Cranberry Bliss Bars

Steps

1. 1Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. 2Line a 9x13” baking pan with foil or parchment paper and spray it with non-stick cooking spray (for lifting the bars out easily) or grease the pan well.
3. 3In a large bowl, whisk together the butter and the brown sugar.
4. 4Add the eggs, vanilla, and orange extract, and whisk to combine.
5. 5In another bowl, stir together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
6. 6Add the liquid ingredients to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
7. 7Fold in the white chocolate chips and the dried cranberries.
8. 8Spread the batter in the prepared pan. It will be very thick and sticky, but spread it as evenly as possible.
9. 9Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the bars are just set in the middle. A toothpick inserted in the centre should come out with a few moist crumbs on it. Don’t over-bake the bars.
10. 10Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
11. 11In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, whip the cream cheese until it is smooth and fluffy.
12. 12Mix in the vanilla and orange extracts.
13. 13Add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, whipping after each addition until smooth.
14. 14Spread the frosting on top of the cooled bars.
15. 15Sprinkle the dried cranberries on top of the cream cheese frosting.
16. 16Drizzle the melted white chocolate over top of the frosted bars.
17. 17Refrigerate the bars for at least one hour before slicing and serving them. They will keep for up to one week in an airtight container in the fridge, or can be frozen for up to 3 months.