Cranberry Bliss Bars

INGREDIENTS

For the Bars

1/2 cup

unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)

large egg

1 cup

light brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 tsp

vanilla extract

1 cup

all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp

salt, optional and to taste

3/4 cup

white chocolate chips

1/2 cup

dried cranberries, loosely packed

1/2 tsp

orange zest, optional and to taste (edited to add this on 12-9-12)

For the Frosting and Topping

1 cup

white chocolate chips, melted and divided

4 oz

cream cheese, softened (whipped or light may be used)

3/4 tsp

vanilla extract

cups+ confectioners' sugar (I used about 2¾ cups)

1/4 cup

dried cranberries, loosely packed (optionally, roughly dice them if the pieces are larger)