CRANBERRY ROSEMARY SPRITZER

 

aside from all the baking, cooking & eating this holiday season, there is one more important thing we can't forget about.. the drinking! i wanted to create a fancy, woodsy tasting, non-alcoholic holiday beverage that resemble winter in a cup. because those of us who don't drink much deserve a fancy looking cocktail too/ no longer have to be questioned & judged for only drinking sparkling water at a party! but relaxxxxx, i still left the option to add vodka or gin if you want to kick it up a notch & turn this drink into a boozy cocktail. the vibrant red from the cranberries mixed with the forest green from the rosemary looks SUPER festive (i am obsessed with this combination)! lastly, making a homemade rosemary syrup is a simple way to up your cocktail making skills & impress your guest.

ingredients

for the rosemary syrup

  • 2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup water

for the cranberry rosemary spritzer

  • 1/2 oz rosemary syrup
  • 1.5 oz vodka or gin (optional)
  • 4 oz cranberry juice
  • 4 oz sparkling water
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary, as garnish
  • frozen cranberries, as garnish

directions

  • for the rosemary syrup: in a sauce pan over medium heat combine rosemary, sugar & water. brig to a boil & remove from heat once the sugar has dissolved. let cool to room temperature & strain the herbs.

  • fill glass with frozen cranberries & crushed ice. top with rosemary syrup, vodka, cranberry juice & sparkling water. garnish with a sprig of rosemary & frozen cranberries.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY BARS

 

today i am teaming up with ghiardelli & the feed feed for ghirardelli's #BAKINGDAY featuring all things chocolate! i wanted to create a decadent holiday dessert that uses ALL the chocolate! well.. almost all the chocolate. so i'm taking cranberry bars to a whole new level. adding festive christmas ingredients like crunchy macadamia nuts & spicy nutmeg, then topping it with a creamy pure white chocolate ganache. i finished it off by drizzleing it with some dark chocolate. dark chocolate is good for you, so by drizzleing it with dark chocolate these are now healthy! if you prefer milk chocolate, switch it up. hell, put both! anything goes here. happy baking day:)!

ingredients

for the bars

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup raw sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, plus more for topping
  • 1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
  • 1/2 cup ghiardelli white chocolate, chopped

for the ganache

for the drizzel

directions

  • preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • in a large mixing bowl add melted butter, sugar, egg & vanilla. stir until well combined.
  • in a separate bowl sift flour, baking powder, salt & nutmeg. add to wet ingredients.
  • stir in cranberries, macadamia nuts & white chocolate chunks.
  • line a square baking dish with parchment paper & add dough. bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness & size of pan.
  • remove from oven & let cool while you make the ganache.
  • for the ganache, using either a double boiler or the microwave melt the white chocolate. stir in cream & mix until smooth. pour over the cooled cranberry bars & sprinkle with cranberries.
  • drizzel with melted dark chocolate, milk chocolate or both!
  • slice & serve.

like what you see? get it here. measuring cups | wooden spoon | cutting board | santuko knife | linens | pour bowl | plate

thank you so much to ghirardelli for sponsoring this post! & to the feed feed for helping organize the ghirardelli #bakingday! all opinions are my own. i  love my chocolate. check out the other baking creations on ghuiardelli's instagram!

GINGERBREAD WAFFLES + BOURBON SALTED CARAMEL

 

the winter holidays are the perfect time to cozy up at home & stay in bed.. orrrrr let someone else sleep in while you make them a special christmas breakfast in bed! today on west elm's blog front + main i am sharing my recipe for the perfect gingerbread pumpkin waffles, topped with get your hot cakes rye whiskey caramel sauce & the coziest of breakfast in bed settings (faribault wool plaids & coyuchi bedding, yes please!). get the recipe here!