Recipe: Apple Cranberry Bars

recipelink.com Chat Room Recipe Swap - 2001-02-16
From: recipelink.com

Apple Cranberry Bars
Recipe By : Land O Lakes Holiday Memories
Serving Size : 48

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
2 teaspoons orange peel, 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
orange butter cream:
1/3 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon orange peel, grated
2 to 4 teaspoons milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees; grease a 15 x 10 x 1-inch jelly roll pan. In a large mixer bowl, combine the sugar, butter, eggs, orange peel and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed, scraping the bowl often, for 2 to 3 minutes until well mixed. Reduce the speed to low; add the flour, baking soda and salt. Continue beating, scraping the bowl often, for 1 to 2 minutes until well mixed. By hand, stir in the apples, cranberries and nuts. Spread in the prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely. In a small mixer bowl, combine the butter, cream cheese and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed, scraping the bowl often, for 1 to 2 minutes until well mixed. Reduce the speed to low. Continue beating, gradually adding the powdered sugar, orange peel and enough milk for desired spreading consistency. Thinly frost the cooled bars; cut into bars.