Holiday Baking

I have been busy baking this Christmas Season here are a few of my favorite eats and a new treat!
Cranberry Bliss Bars

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter, softened

1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons ground ginger

3/4 teaspoon orange extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup dried cranberries

6 ounces white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped

FROSTING:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted

6 ounces white baking chocolate, melted

1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

1 teaspoon orange extract

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350* F

2. Make the blondie layer by beating the room temperature butter and brown sugar together with mixer. Add the eggs, ginger, orange and salt. Mix well. Gradually mix in flour and baking powder.  Mix in the cranberries and white chocolate by hand.

3. Spread the blondie batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 21-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool completely on a wire rack.

4. Prepare the frosting: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese, orange extract, and powdered sugar until well-blended. Gradually add half of the melted white chocolate; beat until blended. Frost brownies. Sprinkle with cranberries. Drizzle with remaining melted white chocolate. Cut into bars- square or triangle-shaped. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels