Cranberry Slush

CRANBERRY SLUSH:
There are two versions - the original and the fast. We always do the fast version and it’s fantastic.
Original Recipe:
- 1 lb cranberries
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- 2 quarts cranberry juice
- 2 quarts ginger ale

Cook cranberries, sugar and water until thickens. Run through collander. Add 1 quart cranberry juice. Freeze. When ready to serve, mash up frozen cranberries with 1 quart cranberry juice and 2 quarts ginger ale.



Quick Recipe:
- 4 cans whole cranberry sauce
- 3 quarts cranberry juice
- 2 quarts ginger ale

Run 4 cans of whole cranberry sauce through collander. Add 2 quarts cranberry juice. Freeze. When ready to serve, mash up frozen cranberries with 1 quart cranberry juice and 2 quarts ginger ale.

Crockpot Peppermint Hot Cocoa

The Ingredients:
serves 10-12 people.


For the basic peppermint hot chocolate:


--3 cups nonfat dried milk
--1 cup powdered sugar

--3/4 cup cocoa powder

--1/4 tsp salt

--1/2 cup chocolate syrup

--1 to 2 tsp peppermint extract (my kids thought 2tsp was too strong.)

--7 cups water

--marshmallows and candy canes for garnish


for a "mocha":

--pour the cooked hot chocolate over a shot of espresso or a half-cup of very strong coffee


for an "adult drink":

--omit the peppermint extract and pour the hot chocolate over a shot of Peppermint Schnapps



The Directions.


I used a 4 quart crockpot.


Combine the dry ingredients into your crockpot and stir with a spoon. Squeeze in a half-cup of chocolate sauce, and add the peppermint extract. Add the water, a cup at a time, and stir well. The chocolatey mixture will be bubbly and look powdery. It's okay---it will cook together.


Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours, or until completely hot. Serve with marshmallows and candy canes. If serving to guests, keep the pot on low with the lid off, and provide a ladle. If kept on warm, the hot chocolate will not stay warm enough.

Hot Apple Cider

Hot Apple Cider

1 gallon apple cider

1 1/2 C orange juice

1/2 C brown sugar

6 cinnamon sicks

12 whole cloves

12 whole allspice

Mix together and bring to a boil. Simmer at least 30 minutes. The longer it simmers, the better it gets!

As it brews longer it will form a “sludge” at the bottom of the pan - I just add more cider, let it brew a while longer and you are good to go!