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Cranberry recipes

Versatile and full of nutrients, cranberries are delicious in baked goods, as a tart relish for holiday spreads, and even mixed into smoothies. Here's how to bring a pop of red into your seasonal dishes.

5. Gingerbread and cranberry muffins with eggnog butter

The Runaway Spoon
The deep ginger and molasses flavor sings of Christmas and the tart, sweet cranberries add to the festive flavor. Smooth the warm muffins with a bit of egg nog butter.

By Perre Coleman Magness, The Runaway Spoon

Makes 12 muffins

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 eggs
1-3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon warm water
1 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup crystallized ginger pieces

1. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.  Beat in the molasses, then add the eggs one at a time, beating until combined.

2. Sift the flour and spices together and beat into the batter, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until the batter is just mixed. Dissolve the baking soda in the warm water in a small dish, then mix into the batter.  Stir in the cranberries and ginger until they are distributed throughout.

3. At this point, the batter can be refrigerated for up to two days, tightly covered.

4. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 12 muffin cups and divide the batter among them equally.  Bake for 15 – 20 minutes until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool in the pan for a few minutes, then turn out on to a wire rack to cool.

For the Butter:

Makes 1/2 cup

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1. Beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar together until light and fluffy.  Beat in the vanilla and nutmeg until combined and smooth.  Scoop into a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until firm.

The butter can be made up to a week ahead.

Read the full post on Stir It Up!

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