Amazing Cranberry Bars and Cookies

Cranberries are such an amazingly versatile berry in both juices, fresh and rich desserts. This article will have two recipes for both cranberry bars and cookies that are a favorite any time of year. These are rich decadent desserts that are perfect for entertaining for any occasion.

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup softened butter
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar (firmly packed)
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 1 egg
• 1 ¾ cup all purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup white vanilla baking chips (6 ounces)
• 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries

In large bowl beat softened butter, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla, almond extract and egg with an electric mixer on medium until well mixed. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold in vanilla baking chips and cranberries and mix gently being careful not to break cranberries or chips.

Drop dough by rounded spoonfuls on an ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 – 15 minutes or until light brown. Cool a few minutes then remove from baking sheet onto cooling racks to finish cooling.

Cranberry Crumb Bars

• 2 ½ cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup ground slivered almonds
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold butter
• 1 egg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Filling Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 teaspoons or orange juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 13x9 inch pan with either butter or nonstick cooking spray.
2. In large bowl mix flour, 1 cup sugar, almonds, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter with a pie crust pastry blender or butter knives until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in eggs. Press 2 ½ cups of crumb mixture in the bottom of the pan. Stir cinnamon into remaining crumb mixture and set aside.
3. In another bowl, stir all filling ingredients. Spoon evenly over crust in pan. Now spoon reserved crumb mixture evenly over filling layer.
4. Baker 45 – 55 minutes or until top is light golden brown. Cool completely and then refrigerate until chilled. Cut into rows then squares and store in tightly covered dish in the refrigerator.

These will sure to be a hit with family, friends and neighbors. These also make great gifts as well. Try serving these on a fancy plate, wrapped with plastic wrap and tied with a beautiful red bow. Perfect for co-workers, office holiday parties, school functions, gifts for teachers and any other person you'd like to say thanks to or appreciate in some way.

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