Last year after our trip to Asheville, North Carolina, I made oatmeal raisin bars, using the recipe from the bed and breakfast we had stayed at. In the post, I mentioned wanting to take the base recipe and change up some of the mix-ins, perhaps trying a white chocolate cranberry version. It took me over a year, but I finally got around to it!

When I mentioned to Ryan my plans, he not so subtly mentioned that he’d prefer just to have the regular version. Turns out, the boy thinks he isn’t much of a white chocolate fan (which I’d like to call his bluff on after watching him scarf down the creamsicle cookies with white chocolate chips that my sister recently made!). Once I get an idea, it’s tough to convince me otherwise, and I forged on with my original plan, promising Ryan I’d make the oatmeal raisin version again sometime soon.
After watching the white chocolate cranberry bars disappear from our kitchen in a matter of days, I think Ryan’s ready to retract that statement he made about white chocolate. I noticed the pan emptying faster than I was eating them and finally called him out on it—to which he (begrudgingly?) admitted he was a fan. I certainly don’t blame it. Even after healthifying the original version (less sugar, the addition of wheat germ), these tasted sinful. I’m anxious to try yet another variation—maybe chocolate chips and coconut?!

One Year Ago: Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf
Two Years Ago: Columbia Crest Cork & Fork Dinner Party

White Chocolate, Cranberry, Oatmeal Bars
adapted from my Oatmeal Raisin Bars

Ingredients:
-11 tbsp butter
-1/2 cup brown sugar
-1/4 cup granulated sugar
-1 egg
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/2 tsp cinnamon
-1 cup whole wheat flour
-2 tbsp wheat germ (optional)
-2 cups old-fashioned oats
-1/2 cup white chocolate chips
-1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9 inch square baking pan (I used an 8-inch pan and a mini loaf pan) with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.
2. Beat sugars, butter, egg, salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
3. Stir in wheat germ, flour, and oats, mixing until well combined. Stir in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
4. Spread batter evenly into pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes until lightly browned and an inserted toothpick comes out with a few crumbs. Allow bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.
**Will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 days.