Cranberry Bars and Two Great Giveaways!

I have been making cranberry bars for years, sometimes at Thanksgiving and sometimes at Christmas. I love the creamy, lemony middle topped by the cranberries.  They whip up fast  -- don't let the four layers scare you. 

See below for two great giveaways I have found in blogland.

From my Veteran's Day Tablescape.



Recipe for Cranberry Bars

1st Layer

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1-1/2 cups oats

1 cup butter, softenened.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  With mixer, beat flour, oats, brown sugar and butter until crumbly.  Set aside 1-1/2 cups of mixture to top bars with in 4th layer, then press remaining mixture on the bottom of  a greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan.  Bake 15 mintues or until lightly browned. 

2nd Layer

1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup lemon juice -- reconstituted is fine for this recipe

With mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy.  Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth, stir in lemon juice.  Spread over the baked crust (first layer).

Third Layer

1 (16-ounce) whole berry cranberry sauce

2 tablespoons corn starch

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Combine cranberry sauce, corn starch and brown sugar.  Spoon over cheese layer.

Fourth Layer

Top third layer with reserved crumb mixture.  Bake about 45 minutes or until golden.  Watch carefully and do not overbake.  Cool and cut into bars.  

Refrigerate leftovers.  You can serve warm with ice cream.  I like the flavor of them best the next day after baking.  I think this may have been a Kraft recipe; I am not sure.

Here are two GREAT giveaways I found in blogland!

Click HERE to be directed to Our Family Treat's Nordicware Giveaway.  I am a huge fan of their seasonal pans.

 Click HERE to be directed to a giveaway, sponsored by Bringing Peace into the Home, of the print "Be It Unto Me" of Liz Lemon Swindle.  She is giving away five of these prints.  Wouldn't you love to have one in your home this Christmas?

Thanksgiving Challenge

Today, I am simply thankful for central heating.  It was cold yesterday and it was the first time we turned on the heat this season.  How convenient, and luxurious, it is to just flip a switch and there is lovely heat surrounding you in minutes!  I have lived in a home, where for economy's sake, that we heated mainly by a woodstove.  I didn't enjoy building a fire, stoking the fire, and taking care of the ashes.  Heat is just something we take for granted!

Posted With the Following:
Days of Thanksgiving Holiday Party, I'm Lovin' It, Feature Yourself Friday, Foodie Friday, Tickled Pink, Weekend Wrapup