Monday's Menu

It's getting that time of year. I've seen the bags of cranberries in the produce section.

Today's recipe uses those seasonal favorites. They were classified under breakfast bars on the (no longer existing) website where I first found this recipe. It also had a note that said the recipe originally came from Land O' Lakes Holiday Memories which I assume is one of those little recipe books that lots of companies publish to encourage sales.

I have made these and frozen them for Hubby to pull out when he got a hankering for some. He's really the only cranberry lover in our house. But that's okay. I know that I can be kind of picky so I decided some time ago that there was no reason he couldn't have things he likes just because I might not care for them. And he still fusses at me for making something just for him. He's a sweet man, my Hubby.

So enjoy this little offering that doesn't have to be seasonal but certainly fits the bill.

Apple Cranberry Bars

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup butter/margarine - softened
2 eggs
2 teaspoons orange peel - grated
2 teaspoons vanilla
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 and coarsely chopped
1 cup chopped nuts

Orange Buttercream:
1/3 cup butter or margarine - softened
3 ounces cream cheese - softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon orange peel - grated
2-4 teaspoons milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 15x10x1 inch jelly roll pan. In large bowl, combine sugar, butter, eggs, orange peel, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl often, for 2 -3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Continue beating, scraping the bowl often, for 1 -2 minutes or until well mixed. By hand, stir in apples, cranberries, and nuts. Spread in prepared pan. Bake for 30 -35 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
For orange buttercream:
In small mixing bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until well mixed. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar, orange peel, and enough milk to reach desired spreading consistency. Thinly frost and cut into bars.