Ingredients:

  • ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
  • ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt (for base)
  • ½ cup Unsalted Butter, softened
  • ¾ cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
  • Large Egg, room temperature
  • teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • ¾ cup Dried Cranberries
  • ½ cup White Chocolate Chips
  • oz Cream Cheese, full-fat, softened
  • ¼ cup Unsalted Butter, softened (for frosting)
  • cups Powdered Sugar, sifted
  • teaspoon Fresh Orange Zest
  • –2 teaspoons Fresh Orange Juice
  • Pinch of Salt (for frosting)
  • oz White Chocolate or Orange-Flavoured Candy Melts (for drizzling)
  • tablespoons Finely Chopped Dried Cranberries (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a small bowl.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Beat in the egg and vanilla until just combined.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Gently fold in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
  5. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs attached.
  6. Let the base cool completely in the pan. While cooling, beat the softened cream cheese and ¼ cup butter until smooth.
  7. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, orange zest, and salt to the cream cheese mixture. Mix until incorporated, adding orange juice 1 teaspoon at a time until a thick, spreadable frosting is achieved.
  8. Once the base is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
  9. Refrigerate the frosted bars for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set firmly.
  10. Melt the white chocolate/candy melts. Drizzle decoratively over the chilled frosting, then immediately sprinkle with the finely chopped dried cranberries before the chocolate sets.
  11. Use the parchment paper overhangs to lift the slab out. Slice into 16 neat squares using a sharp, warm knife.