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Growing Chefs! Ontario Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Blondies

Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Blondies

“Bright citrus, tart cranberries, and creamy white chocolate in a chewy, golden bar. Their taste encapsulates the holiday cookie tray. Perfect for an intergenerational class: simple enough for younger cooks, nostalgic enough for older bakers, and guaranteed to be eaten first!”
Difficulty
Intermediate
Yield
One 9 x 13 inch pan

Blondies

Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter2/3 cup white chocolate chips1 3/4 cups packed light brown sugar2 large eggs, at room temp1 large egg yolk, at room temp1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla1 teaspoon orange zest2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon ground ginger1 cup dried cranberries

Frosting

Ingredients
1 cup white chocolate chips8 ozs cream cheese, room temp3/4 cup icing sugar1 teaspoon orange zest1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
Equipment
Measuring cupsMeasuring spoonsMedium potBowls, various sizesWhiskSpatulaStand mixerCutting boardChef's knife9 x 13 inch baking dishParchment paperDish towel

Directions

Get Organized!

Gather your mise en place; get together all of the equipment needed for the recipe and gather your ingredients.

Get Prepped!

Preheat a couple of cups of water in a medium pot, and set up a double boiler by placing a stainless steel bowl on top. Pour the white chocolate and the butter for the blondies and the frosting into the pot and stir frequently until melted. Allow to cool slightly. In a separate bowl, add the white chocolate for the frosting, and melt that as well. 

Measure the brown sugar.

Crack the eggs into a small bowl and separate one additional yolk.

Zest the orange.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and ground ginger.

Measure the dried cranberries, and chop the dried cranberries.

Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened for smooth mixing.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, stir the packed brown sugar into the melted butter and white chocolate mixture.

Add the eggs and extra yolk one at a time, mixing well after each.

Stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest.

Add the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth, thick batter forms.

Fold in the dried cranberries.

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.

Get Cooking!

Bake for 25 – 30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

Cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting, in a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese and icing sugar until smooth.

Slowly pour half of the melted white chocolate for the icing into the mixture and continue mixing. Reserve the other half for drizzling.

Stir in the orange zest.

Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled blondies.

Sprinkle the chopped dried cranberries over the top.

Drizzle the remaining melted white chocolate across the bars.

Cut into squares and enjoy!