Description
Deliciously rich blondies featuring white chocolate and tart cranberries, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup butter (cubed)
- 1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temp)
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoon pure orange extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 6 ounces white baking chocolate (coarsely chopped)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
- 6 ounces white baking chocolate (melted)
- ½ cup dried cranberries (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter; stir in the brown sugar. Cool slightly before moving to the next step.
- In the same bowl, add eggs, beating well, and then add in the vanilla and orange extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt and then stir these dry ingredients into the butter mixture.
- Add in the cranberries and chopped chocolate (batter will be thick) and stir well. Spread the mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (do not over bake), 18-21 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Melt the white chocolate in the microwave so it’s soft and ready to add to the frosting mixture. To melt white chocolate chunks in the microwave, use a microwave-safe bowl on medium power (or 50% power) for short intervals of 10-15 seconds, stirring well after each interval until smooth.
- In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and orange zest until smooth. Gradually beat in half of the melted white chocolate; spread over blondies.
- Sprinkle with cranberries; drizzle with remaining melted chocolate. Optional to add additional orange zest on top of the bars.
- As soon as the blondies are cool and frosted, cut into squares, or cut into triangles.
Notes
- Can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For added flavor, consider using orange juice in addition to the orange zest.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 21 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg