Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Is there anything like a delicious, made from scratch Thanksgiving meal? Many people settle for the stuff that comes out of a can or a box, and that's just it, it's settling. If you find yourself to be one of those people that is settling, I would highly recommend this year you give the homemade alternative to the pre-packaged and processed Thanksgiving foods a try. The two are a night and day difference. Like this for instance, one comes in the shape of a can while it's homemade opponent has a spoonable texture and begins with fresh fruit. Not to mention this is unbelievable easy to prepare. 

Cranberry sauce and turkey were made to be together. It's another Thanksgiving must. Here's a few random ideas if you happen to have any left over cranberry sauce after the holiday:

• spread over toast or pancakes
• serve warm over chocolate or vanilla ice cream
• spread in a turkey sandwich 
• make into a dressing or vinaigrette
• spread over a cream cheese layered bagel
• add to a fruit smoothie
• use it as a dip for chicken nuggets/sticks
• serve with roasted chicken or pork chops
• make a tangy and tart barbecue sauce with it
• spread over cheesecake
• add it to a chicken or turkey salad
• layer cheese slices or cream cheese over crackers and spread with cranberry sauce
• mix in breakfast oatmeal and top with whipped cream

Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

1 (12 oz) bag cranberries, rinsed

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light-brown sugar

1 tsp orange zest

Directions:

In a medium sauce-pan set over medium-high heat, whisk together water, orange juice, granulated sugar, light-brown sugar and orange zest. Bring mixture to a boil then carefully pour in cranberries and reduce heat to a simmer. Allow mixture to simmer about 10 - 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have popped (they skin on the cranberries will burst and it will release the juices and pulp, in other words they'll pop open). Allow mixture to cool about 20 - 30 minutes. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container. 

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies (aka Granola Bar Cookies)

Take a moment to think about everything you love about a granola bar, the chewiness, the flavors, the dried fruit and crunchy nuts. Now imagine that in cookie form. What do you get?  These! A loaded, perfectly spiced, chewy, deliciously sweet, thick oatmeal cookie!  They are most definitely one of my new favorite cookies. 

I created this recipe this past weekend because my brother and his family came to stay with us and I knew his favorite kind of cookie was oatmeal raisin cookies.  Of course I couldn't just stick with the plan ol' original oatmeal cookie, I had to spice it up and make it fancy =).  Try these and it's likely that your favorite oatmeal raisin cookie may just be pushed to second place.  Everyone loved these cookies!
Switch up this cookie as you wish. You could add milk or semi sweet chocolate chips in place of white chocolate chips. You could add in almonds for the nut and use 1/2 tsp almond extract along with 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Or, you could even change up the berry and try dried blueberries, mmm yes the blueberry and almond combo would be good together I'm going to have to try that next. Ahh yes or add some orange or lemon zest for a fresh citrus flavor (sorry I'm just thinking out loud in writing now =).  Make these exactly as written or add your own twist, either way I believe you are going to thoroughly enjoy these cookies!

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yields about 3 dozen (about 34)


Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup dried cranberries (such as Craisins), lightly chopped into smaller pieces
1 cup white chocolate chips
3/4 chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds or macadamia nuts (optional)


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, rolled oats, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg, set aside.  In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip together butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy about 3-4 minutes.  Stir in eggs one at a time and vanilla.  Slowly add in flour mixture and mix until incorporated.  Add in dried cranberries, white chocolate chips and optional nuts.  Roll cookie dough into balls, about 2 Tbsp per ball, and drop onto buttered cookie sheets.  Bake 9 - 10 minutes until lightly golden.  Allow to cool several minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool.  Store cookies in an airtight container.


Recipe Source: Cooking Classy