Chocolate-Cranberry Holiday Bars

A sweet, cranberry cream cheese topping elevates these classic brownies to a worthy holiday treat.

Yield: 2 dozen bars

Ingredients

Bars

• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (packed) brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Cranberry Cream Topping

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup finely-chopped dried cranberries

Chocolate Drizzle

• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons whipping cream or more to achieve desired consistency

Instructions

Bars

1. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a small saucepan or in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Set aside.
2. On a paper plate, whisk together flour and salt; set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl with electric beaters, beat the eggs until fluffy, about 1 minute.
4. Gradually beat in brown sugar.
5. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and vanilla extract.
6. Stir in flour mixture until blended.
7. Blend in walnuts and chocolate chips.
8. Spread the batter in a buttered 13 x 9 inch baking pan.
9. Bake in a 325 degrees F oven for 20 to 22 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
10. Cool in pan on wire rack.

Cranberry Cream Topping

1. Cream the butter and cream cheese together in a bowl until light and fluffy.
2. Gradually beat in vanilla extract and powdered sugar; mix in cranberries.
3. Spread mixture over cooled brownies. Refrigerate until set.

Chocolate Drizzle

1. Melt the chocolate chips and cream over low heat or in the microwave.
2. Cool slightly.
3. Dip a fork into the mixture and drizzle over the cranberry layer.
4. Chill until firm. Cut into 2 x 2 inch squares.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin