Cranberry Bliss Bars

Having worked at Starbucks years ago, I fell in love with their seasonal offering of Cranberry Bliss Bars.  These are the right amount of spicy ginger, tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate chips.  There are many copycat recipes online and this is the first I've ever tried.  Hope you enjoy it!

Cranberry Bliss Bars

adapted from Lovin' from the Oven

• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 1–1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1–1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Dried Cranberries
• 1/4 cup plus 1/4–1/3 cup White Chocolate Chips
• 1/4 cup Crystallized Ginger Slices, minced - plus a little additional for the top if you really like ginger (optional)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1–1/2 cups powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease a 9×13 pan
2. Beat together the butter and sugar. Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
3. Add the flour, ginger, and salt into the batter. Beat well. Lightly stir in the 1/4 cup cranberries, 1/4 cup chocolate chips and minced ginger.
4. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for about 20-25 minutes
5. Make the frosting by beating the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add the powdered sugar and beat until you reach the desired consistency.
6. Spread the frosting onto the cooled cake.
7. Sprinkle the remaining cranberries and chocolate chips (and ginger, if desired) on the top.  Cut and serve!