My love for cranberries would, of course, dictate that I have a recipe for Starbuck’s Cranberry Bliss Bars.  This recipe is a culmination of several recipes already out there.  I deleted things I don’t like the taste of, added things I do like the taste of and changed measurements on the rest!  I hope you like these as much as my family does.  Truly a great substitute for the $2 (each) bars you can get with your gourmet latte!

Bars

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoon orange extract

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (you can certainly use less or none at all if you dislike ginger)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup craisins, chopped

1 cup white chocolate chips, chopped (you can substitute mini chips here)

Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup white chocolate chips, melted (cool slightly prior to adding)

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon orange extract

Topping

1/4 cup craisins, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13×9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Cream butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix well (I’m hoping you are using your electric mixer for this and not just a spoon on the end of your arm!)  Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl and gradually add to your butter/sugar mixture.  Once well combined, stir in the chopped craisins and chopped white chocolate chips (or mini chips).  The batter will be VERY thick, don’t get scared.  Spread in the bottom of your prepared pan and bake for 18-22 minutes (or until a knife inserted comes out clean).

To prepare the frosting, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until well blended.  Add the slightly cooled, melted white chocolate chips and orange extract and beat until smooth.

When bars are completely cooled, frost and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of chopped craisins.  Refrigerate for about 2 hours prior to serving or bars will be very gooey (unless you like gooey and then dig in!)

Grab a hot cup of….whatever you like and ENJOY!!