I live in the heart of cranberry country. Wisconsin leads the nation in cranberry production, and this year the state harvested one of its largest crops ever. We’re talking 7,363,000 barrels of the tart and juicy crimson berries.
Did you know that cranberries are one of only three fruits native to North America? Concord grapes and blueberries complete the list. However, with Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, all eyes are on the festive-looking cranberry.
Fortunately, cranberries are an incredibly versatile fruit that can be used to create an array of seasonal treats, from decorations to delicious desserts. What’s more, because the berries are so readily available this time of year, you don’t have to dig too deep to purchase all that you need to craft the following cranberry creations:
CRANBERRY CANDLES
Materials:
4-6 clear martini glasses
12 ounces of fresh cranberries
4-6 votive candles
Flowers and decorative greenery
Directions:
Fill glasses 2/3 full with fresh cranberries.
Place a votive candle on top of the cranberries. You want to nestle the candle in the berries so it does not fall; however, be sure not to get the flame to close to the berries or they will burst.
Add a few blossoms or sprigs of greenery.
CRANBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cups (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cups brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups quick oats
1 cups dried cranberries
1 cup white chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a small bowl; set aside.
Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
Add butter mixture into flour mixture.
Stir in oats, dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
Drop a teaspoon’s worth of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet until all of the dough is used up.
Bake 7 to 8 minutes for chewy cookies, 9 to 10 minutes for crisp cookies.
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