Cranberry Bars

 

1 1/2

cups granulated sugar

3/4

cup butter or margarine, softened

2

teaspoons vanilla

2

eggs

2 1/4

cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1

teaspoon baking soda

1/4

teaspoon salt

1

package (10 oz) frozen cranberry-orange sauce, thawed

1/3

cup butter or margarine, softened

1

package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened

1

teaspoon vanilla

2

cups powdered sugar

About 1 tablespoon milk

1/2

cup chopped walnuts

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking spray.
• 2 In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, 3/4 cup butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla and the eggs with electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl frequently, until well mixed. Beat in flour, baking soda and salt on low speed. Continue beating on low speed, scraping bowl frequently, until well mixed. Stir in cranberry-orange sauce. Spread in pan.
• 3 Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack, about 30 minutes.
• 4 In small bowl, beat 1/3 cup butter, the cream cheese and 1 teaspoon vanilla on medium speed 1 to 2 minutes, scraping bowl frequently, until well mixed. Continue beating on low speed, gradually adding powdered sugar and enough milk until spreadable. Spread frosting over bars; sprinkle with walnuts. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.