Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

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Cranberry Bliss Bars Recipe

Ingredients

Blondies
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup brown sugar, unpacked
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large egg whites
• 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped
Topping
• 8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 2 ounces white baking chocolate or vanilla almond bark, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugars, butter, egg whites, applesauce and vanilla until light and fluffy.
4. Add half of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and whisk to blend. Then mix in the remaining dry ingredients until the batter is combined. If the batter looks more “crumbly” than smooth, add just a drop of water at a time (only if needed) until it smooths out.
5. Fold the white chocolate chips and 1/3 cup cranberries into the batter. Spread batter into the prepared baking pan. Use the flat bottom of a measuring cup to smooth the top evenly.
6. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the edges at light golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Don't over-bake or the bars will be dry. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
7. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until well-blended. Spread the frosting onto the bars and sprinkle with remaining chopped cranberries. Drizzle with melted white chocolate. Once chocolate sets, cut into 15 large squares, then cut each square in half diagonally to create triangles. Keep refrigerated until serving.