recipe from Cookin'Diva's other cranberry bars, using vanilla extract and more orange peel; I tinted the frosting pink by thinning it with cranberry juice (I hate the flavor of red food coloring ;) ). Everything came out great... very pretty and perfect for Valentine's Day treats. I found them to be too sweet for my taste, but others thought they were perfect; I realized (after the fact) that I simply put too much frosting on them (having used a frosting recipe for a 10" x 15" pan, rather than the 9" x 13" pan used in this recipe). I know I'll make these again... with the proper amount of frosting! ;) Thanks so much for a great recipe!