one of my favorite holiday treats is the starbucks cranberry bliss bar. they are such a pretty treat and would make a great gift but all the recipes i found were only for a small pan and i want a large batch. so i wrote my own recipe. i tested it at our bake off weekend and they turned out great!
now when you read this recipe, don't freak out! espeically when it starts with 4 sticks of butter...this makes a lot...a whole half-sheet pan to be exact!
bar:
1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups white chocolate chips
2 cups dried cranberries, chopped and divided
preheat the oven to 350 degrees. grease and flour an 18 x 13 x 1 inch baking pan.
in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on high speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. with the mixer on low, add the vanilla, then the eggs, one at a time, and mix well, scraping down the bowl. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt and with the mixer still on low, slowly add flour mixture to the butter mixture. fold the white chocolate chunks and 1 ½ cups cranberries in with a rubber spatula.
spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. bake for 30-40 minutes. don't overbake! a toothpick may not come out clean. cool completely in the pan.
Frosting:
1 pound (two 8oz. packages) cream cheese, soften and cut into small pieces
6 tbls unsalted butter, soften and cut into small pieces
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
5 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 tbls orange zest
in a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. add the vanilla and beat well. gradually add the sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating continuously until smooth and creamy. add the orange zest and beat well. cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours to thicken before using.
when the frosting has thicken, spread over the pan of bars. sprinkle ½ cup dried cranberries on top. cut into triangle pieces. enjoy!

