Christmas Goodies!

Saturday night I came home from our date and found myself with time for myself! The girls were in bed and Nolan was studying for Sunday School. So many things I could do, craft, read, sleep, clean.....bake! I took the opportunity to listen to Jazzy Christmas music and bake a treat for my man! Here is what I made...

Cranberry Bliss Bars
(Similar to Starbucks')

Cake:
  1 cup butter, softened
  3/4 cup brown sugar
  1/2 cup white sugar
  3 eggs
  1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  1 teaspoon ginger
  1/4 teaspoon salt
  1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  3/4 cup diced dried cranberries
  6 oz. white chocolate...cut into chunks (I used white chocolate chips)
Frosting:
  4 oz. cream cheese, softened (I used an 8 ounce tub of whipped creamed cheese)
  3 cups icing sugar
  4 teaspoons lemon juice  (I used the juice and rind of one clementine)
  1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  1/4 cup diced dried cranberries
Drizzled Icing:
  1/2 cup icing sugar
  1 Tablespoon milk
  2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
  (I used the rest of the white chocolate chips and just melted them in the microwave. Put in a baggie and cut
    the tip to drizzle)
Prepare:
1.Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Make cake by beating butter and sugar together until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, ginger and salt and beat well. Gradually mix in flour until smooth. Dice cranberries.

3. Add 3/4 cup cranberries and white chocolate chunks to batter...fold in. Pour batter into a well-greased 9" x 13" baking pan...spread evenly. Bake for 35 minutes or until cake is lightly browned on the edges. Allow to cool.

4. Make frosting by combining cream cheese, icing sugar, lemon juice and vanilla in a medium bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Frost cooled cake, using spatula to spread evenly

5. Sprinkle 1/4 cup diced cranberries over freshly frosted cake

6. Whisk together 1/2 cup icing sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and shortening. Drizzle icing over cranberries. I used a pastry bag with a fine tip.

             
  Speaking of delicious things to have this time of year, I must share with you my favorite treat.  This Sweet & Spicy Tea is like cinnamon and chai. No sugar or cream required. It is amazing, and calorie free! YUM!