Whether they’re in our food or part of our decor, cranberries are ever-present during the winter holidays and brighten any space they occupy. From antioxidant-rich face masks to swirled cheesecakes, here are four ways to use this versatile berry.
Cranberry garland
Supplies (quantity may adjust to container size)
Four small Pinecones (about one inch tall)
15 inches of thick string
21 Cranberries
One Toothpick
Hot glue gun
Steps:
Cut the thick string into desired length, then tie one end tightly to a toothpick.
Pierce the cranberries into the toothpick and pull toothpick from the other end. Repeat process for about 5 cranberries.
Hot glue a pinecone directly to the string, carefully making sure the pinecones all face the same direction.
Repeat steps three to four until the string is full. All numbers can vary based on length of string and number of pinecones available.
Source | cleanandsensible
Floating candles with cranberries
Supplies (quantity may adjust to container size)
One glass jar
10-12 Rosemary sprigs cut to about 1.5 inches or less
Water
10-15 Fresh cranberries
One Tea light
Steps
Place the desired amount of rosemary sprigs into the glass jar.
Pour water into the jar until it is ⅘ full.
Add the desired amount of cranberries, being careful to not overflow the jar.
Gently place the tea light onto the cranberries.
Source | bellalimento
Cranberry cheesecake
Supplies:
– Crust
10 graham crackers
Six tablespoons unsalted butter
-Cranberry Swirl
3/4 cup fresh cranberries
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Two teaspoons orange zest
Five tablespoons water
-Cream Cheese Filling
16 ounces room-temperature cream cheese
1/2 cup granulated sugar
One teaspoon vanilla extract
Two large eggs
One tablespoon flour
Pinch of salt
Steps:
-Crust
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
Ground Graham crackers until fine. Add melted butter to crackers and spread mixture on a baking pan.
Bake for 12 minutes and then set to cool.
-Cranberry Swirl
Put cranberries, granulated sugar, orange zest, and water into a saucepan. Bring to a boil while mixing frequently. Cook for six to eight minutes and let cool for 20 minutes.
Blend mixture until smooth, adding water if needed.
-Cream Cheese Filling
Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in a bowl with a stand mixer until smooth. Add eggs one at a time and beat into mixture. Add flour and salt, starting at a low mixing speed to keep flour in the bowl.
-Assembly
Pour cream cheese onto crust and spread evenly with a spatula.
Place spoonfuls of cranberry mixture onto the cream cheese and swirl with a knife.
Bake until edges are slightly golden, about 35 to 40 minutes.
Place on cooling rack to cool. Cover and chill in fridge before serving.
Source | handletheheat
Cranberry Facemask
Supplies
10 fresh or frozen cranberries
Dates (remove pit)
One teaspoon of argan oil (or coconut oil as a substitute)
Two tablespoons honey
Two tablespoons fine oatmeal
Steps:
Crush the cranberries and dates in a mortar after adding some water to make it easier to work with.
Once it forms a smoothie like consistency, put in a bowl then add the argan oil.
Stir honey into the mixture, thickening it and making it easier to later incorporate oatmeal.
Add oatmeal until the consistency thickens to a paste. Then chill in the fridge.
Apply to face and neck, and allow mask to dry for five to ten minutes. Then wash off mask with water.
Source | Cosmopolitan