Cranberry Almond Blondies

A bright and easy alternative to the brownie, these Cranberry Almonds Blondies are sure to please! 

Directions

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350.

2. You will need a stand mixer (or hand mixer), a 9x13" glass baking dish, measuring spoons, measuring cups, spatula, mixing spoons, a small mixing bowl, zester, chopping board, knife, and saute pan for toasting the almonds.

3. Chop 1 cup of Eatnuts.com Sliced Natural Almonds and toast in a saute pan over medium heat until barely golden brown, set aside and let cool. Melt one stick of butter in the microwave and incorporate 1 cup of brown sugar until dissolved. Pour the sugar mixture into the stand mixer bowl and let cool to room temperature. While the sugar mixture cools, add 2 cups of all purpose flour into a separate mixing bowl, along with 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt - blend well.

4. In the stand mixer bowl, add in ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon grated orange peel, 2 teaspoons orange marmalade, and 2 eggs - beat at medium speed until thoroughly incorporated. Lower the speed of your mixer and add in the dry ingredients in batches until combined, scraping the bowl as necessary. With a mixing spoon, fold in ½ cup of the toasted and chopped Eatnuts.com Sliced Natural Almonds, ½ cup of chopped Eatnuts.com Dried Cranberries, and 1/2 cup of white chocolate morsels. Batter will be thick.

5. Spread the batter into your prepared 9x13 glass baking dish and bake are 350 for approximately 18 minutes, until the edges begin to turn a warm golden color, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Set aside and let cool thoroughly before frosting.

6. Frosting: In your clean stand mixer, blend 1 package of softened cream cheese, 1 cup of confectioners' sugar, and 1 teaspoon grated orange peel, and 6 drops of red food coloring until combined. Melt 1 cup of white chocolate morsels in the microwave, and with the stand mixer on low, slowly drizzle in until frosting is smooth - reserve about two tablespoons of melted chocolate for finishing.

7. Frost the cooled blondies and sprinkle with ½ cup of chopped Eatnuts.com Dried Cranberries, ½ cup toasted and chopped Eatnuts.com Sliced Natural Almonds, 2 teaspoons of grated orange peel, and drizzle on the remaining melted white chocolate. Cut with heart shape cookie cutter, or into squares, and store in the refrigerator.

    

Recipe Adapted from Taste of Home