Countdown to Christmas - Cranberry and White Chocolate Blondies

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Cookies for the neighbors have been packed and wrapped and we'll drop them off tomorrow afternoon. Most of the cookies I've shared with them are barely sweet, so I wanted to top the tins with one sweet confection that I know will please those who have a ravenous sweet tooth. While these cookies are a last minute addition, the Silver Fox has given them two thumbs up, so, despite limited testing, I am comfortable sharing the cookies with the neighbors and the recipe with you. These fall into the easy-peasy category of holiday cooking and they are perfect for those of you who are looking for a last minute filler for your holiday cookie trays. They are so simple to make, that I have no special insights or techniques to share with you, other than to say, if you like sweet things, or your sweet things like sweet things, this recipe will not disappoint you. Do give it a try. Here is how this simple white chocolate brownie is made.

Cranberry and White Chocolate Blondies...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Taste of Home magazine

Ingredients:
Blondies
3/4 cup butter, cubed
1-1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dried cranberries
6 ounces white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
Frosting
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange peel, optional
6 ounces white baking chocolate, melted, divided use
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Set aside.
2) Melt butter in a microwave. Stir in brown sugar. Transfer to a large bowl and cool to room temperature.
3) Beat in eggs and vanilla.
4) Combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Gradually add to butter mixture. Stir in cranberries and chopped chocolate (batter will be thick).
4) Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake at for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean (do not over bake). Cool on a wire rack.
5) To make frosting: Beat cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and orange peel in a large bowl until blended. Gradually add half
of melted white chocolate and beat until blended. Frost blondies. Sprinkle with cranberries. Drizzle with remaining melted white
chocolate. Cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

                    

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