I’m at Bakerella‘s book signing in Austin! We’re about to embark on a fun Girl Hunter Weekend to celebrate outdoorsyness, togetherness and my upcoming Girl Hunter book release. Amazon just named it a “best book of the month,” which is pretty exciting.
But I want to talk about cranberries and another homemade holiday gift idea. I love homemade gifts, they’re so satisfying and thrifty and pioneering.
This one I call “cranberry chews.”
It’s super simple, you start with a bowl of cranberries and some sugar.
Toss the cranberries in a pot with water and turn on the flame.
Let them stew, giving them a stir every so often. They’ll start to burst and that’s A-Ok.
You’ll spread them out on a silpat or parchment….
There will be some jelly goo surrounding it but that’s okay. It will turn into the fruit roll-up type bites. But bite sizes.
Separate the cranberries as best you can with a fork so they have space to dry. You’ll dry these on low heat for a lot of hours.
They’re done when they’re just slightly tacky.
Peel them off a bit at a time and put them in festive gift bags.
I used simple plastic bags, but I bet you could find some better ones at a good craft store.
Sprinkle a little sugar in there too to help keep them from sticking together.
Then throw a bow on there to finish it off!
These are wonderfully delicious… they have a great tartness to them which make them rather addictive… like sour patch kids. And they make a great hostess gift.
Enjoy!
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I am kind of loving this idea. I love to do homemade gifts for the holidays and it is kind of what I am known for! I need to add these to the holiday gift-giving list!
susan recently posted..A Homemade “Scotch Kiss” + A Giveaway
Do you have any ideas for other organic or natural sweeteners? We are trying to stay away from added sugar. Thank you so much!
Oh yes. I’m a big fan of agave, honey and my grandmother swears by Stevia. And of course if you do this with a sweet fruit unlike cranberries, you don’t need to add any sugar at all.
Yum! It’s like fruit roll-ups for everyone. I love it.
Shaina recently posted..Holiday Baking 101: Freezing, Including the Kids and More!
Awesome idea!
And I saw an instagram pic of you with my dear friend, Marla.
Hope you girls are having FUN!!!
I’ll bet even my picky eater would like these.
Congrats on Best Book of the month!! That is HUGE Georgia! Have fun this weekend!
Amanda recently posted..Comment on Maple Oatmeal Raisin Cookies by Eleni Karastamati
I have never heard of cranberry chews, but they look like a healthy and yummy snack! I’ll have to try these.
Allison [Girl's Guide to Social Media] recently posted..Shop. Click. Submit. Repeat. #CyberMonday
so festive – LOVE!
Lucy Lean recently posted..Unique Handmade Holiday Gifts – Your Perfect Offering
Congrats on having the book of the month, that is so exciting!!
Your cranberry chews look perfect for Christmas!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen recently posted..The Treats Truck Baking Book Giveaway & Coconut Cupcakes
I LOVE it! Not just a home made present, but healthy too. I’ve got a bag of cranberries in the fridge just waiting to get all chewy. Thanks so much for the recipe…and hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Marly recently posted..Red Beans and Rice
That’s a fun and unique gift idea! I’ve got a bog of cranberries just waiting to be used too.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Holiday Gift Guide 2011 | Part One
These are beautiful Georgia! I love the tartness of Cranberry- I bet these are delicious!
HeatherChristo recently posted..Chocolate, Pistachio and Cranberry Biscotti
Pretty, like rose petals! I just found you through Amazon’s Best Books list. I have a lot of catching up to do
Oh my word! I can’t wait to make these, Georgia. I know my family will adore them!
Congratulations on being named Best Book of the Month!!! I’m sure it’s just the first of many kudos and awards your book will receive!
Robyn | Add a Pinch recently posted..Red Velvet Marble Cake Recipe
what a great idea, georgia! congrats on the amazon recognition — it’s very well deserved!
aida mollenkamp recently posted..Persimmon and Burrata Carpaccio
Such a great gift idea!
And congratulations on your book! Well deserved.
Amy recently posted..Chocolate Cheesecake Truffles
I need to dash home and make these chews. After my massage. And the travel back to the OC.
Sooooo proud of the Amazon “best book”
You ROCK!!
xxoo
This sounds delicious, and since I still have a couple pounds of fresh organic cranberries in the freezer I’m in! I’m guessing frozen shouldn’t be a problem since they boil down anyway?
Bethany recently posted..Drunken Cranberries
Not a problem at all!
Book of the month? Dayum! Bet you’re pretty chuffed about that! This gift idea is quite genius. Simple and delicious, too!
I really love this. I love natural, old fashioned foods. This seems like one to me. Sounds heavenly, too.
JenMarie recently posted..Hot Cocoa on the Stove