Dessert; Cranberry Chocolate Chip Almond Bars

Copyright by The Old School Housewife
This recipe is courtesy of "Mr. Food".  I did make 3 changes though I added sliced almonds to the top crust and used mini chocolate chips instead of the regular size ones, I also used dark brown sugar instead of the light brown the recipe called for.  These bars burst so many flavors in your mouth, it's like a party in your mouth.  Sweet, chewy, chocolaty, a little crunchy from the almonds and oatmeal and just plain delicious.  They are good for an afterschool snack or even for breakfast or for anytime.  I  hope you try them and enjoy them as much as we did.

Cranberry Chocolate Chip Almond Bars
1 c. softened butter
1 c. packed dark brown sugar
1 c. sweetened dried cranberries
2 c. flour
1 1/2 c. uncooked oats
2 tblspns. grated orange peel
2 c. mini chocolate chips
1/4 heaping c. sliced almonds
1 (8oz.) pkg. softened cream cheese
1 (14oz.) sweetened condensed milk

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Coat a 9 x 11" pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, cream butter and brown sugar till smooth.  Beat in flour, oats and orange peel; mixture will be crumbly.  With a spoon, stir in chocolate chips and cranberries.  Reserve 2 cups of the mixture and press remaining mixture into prepared pan.  Bake 15 minutes.
3. Add the sliced almonds to the reserved mixture.
4. In a medium bowl, with electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese till smooth, then gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk.  Pour over hot crust when it comes out of the oven and top with the reserved mixture.
5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes till set.  Cool!  Cut into bars.
Enjoy! Enjoy!
(Save leftovers in the refrigerator because of the cream cheese)