Apple Cranberry Bars With Orange Buttercream Frosting

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 24
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons orange rind, grated
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups peeled apples, chopped
• 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen, coarsely chopped)
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon orange rind, grated
• 2 teaspoons milk, to 4 teaspoons

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350°f; grease a 15 x 10 x 1-inch jelly roll pan.
• 2 in a large mixer bowl, combine the sugar, butter, eggs, orange peel and vanilla extract.
• 3 beat on medium speed, scraping the bowl often, for 2 to 3 minutes until well mixed.
• 4 reduce the speed to low; add the flour, baking soda and salt.
• 5 continue beating, scraping the bowl often, for 1 to 2 minutes until well mixed.
• 6 by hand, stir in the apples, cranberries and nuts.
• 7 spread in the prepared pan. bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• 8 cool completely.
• 9 in a small mixer bowl, combine the butter, cream cheese and vanilla extract.
• 10 beat on medium speed, scraping the bowl often, for 1 to 2 minutes until well mixed.
• 11 reduce the speed to low.
• 12 continue beating, gradually adding the powdered sugar, orange peel and enough milk for desired spreading consistency.
• 13 thinly frost the cooled bars; cut into bars.