Iced Cranberry Walnut Bars
(Makes one 9 x 13-inch pan)

My husband loves these chewy, old-fashioned bars. They are mildly spiced and filled with just the right amount of nuts and fruit. The colored jimmies are optional, but add a festive touch for the holidays.

2/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted Plugra butter, at cool room temperature
3 eggs graded large
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1-1/2 cups quick or old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1-1/4 cups (5 ounces) chopped dried cranberries (also called “craisins”)
1-1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (about 5 ounces)

For the Icing:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar
about 1-1/2 to 2 tablespoons light cream
colored jimmies (optional)

Preheat a conventional oven to 350 degrees, and set an oven rack in the center of the oven. Butter a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan. 

Combine the sugars, spices, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the butter, eggs and vanilla and beat on medium high until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape the bowl and add the flour, oats, coconut, cranberries and walnuts, beating on low speed for about 20-30 seconds, until the mixture is evenly blended and holds together.

Bake in the preheated oven 25-30 minutes. When done the cake will be golden brown, but the center will still be a little soft. Do not over bake.  Remove the pan from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool. While the cake is cooling, mix the icing.  Squiggle the icing generously over the completely cooled cake, and sprinkle with colored jimmies. Let the icing set, and double wrap the bar tightly with plastic wrap. Store it at room temperature for up to 4 days.

To make the icing: Mix the confectioners’ sugar and 1 tablespoon of the cream, using a small whisk. Add just enough of the remaining cream to make a consistency that will drizzle easily, but not be runny.

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