Smart Cookies: Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Blondies

While I was planning something to make for this month’s Smart Cookies recipe, I was thinking of Thanksgiving and Autumn flavors. Pumpkin is typically a standby, but I have to be honest, I’m already over it. Maybe its the over load of pumpkin spiced lattes, or maybe its because I feel like everything pumpkin has been done.

Also, when I think of Thanksgiving, my mind automatically goes to cranberries. Next to stuffing, that is probably my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner. I will eat cranberries in just about any way shape or form. I have no discrimination when it comes to cranberries. I will eat jellied out of the can cranberries, cranberry sauce, cranberry relish, dried cranberries, cranberry juice, cranberry salad, vodka and cranberry with a twist of lime.

That got me thinking, how could I showcase cranberries in a portable treat. I ran the cranberry blondies by my friend, Colleen, and she reminded me to add orange zest (like a cranberry orange muffin). They are so sweet, dense, and brownie-like. In fact… I may have another.

 

Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Blondies

2 sticks unsalted butter
3 – 1 oz squares of Baker’s White Chocolate Squares
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 Tbs orange zest
2 cups plus 2 tsp all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish or pan.

In a small bowl, toss together cranberries, white chocolate chips, and 2 tsp of flour and set aside. Next, melt butter and white chocolate squares in a small sauce pan over low heat stirring occasionally until completely melted and combined. Let this mixture cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl combine sugar, eggs, vanilla, and orange zest until well combined.

 

Slowly add cooled butter and white chocolate mixture while mixing. Then, add flour and salt and mix until just combined. Finally, fold in cranberries and white chocolate chips.

 

Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan and bake for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool for about 15 minutes before cutting into squares.

 

These turned out fabulous, and I cannot wait to have another with a cup of tea while I watch election returns tonight!

 

For more information about Smart Cookies visit www.smart-cookies.org. Also you can check out past Smart Cookie recipes here and here.

Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *