Cranberry Orange Bars

For the bars:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 10×15 pan by lining it with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray.

In a medium sized bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and ginger by whisking and set aside.

In a large bowl mix butter and sugars until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes). Add orange or vanilla extract and then add eggs one at a time. Add the sifted dry mixture, mixing until just combined, but do not over-mix. Fold or lightly mix in the cranberries and white chocolate chips just until incorporated.

Spread batter into the prepared pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-24 minutes or until light brown at the edges. You can also test to see if done with a toothpick or skewer. When it comes out clean after inserted into the middle, it is done. Don’t over-bake or they will be dry.

Remove from oven and let it cool completely. Do not attempt to frost them until the bars are 100% cooled or the frosting will melt.

For the frosting:
In a large bowl whip the cream cheese and butter until they are fluffy. Add the orange extract and powdered sugar and continue to whip until frosting is spreadable (add in 1 tablespoon of milk, if needed). Spread evenly over completely cooled bars.

Garnish: Sprinkle orange zest, then Craisins over frosted bars.

Combine white chocolate chips and oil in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave the white chocolate chips, stirring every 15 seconds until just melted. This will take about a minute total. Use a fork, whisk, or bottle to drizzle the white chocolate diagonally across the bars.

Allow at least an hour for the drizzled white chocolate and frosting to set up before cutting.

Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Recipe adapted from Food.com.