I'm dreaming of a white chocolate Christmas...

It's that time of the year again! I cannot believe it is already here! Time has flown for me this past year. I am just finishing up my first semester at Parsons. I cannot believe how exciting it has been so far. It is everything I thought it be, and so much more. I needed a study break from finals, so I decided to do a little baking.

This time of the year also features one my favorite things, the Cranberry Bliss bars at Starbucks. I found this wonderful recipe by: Gimmie Some Oven, and knew I had to give a try. Even if you don't like cranberries, you will still love these cookies. They are a perfect holiday treat. If you are looking for a great gift to make for your friends or loved ones, this cookies are it. They are different than the traditional holiday cookies. I love the balance of the white chocolate and the cranberries. The icing really sets the cookie off. I hope you love these little guys as much as I do, and I hope you all have a blessed holiday season!

You will need:

For The Cookies:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup white chocolate chips (Whole Foods sells mini chips, which I used)
• 1 cup chopped dried cranberries
For The Frosting:
• 1 (8 oz.) bar cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted in the microwave or double-boiler
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar
For The Topping:
• 1 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup white chocolate chips, melted in the microwave or double-boiler

 Cream together
 butter and sugars together, until fluffy.

Add egg and vanilla

In a seperate bowl, stir together flour, salt, and baking soda.
 gradually add dry mixture to wet mixture

Stir in 1 cup of cranberries & 1 cup white chocolate chips

Wrap dough in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for an hour or overnight.

Scoop tablespoon sized balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes (Cookies should be lightly golden).

Frosting: mix together room temperature cream cheese, and
melted white chocolate chips. Add vanilla. 

Finally, gradually blend in
sifted confectioners' sugar. Blend until fluffy

Allow cookies to cool.
Frost with icing and sprinkle the remaining chopped cranberries on top.

Drizzle remaining 1/4 cup melted chocolate chips,
and serve once frosting has set.

Merry Christmas!