Have yourself a cranberry little Christmas

They’re seasonal, brightly-coloured, and, when cooked correctly, taste wonderful. Cranberry juice, with its signature tartness, has uses as a mixer, both in and out of the holiday season.

With that in mind, the US Cranberry Marketing Committee wants to play Santa a bit early, bringing several recipes for the world to try, such as oatmeal cranberry white chocolate cookies (courtesy of Ocean Spray – a cranberry retailer), acorn squash with cranberry stuffing and hot cranberry punch. Read on for the recipes:

Hot cranberry punch

2 quarts apple cider
2 quarts cranberry juice cocktail\
1/3 cup brown sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
1/2 lemon, sliced

In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients and simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes. Remove lemon slices and serve warm.

Acorn squash with cranberry stuffing

1 medium-sized acorn squash, halved, seeds removed
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup celery
1/2 cup onion
1 apple, peeled and chopped
3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
3/4 cup cooked rice
1/2 orange, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice

In microwavable dish, place squash cut side down and add 3 tablespoons water. Cover and cook on high heat for 5-7 minutes or until fork tender. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and saute celery and onion until tender crisp. Add remaining ingredients and warm through. Spoon mixture into squash halves and serve immediately.

Oatmeal, cranberry and white chocolate chunk cookies
(makes approximately 30 cookies)

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (6-ounce) package sweetened dried cranberries
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in sweetened dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

(recipe courtesy of Ocean Spray)