Apple Cranberry Bars With Orange Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Ingredients for Apple Cranberry Bars With Orange Buttercream Frosting

• Granulated Sugar
• 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (1 cup for bars, ½ cup for frosting)
• 3 large eggs
• Orange Rind
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (1 teaspoon for bars, 1 teaspoon for frosting)
• All Purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups peeled and chopped apples
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk (for frosting)

How to Make Apple Cranberry Bars With Orange Buttercream Frosting

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15 x 10 x 1-inch jelly roll pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter and 1 ½ cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in 3 large eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon orange zest.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
6. Fold in 2 cups peeled and chopped apples, 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, and ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional).
7. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Let cool completely in the pan before frosting.
10. For the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together ½ cup (1 stick) softened butter and 4 ounces cream cheese until smooth.
11. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon orange zest.
12. Gradually add 3-4 cups powdered sugar, adding milk (1-2 tablespoons at a time) until desired consistency is reached.
13. Spread frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
14. Cut into bars and serve.