taste of tuesday: cranberry bliss bars

computer on the fritz, internet is failing and Christmas festivities are all to blame for my absence. Jack and I made these for Day 5. all things Christmas-cranberries, white chocolate and ginger. a nice alternative to chocolate treats. and they are the only treats (besides fudge) I will be making this year. instead, ya'll can be expecting some delicious mandarins we picked up in CA. juicy! Cranberry Bliss Bars
(via your homebased mom)

Ingredients:
Cake Base:

• 2 sticks/cubes butter, softened
• 1 1/4 C brown sugar, packed
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp ground powder ginger
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 C flour
• 1/4 C minced dried cranberries
• 1/4 C quality white chocolate. I used a Lindt white chocolate bar, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 C minced candied ginger (check the international section in your grocery store)
  

Frosting:

• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 C powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp grated orange rind
  

Drizzle:

• 2 Tbsp minced dried cranberries
• 1/3 C white chocolate, melted
  

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 x 13 pan

1. Beat together butter and sugar. add eggs and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy.

2. Add flour, powdered ginger and salt. Beat well.

3. Fold in the cranberries, chocolate chunks and minced candied ginger. Spread batter in pan and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until light golden brown.

4. After cake cools, mix all frosting ingredients together and spread over top of cake. Sprinkle with minced cranberries drizzle with melted chocolate. let chocolate set before cutting.

I stored mine in the freezer. I liked them better this way.