Christmas Punch: Non Alcoholic and Way More Than 2 Stars

I am sharing a holiday hit: my recipe for 2 Star Christmas Punch. 

I served this beautiful punch to a crowd twice this year and the ladies drank cup after cup. It is not too sweet and very refreshing. At both parties, people crossed the room to tell me how much they liked the punch. I joked with a neighbor that I had made this recipe years ago and put a "star" next to it. She responded, "Put 2."

Step 1: Ice Ring Preparation (Day in Advance)
Freeze 2 cups of Cranberry Juice with 2 cups of fresh cranberries in the bottom of a Bundt mold (make sure the width of the mold will fit into your punch bowl). Tuck 5 whole sage leaves (or fresh rosemary sprigs) around the edge so that some green will show when un-molded.

When this first layer is frozen, pour in Cranberry Juice or Cranberry Ginger Ale to fill. Allow to freeze. When you place it in your punch bowl, the ice ring will look like this. 

When prepping for the party, pulverize one bag of fresh frozen raspberries (no liquid or sugar added, just berries) in a food processor and place into punch bowl. Add 1 (12 oz) can of defrosted frozen pink lemonade and 1 (12 oz) can of defrosted cranberry juice concentrate. (*2023 Update: I can't find frozen cranberry juice concentrate for the first time ever. Okay to replace with a bottle of 100% Juice cranberry juice in its place)

When your guests are about to arrive, add 2 (2 liter) of regular Ginger Ale. Place ice ring into center. Stir and enjoy!

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Fresh Cranberry Cake is lovely at Christmastime

I was first introduced to the idea of a rich buttery cranberry cake by my friend Kathleen. I was so taken with it, in fact, that I urged her to offer it for sale in addition to her famous scones. I didn't want to bother her for the recipe, so I started searching online for something that sounded similar so that I could bake it for Christmas.

This recipe is my go-to for fresh cranberry cake and was published by a woman named Alena in Spain. We were halfway through this cake (above) when Dan announced that he'd like me to make it again. Immediately. Please note that I do not make the sugar/nut topping that she states is optional. 

Hot Cranberry Glogg

Are you ready for some cold Winter nights? I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this woodpile, my goodness. It makes me want to pull out a beautiful wool throw and make hot cranberry glogg to fight off the chill.

Hot Cranberry Glogg
6 cups Cranberry/apple juice
2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
6 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks

Combine all ingredients in a stock pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Ladle glogg into mugs (ignoring the cloves & cinnamon sticks) and enjoy.

Try this at your next card party or book club. Your friends will like trying a warm "wintry" drink...plus its fun to say "glogg."