Holiday Gifts
by Michelle Stahnke UCCE Master Food Preserver
I'd like to make holiday gifts featuring cranberries. Are there any recipes you'd recommend that aren't too complicated, expensive or time-consuming to produce? Pam B. Atascadero
For a bright, flavorful and fun recipe, try Orange Cranberry Scone Mix in a jar. Just use your favorite scone recipe, putting only the dry ingredients in the jar. Dry citrus zest and cranberries in a dehydrator following manufacturer's instructions. Mix zest with sugar and place on top of dry ingredients, filling remainder of jar with dried cranberries before putting on the lid! Make sure you include a card letting your recipient know what wet ingredients to add and how to bake. You can repurpose pint-size mason jars into charming gifts by tying on a tag with the scone recipe instructions using a festive ribbon. A case of twelve jars can be purchased, making this an easy choice for assembling several gifts at one time. For something extra-special, place a jar in a pretty mixing bowl with a holiday dish towel and a wooden spoon, or wrap it in clear cellophane with a bag of loose leaf tea, a jar of sanding sugar, and a fancy bow. A ceramic scone pan paired with a scone scoop (a small ¼ cup scoop), and a jar of this festive mix would make any baker's heart sing! You can use lemon, orange, or lime zest for different flavor profiles. Or try adding some candied ginger to the mix.
For an easy holiday jam try Pineapple Cranberry Freezer Jam. With a unique tangy and sweet flavor, a jar of this jam is sure to please anyone who receives it! The jam can be kept in the freezer for up to one year and can be removed for gift giving at any time! Visit Ball® Preserving website for the recipe https://www.freshpreserving.com/cranberry-pineapple-jam-recipe-%7C-pineapple-recipes---ball-recipes-br1162.html#q=cranberries&start=8 or jot down the recipe below:
Makes about 4 (8 oz) half pints
1 ½ cups sugar
5 Tbsp Instant Pectin
2 cups fresh or frozen coarsely chopped cranberries
1 8oz can crushed pineapple with juice
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp orange zest
4 plastic 8 oz Ball® freezer jars
Directions
Stir sugar and instant pectin in a bowl until well blended. Add cranberries, pineapple and juice, lemon juice and orange zest. Stir 3 minutes. Ladle Cranberry Pineapple Jam into clean jars to fill line. Twist on lids. Let stand until thickened about 30 minutes. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 1 year.
Gifts from your heart and hands are memorable ones and enjoyed by all!