Cranberry Kiss Blondie Cheesecake Bars

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9X13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and trim parchment paper to fit. The cooking spray will keep the parchment paper in place and help with easy removal when it comes time to take the cheesecake bars out of the pan.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup softened butter using a handheld mixer. Add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the mixture.

In a separate bowl whisk together 2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon.

Combine wet and dry ingredients.

Fold in cranberries, mixing until combined.

Spread the blondie batter in the prepared baking pan. Bake for 18-25 minutes.

While blondies bake start cheesecake. In a large mixing bowl combine 2 8-ounce packages of room temperature cream cheese, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon orange zest.

Next add in 2 beaten eggs and 1/2 cup evaporated milk to the cream cheese mixture.

Melt white chocolate in the microwave. Once chocolate is melted add it to the cream cheese mixture.

Once cheesecake is mixed, spread the mixture on top of the baked blondies. Bake for 20 minutes then sprinkle 1/2 cup of dried cranberries on top of the cheesecake and cover with foil. Continue baking until middle is set.

Once cheesecake bars are out of the oven, allow to completely cool then refrigerate for 2-3 hours until completely set. Cut the bars to desired shapes and enjoy! Happy Holidays!