Cranberry Ecstasy Bars - Starbucks' Cranberry Bliss Bars
Bar Cookie Recipe - Christmas Cookie Recipes


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This recipe was developed by the The Oregonian FOODday newspaper, December 5, 2006. These bar cookies are similar to Starbucks' Cranberry Bliss Bars, which are a popular accompaniment to eggnog lattes during the holidays. These are great!

Cranberry Ecstasy Bars

More favorite Cookie Recipes and Secrets To Making Perfect Cookies. Also learn How To Have A Successful Holiday Cookie Exchange or Cookie Swap.
 


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Cranberry Ecstasy Bars Recipe

Recipe Type: Cookies, Christmas Cookie, Cranberries, Bar Cookies
Yields: 16 bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min


Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (2 sticks)
1 1/4 cups firmly-packed light brown sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup minced dried cranberries
1 1/2 ounces white chocolate (such as Ghirardelli brand) chopped
1/4 cup minced crystallized ginger
Cream Cheese Frosting (see recipe below)
White Chocolate Drizzle (see recipe below)


Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and then butter the paper, or use the Silicone Baking Mats to prevent the cookies from sticking.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; continue mixing until light. Sift together flour, ground ginger and salt; add to the butter-sugar mixture. Continue mixing until flour is incorporated. Fold in dried cranberries, chocolate, and crystallized ginger. Spread the batter in the prepared baking pan and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely in pan before frosting.

Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting. Remove cake from pan and trim off the edges so cake is uniformly flat. Using an offset spatula or the back of a large spoon, uniformly spread the frosting onto top of cake. Sprinkle minced dried cranberries on top of frosting and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Prepare White Chocolate Drizzle. Drizzle White Chocolate Drizzle decoratively over the entire frosted cake top.

To serve, slice the cake lengthwise down the center, making two long rectangles. Cut each rectangle into four equal portions; slice each of these in half diagonally.

Makes 16 bars.
 

Cranberry Ecstasy BarsCream Cheese Frosting:
1 (8-ounce package) cream cheese, room temperature
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons powdered (confectioners') sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup minced dried cranberries

In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, lemon zest and salt until well mixed.


White Chocolate Drizzle:

1 ounce white chocolate
1/4 cup sifted powdered (confectioners') sugar
1 teaspoon milk

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt white chocolate, whisk in powdered sugar and milk until well-mixed. Scrape into a small, sturdy plastic bag; cut a tiny corner of the bag and squeeze to decorate.