ORANGE CRANBERRY COOKIE BARS

Orange Cranberry Cookie Bars image

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

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 8 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 18

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

Steps:

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 : Calories 89 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 14mg cholesterol, Sodium 64mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.