Holiday Cranberry Orange Crunch Food

CRANBERRY-ORANGE HOLIDAY PUNCH

Steps:

• For the Bundt ice ring: Pour 1 inch of water into the bottom of a 12-cup Bundt pan. Add a quarter of the cranberries, 5 thyme sprigs and 2 bay leaves and evenly spread the ingredients around the Bundt pan--this will be the top of the ice cube. Place in the freezer to set for at least 4 hours.
• For the next layer, add enough water to fill halfway up the Bundt pan, then add the same quantity of ingredients as the first layer. Place in freezer for at least 4 more hours. Continue to make 2 more layers and freeze in the same manner, freezing each layer at least 4 hours before adding on the next. The final layer should freeze 8 hours or up to overnight before being used.
• Turn the Bundt pan onto a baking sheet and hold under running hot water until the Bundt ice ring releases onto the baking sheet, 5 to 10 seconds. Add to a punch bowl when ready to serve.
• For the spiced-thyme simple syrup: Combine the sugar with 2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and add the allspice, cloves, thyme and cinnamon sticks. Let steep while it comes to room temperature, 1 hour. Strain and refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the punch: Stir together the cranberry juice, vodka and 2 cups spiced-thyme simple syrup (save the remainder for another use). Pour over the Bundt ice ring in the punch bowl and top with prosecco and cranberries for garnish. Serve immediately.

CRANBERRY-ORANGE CRUNCH MUFFINS

Steps:

• Batter: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, then toss the cranberries in the mix and stir to coat.
• In a separate bowl, or in a large measuring cup, whisk together the egg, oil, milk, orange juice, and orange oil or peel. Gently and thoroughly mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
• Using a muffin or cookie scoop, or a 1/4-cup measure, pour the batter into 12 lightly greased muffin cups, filling them about 3/4 full.
• Topping: Combine all of the topping ingredients. Sprinkle a scant 1 tablespoon of topping over the batter in each muffin cup.
• Baking: Bake the muffins in a preheated 400°F oven for 20 minutes, or until they're nicely domed and a cake tester inserted into the center of one comes out clean.
• Remove the muffins from the oven, and run a knife around the edge of each one to separate it from the pan. Carefully tilt each muffin in its cup so steam doesn't collect underneath as they cool. After about 5 minutes, transfer them to a rack to cool completely.

CRANBERRY ORANGE CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 8 minutes, or until cranberries are bursting.
• Transfer the cranberry chutney to a bowl and chill until serving time.
• Extra chutney may be frozen in small freezer containers.
• Enjoy!