White Chocolate Cranberry Bars

These are almost exactly like the cranberry bliss bar from everyone's favorite addictive coffee shop.  They are basically blondies with white chocolate chips and cranberries, topped with frosting and awesomeness. 

I made them in a 9x13 pan, and next time I will definitely use a bigger pan.  They are so rich that you really just need a little piece. 

I found several versions of this recipe online and combined them into what you see here. 

White Chocolate Cranberry Bars
- 2 sticks butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 tsp baking powder (high alt, use 1 1/2 at lower elevations)
- 2 tsp vanilla 
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup craisins
- 1 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  Cream butter and sugars.  Beat in eggs one at a time until light and fluffy.  Add baking powder, vanilla and ginger and combine thoroughly.  Add flour a cup at a time.  Fold in chips and craisins until just combined.

Pour into greased pan and spread so it is even.  If using 9x13 it will take about 28 min.  If using a larger pan, check at about 22 minutes.  You don't want to overcook them, they are done when toothpick comes out clean.

Cool completely before frosting.

Frosting
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 4 cups powdered sugar

Combine cream cheese, butter and vanilla.  Add sugar a cup at a time until desired consistency is reached.  Frost cooled bars.

Topping
- 1 cup chopped craisins
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vegetable oil

Sprinkle craisins over frosted bars.  Melt chips in microwave and blend with oil.  Drizzle over bars and let set before cutting.