Orange Cranberry Cookie Bars

Name: Orange Cranberry Cookie Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8 dozen.
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar; 1 cup butter, melted; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 cup white baking chips; 1 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped; 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted; 1/4 cup grated orange zest; FROSTING:; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1 cup confectioners' sugar; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 3 tablespoons grated orange zest, divided; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/3 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

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Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

8 dozen

These cranberry cookie bars combine two beloved holiday flavors and top a delicious soft crust with cream cheese icing. We enjoy these during the holiday season. —Jennifer Blakely, Visalia, California

Orange Cranberry Cookie Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Ingredients

1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, melted
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup white baking chips
1 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/4 cup grated orange zest
FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons grated orange zest, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat brown sugar, melted butter, eggs and vanilla until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into sugar mixture. Stir in baking chips, cranberries, pecans and orange zest.
Spread into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 18-22 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
For frosting, in a large bowl, combine cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, butter, 1 tablespoon zest and vanilla; beat until smooth. Spread over bars. Combine dried cranberries and remaining 2 tablespoons zest; sprinkle over frosting. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Cut into triangles. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 triangle: 89 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 64mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.

Orange Cranberry Cookie Bars

Total Time

Makes

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Ingredients

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