Orange Cranberry Gems Food

CRANBERRY-ORANGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients into a saucepan over medium heat and simmer until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve at room temperature or cool and refrigerate. Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.

CRANBERRY ORANGE BARS

Steps:

• Grind cranberries and oranges, including peel; set aside.
• In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, ginger.add ground fruit -- bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cook and stir for 15 minutes or until thick.
• Remove from the heat; stir in nuts, if using.
• Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile for crust:.
• Combine flour, sugar and lemon peel in large bowl.
• Cut in butter until coarse crumbs form.
• Add egg yolks, vanilla and just enough water so dough holds it shape.
• Pat two thirds of dough into 13x9 pan --
• Cover with cranberry orange mixture.
• Crumble remaining dough on top.
• Bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes or until topping is golden brown.
• Cool and cut into bars.

CRANBERRY ORANGE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the orange mixture. Mix in cranberries and if using, walnuts, until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.
• In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set.

TRULY ORANGE CRANBERRY MUFFINS

Steps:

• Peel orange and place peel in a blender or food processor. Separate the orange into segments and place those in the blender too.
• Add the orange juice to the blender and process until well blended.
• Add the butter and egg and blend again until just blended.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Stir in the orange mixture into the dry ingredients just until moistened (do not overmix).
• Fold in the dried cranberries.
• Fill greased or lined muffin cups two-thirds full.
• Bake at 400 F for 15-20 minutes.
• Cool 5 minutes in tin before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

CRANBERRY ORANGE COOKIES WITH CRYSTALLIZED GINGER

Steps:

• Combine flour, baking powder and salt.
• Cream sugar and shortening together until light and fluffy.
• Add cream, orange extract and grated orange rind.
• Gradually add flour mixture.
• Fold in cranberries and candied ginger.
• Form dough into 2 logs, each about 1 1/2- inches in diameter.
• Wrap in waxed paper and chill for at overnight.
• Preheat oven to 375° and lightly grease cookie sheets.
• Cut the logs into 1/4-inch thick slices and bake for 12-15 minutes.
• For glaze mix together orange juice, powdered sugar and food coloring.
• Drizzle on cooled cookies.