July 20th, 2009 
duodishes 
We all find ourselves in a “slump” of sorts from time to time. What do you do to get over that unexpected touch of weekend blues? A trip to your alcohol cabinet followed by a delectable dessert may just do the trick! Now wait wait–we’re definitely not advocates for drowning those sorrows away with booze, nor is it a good idea to fill up on sweets to help push them away. Plus, didn’t we say we’re trying to limit our sweets? Oh well! We’re over it. This is nothing but pure butter, sugar, eggs and a touch of the spirits to put a little pep in your step. We know we’re not the only ones who can appreciate that kind of boost from time to time.
After rummaging through the cabinets and fridge, we were inspired to get our creative juices flowing and have fun in the kitchen. That was more important than the end result. For starters, everyone loves an Amaretto Sour. What if you could eat one? This was the basis for our original creation. It proved once again that rifling through the pantry can not only save you dollars and cents, but also help take your mind away from whatever it is that had you down and out in the first place.
Amaretto Cranberry Bars with Orange Glaze - Serves 12
Crust
3 1/4 cups walnuts
1 teaspoon port wine
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 cup brown sugar
1. Chop nuts roughly in food processor. Add wine. Transfer to large bowl, mixing in remaining ingredients until well combined.
2. Press nut mixture flat at the bottom of your lightly greased 9½ x 13 baking pan. (If you want to use a jelly-roll pan, double the ingredients for the crust and cake to ensure you have enough to fill the whole pan–parchment paper works great too, especially when using a jelly-roll pan).
3. Bake crust in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 5-8 minutes, being careful not to burn the nuts. Set aside and let crust cool.
Cake
3/4 cup Jiffy Cornbread Mix
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, unsalted
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup amaretto
1 cup whole dried cranberries
1. Mix first four ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.
2. In a larger bowl, cream together butter and sugar, adding in the eggs and mixing until light and fluffy (about 4 minutes). Add amaretto.
3. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until everything is well incorporated. Toss in cranberries.
4. Evenly spread cake batter over the cooked walnut crust. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. (Cake will not be fully cooked.) Carefully set aside and let cool completely.
Glaze
2 eggs
2 tablespoons flour
Zest of 1 lemon
4 tablespoons orange juice
2 teaspoons orange zest
1/8 teaspoon salt
1. While cake bakes, beat all ingredients on medium speed for 5 minutes.
2. Brush evenly over cake and bake for a remaining 10 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in middle of pan.
3. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack.
Icing
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
Juice of 1 orange
1/3 cup milk*
1. Whip together all ingredients until frosting forms, about 5 minutes.
2. When ready to serve, slice cake into bars and drizzle icing over each piece. Top with chopped walnuts and dried cranberries.
(*If you have champagne or sparkling wine, substitute for milk for an extra delight.)
Click HERE for the printable recipe.
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MMMMMM,..these delights look so delicious! I would like to savour at least 3 of them: Nah!
Although I normally don’t go for sweet foods I’ve been craving them a lot lately (maybe I’m pregnant?) and boy do these look sweet. Yum!
What’s the yellow layer in the middle?
It looks perfect with a cup of coffee..
This sounds delicious. Eating an amaretto sour… now there’s a great idea!
Good Grace, this look absolutely delicious and irresistible.
Amaretto!! LOVE you both for this one
yum!
Looks great as usual! Good combination of flavors, Another winner from the “dynamic duo.”
WOw, definitely the way to get over the blues…looks amazing!
These bars look like the perfect pick-me-up! Gorgeous!
Nice way to cure them blues!! Pass me a piece. Yum!!
Wine + chocolate = a happy Diana.
I fully endorse the ingestion of alcohol and sweets during a nasty case of the blues. If you can combine both in one, even better! (especially when there are cranberries involved!)
Goodness, these are bound to put a smile on anyone’s face. They look so delicious and moist!
So drowning those sorrows away with booze, and filling up on sweets to get rid of the blues is the answer. I took note of that :-p
No blues to wash away, but I’d take a couple, oh, a dozen, pieces.
This is a delightful treat for kids and grown-ups alike I love sweets…
Thanks for sharing your recipe:)
Have a sweet monday ~~~
These would yank me out of a slump! What a delicious treat – and so creative!
Love your creativity in the kitchen. Sounds like a delicious dessert.
That looks so good!
Congrats on being nominated, I voted for you guys!
One word: YUMMY!
Those certainly look like they could pick me out of a slump. Yum!
Oooh, I’ll drink to those Amaretto cranberry bars!
Very creative–love how you made the drink into a dessert bar–they look great!
I know one friend that would absolutely love these as she loves Amaretto Sours! Actually I think I know more than one friend that would love this
Yum, I believe these are definitely insulin worthy! Thanks for sharing!
This would wash away my blues in seconds flat! Awesome just awesome.
Wow, these bars look so yummie…moist and messy…the way that I like. Nice pictures!
The nut crust sounds great, and the orange flavor with cranberries is just perfect.
There’s nothing wrong with sugar and alcohol. They’re 2 of the 4 major food groups, along with fat and bacon. Okay… I guess this is a good time to mention that I failed health in high school, but this looks delicious!
I don’t think I could eat just 1, no…I know I can’t eat just 1!!!! Give me the whole plate!
Dude, after the day I’ve had at work, I wish there was a plate of this waiting for me at home! And even if i wasn’t having a crummy day, I’d still want this at home. These bars seem like they would be mood medicine!
This would definitely take me out of my doldrums and shoot me across the sky:)
A great way to wash away the blues! Those bars are wonderful
Cheers,
Rosa
These beautiful bars would definitely wash away my blues – they look terrific.
This certainly looks moist and right up my sweet lovin alley! I like the combination, and living next door to you two would be dangerous!
I am also excited for you on the extravaganza event! The time of the year is here for this stuff! Have fun…
Anything with port in it would make me feel better! Not that I can enjoy any anytime soon…boo. These look fab though!
I could use some of that right now!! Looks delicious!!
Usually, a dose of bright sunshine is enough to pull me out of the blues; but then again, these bars are a lot more tasty! I could be in a windowless room and a taste of this would have me dancing in the dark!
omigoodness, i put on 5 lbs just by looking at those pics. they look positively tantalizing. what is that yellowy custardlike layer between the crust and the cake???
Great looking bars! I like the combination of cornmeal and cranberries especially. A little booze never hurt anyone… and frequently helped many!
They look delicious.
These bars would certainly wash away my blues! They look fabulous!
wow! great job you guys!! i like the combination you have used.. this is looking rili gooood!!
wow..very inventive and sounds like a great bar..I have to try this!