Christmas Cranberry Recipes/ Christmas Carnival

Today I am participating in “Healthy Holiday Eats and Sweets Carnival”, hosted by “Keeper Of The Home.”(check out this blog, its a good one!  I have learned so much from it!)  I am very excited to find some new, healthy holiday recipes for years to come.  I plan on making a Healthy Holiday Recipe Journal with the carnival recipes, as I know there will be lots of great ones!!

I love all things cranberry, especially around the holiday season.  I thought for the carnival, I would share a couple of my favorites with you!

Hot Buttered Cranberry Apple Cider
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup rapadura or brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
pinch of cloves
pinch of salt
cranberry juice
apple cider

In a bowl, cream all ingredients except the juice and cider together.
Place on a piece of waxed paper, wrap up and put in a ziplock bag.
Freeze.  Slice pieces off as needed.

Heat 1/2 cup cranberry juice and 1/2 cup apple cider.  In the bottom of a mug, add at least a Tbls of the spiced butter.  Pour heated juice/cider mixture over the butter, stir and enjoy!

Tree-Trim Cranberry Trail Mix
8 cups freshly popped corn (see this post for easy popping instructions!)
1 cup almonds
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp kosher salt
pinch of baking soda
1 cup dried cranberries

Heat the oven to 300 degrees.  Grease a large, rimmed baking sheet.  Mix the popcorn and nuts in a large, well -oiled bowl.  Bring the syrup, cinnamon, and salt to a boil in a small pan on med heat.  Let the mixture boil for 4 minutes, swirling the pan once in awhile.  Turn off heat and add the baking soda, stirring until the mixture is creamy.  Pour the mixture over popcorn and stir well.  Spread the popcorn on the baking sheet and bake until it is dry to the touch, about 15 minutes.  Let the popcorn cool for 20 minutes, then mix in the cranberries and serve or put in jars for yummy gifts!