Christmas with Cranberries

Classic Christmas treats are given a scrumptious cranberry twist by Susan Humphries and K9 assistant, Cocojack.

Cranberry Xmas Mince Tarts

Cranberry Fruit mince

275g jar Cranberry Whole Berry Sauce

500 g raisins

500 g sultanas

500 g Craisins – sweetened dried cranberries

250 g mixed peel

2 cups firmly packed brown sugar

1 cooking apple, grated

½ teaspoon mixed spices

½ teaspoon nutmeg

brandy to taste

Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Store in airtight jars until required.

Pastry

300 g butter softened

¾ cup caster sugar

2 egg yolks

3 ½ cups of plain flour

Cream butter and sugar lightly. Add yolks and then fold in flour and knead dough until combined. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for ½ hour.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Roll our pastry and cut with plain cutter.

Place pastry rounds in tins and spoon teaspoon of fruit mince into each tart. Decorate with small pastry round or shape and bake 20 minutes until pale golden brown.

Dust with icing sugar before serving.

Craisins, Pistachio and White Chocolate Cake

150 gm w/flour

150 gm butter

pinch salt

1 ts baking powder

150 gm castor sugar

3 eggs

Beat the above ingredients until mixed, or put into processor 1 minute.

Gently mix in:

200 gm chopped white chocolate

1 cup pistachio nuts

1 1/2 cups Craisins

zest of an orange, or candied peel both in quantities you desire - or non at all!

Transfer into baking paper lined large cake spring bottomed tin and bake for approx. 40 minutes at 200 degrees C.

Garnish with powder sugar or orange syrup or just eat it up quickly!

Serve with a ruby grapefruit refresher:

½ Ocean Spray Ruby Red Grapefruit

½ Soda water