Sunday Dinner Dessert – Nantucket Cranberry Pie

 

Since my 86 years have started to catch up with me, I don’t cook as often, particularly experimenting with new recipes that I can share. I do still cook the family holiday meals, though, and every Sunday fix lunch for my two daughters which features a favorite recipe and is followed by 3 hours of various kinds of needlework and chatting. For these lunches, I always make something they especially like from my blogs of over 10 years and I thought it might be fun to share my Sunday desserts each week.

Today’s dessert has been a family favorite for 10-plus years.  Nantucket Cranberry Pie is not a pie at all, not a cobbler although batter is poured on top of the fruit and not really a cake, but it surely is good. Note that you will need a 10-inch pie pan or baking dish to keep the batter from overflowing. From my post of 2007

https://lillianscupboard.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/nantucket-cranberry-pie/

Nantucket Cranberry Pie

• Servings: 8
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Filling:

2 cups fresh cranberries
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Topping:

2 eggs
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. almond extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 10-inch pie plate or baking dish. Place the cranberries in the pie plate and toss the sugar and walnuts over the berries.

For the topping, whisk the eggs and the butter with the sugar. Add the flour and almond extract to the egg mixture, lightly tossing with a fork.

Pour the topping over the cranberry mixture. If it’s difficult to get the topping to extend out over the filling, press down with water-damped hands to even it out. Bake for approximately 45 minutes @ 350 degrees F. Place on a rack to cool.

Serve warm with whipped cream.

Also served: Gone-All-Afternoon Beef Stew – a dish that is put into the oven and allowed to bake for 3-4 hours before serving. From my 2010 post:

https://lillianscupboard.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/beef-stew-and-orange-tapioca-pudding/

DeeDee’s Turkey (or Chicken) Salad with Fresh Cranberries

My daughter-in-law in St. Louis sent me a recipe for using up my leftover Thanksgiving turkey and we all loved it.  This salad combines sweetened, orange-flavored fresh cranberries and crisp almonds to dress up some leftover turkey.

Since I used up all the turkey to make the salad right after Thanksgiving, I thought I’d make another batch for dinner today using chicken breast.  It was delicious.  It’s a very easy recipe to put together and makes wonderful sandwiches.  Her recipe called for wheat bread slices, but I had some good bakery dinner rolls on hand and they worked well, too.

Make up the cranberry mixture and refrigerate a couple of hours ahead of time to get the best flavor.

• Servings: 4-6
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½ cup fresh cranberries
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 Tblsp. orange juice
1 Tblsp. grated orange zest
2 cups cooked turkey (or chicken breast), chopped
2 Tblsp. parsley, chopped
2 green onions, tops and tender green parts, sliced
¾ cup mayonnaise
Salt/pepper to taste
¼ cup slivered almonds, toasted
4 wheat bread slices, dinner rolls or bread of your choice
4 large red-leaf lettuce leaves

In a food processor with metal blade, process cranberries with sugar, orange juice and orange zest, using on-off pulses until coarsely chopped.  Transfer mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate several hours.

In a medium bowl, combine turkey, parsley, green onions, mayonnaise and salt/pepper.  Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.  At serving time, stir the cranberry mixture and almonds into the turkey/chicken mixture and spoon onto bread slices.  Top with lettuce.  Makes 4-6 servings.

Orange Cranberry Nut Bread

I found a partial bag of cranberries in my freezer and since soon we will be getting bags of fresh ones, I came up with a quick bread using what I had on hand.  It was very good and served as dessert for a couple of lunches and dinners for my daughter and me.

CRANBERRY ORANGE NUT BREAD

• Servings: Two 7-1/2-inch loaves or one 9-inch loaf
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2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ tsp. salt
1-½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1 egg
¼ cup oil (canola)
¼ cup orange juice concentrate mixed with ½ cup water
1-½ cups fresh or frozen (thawed) whole cranberries
½ cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Prepare one greased 9-inch loaf pan or two greased 7-½ inch loaf pans, sprinkled on bottom and sides with a mixture of 1 Tblsp. granulated sugar and 1/8 tsp. cinnamon

In a large bowl whisk together 1-½ cups flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda.

In a separate small bowl, whisk egg with oil and orange juice from concentrate.  Add to flour mixture and stir in lightly.

In a small bowl, place cranberries and ½ cup flour, stirring to coat cranberries.  Add this mixture to the batter along with the chopped nuts.  Stir just until flour is absorbed and mixed throughout the batter.

Spoon batter into prepared pans and bake in preheated 350 degree F oven approximately 40 minutes for 7-½-inch loaves and 50 minutes for a 9-inch loaf.  Test for doneness by inserting a tester in the center of one of the loaves to be sure it comes out clean.

Rest loaves in pans for about 10 minutes and then loosen around sides and turn onto rack to cool.

Yield:  Two 7-½ inch or one 9 inch loaf

Cut into one-inch wide slices to serve.  Stays moist for several days.

Tip:  I always have a problem keeping a juice container lid secure once it’s opened.  I found that a small mason jar lid works perfectly and keeps the concentrate fresh for the next use.

Cranapple-Orange Crepes

I saw a beautiful jam on the blog, Happier Than a Pig in Mud here.  I made a couple of minor adjustments including Lynn’s suggestion to use orange juice to make a great jam or an equally great filling for crepes.  This is easy to make and I also like the fact that it is a one-cup yield – just right to use up some cranberries.  And, of course, any leftover filling would be delicious on your morning toast.

• Servings: 8
• Print

Cranapple and Orange Filling
2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen (thawed)
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup orange juice
½ tsp. grated orange peel
1 cup tart apple, peeled and grated
2 Tblsp. lemon juice
Whipped Cream or whipped topping, thawed
1 pecan half per serving, broken into pieces (8 halves)

In a medium heavy-bottomed pan, place cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange peel, grated apple and lemon juice.

Cook, stirring, over medium high heat until mixture comes to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium low and continue boiling for another 10 minutes, stirring constantly.  Mixture should be thick and of jam-like consistency.

This filling can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to use.  Have at room temperature for serving.

Yield:  One half-pint jar or one cup

Crepes are very easy to make.  Remember to allow an hour for the batter to rest in the refrigerator before making the crepes.  Crepes can be browned, placed in stacks with waxed paper between each crepe and refrigerated or frozen for later use.  The refrigerated and thawed crepes can be warmed in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a skillet.

Crepes

• Servings: 8
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2 eggs, beaten well
1 cup milk
1-½ Tblsp. melted butter
½ tsp vanilla
Pinch salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
Butter for frying

To Make Crepes
In a large measuring cup, place beaten eggs.  Add milk to beaten eggs, whisk in melted (cooled) butter, vanilla, salt and flour; mix until smooth.  Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Lightly butter a 7-inch non-stick skillet and heat to moderately hot.  Using a small measuring cup pour about ¼ cup of batter into pan and quickly swirl to coat bottom.

Brown and turn.

Allow to brown on the other side.  Remove to plate.  Spread about 1-½ Tblsp. Cranapple- Orange filling down the center of crepe.

Fold side portions of crepe toward center and top with whipped cream or whipped topping.  Add a coarsely chopped pecan half to each serving.

8 servings 

Cranberry and Cream Chicken

This recipe was adapted from one in a Susan Branch cookbook.  I first served this for New Year’s Day in 1995 and have had it every Christmas Day since then.  My daughter and I like to take our plates by the fireplace to enjoy and afterwards always watch A Child’s Christmas in Wales.

• Servings: 4-6
• Print

• Two boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, roasted
• 2 Tblsp. butter
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ cup cranberries
• ¼ cup plus 2 Tblsp. brandy (or chicken broth)
• ½ cup cream
• ½ cup sour cream
• Salt/pepper

Cut each roasted chicken breast half into three pieces.

Melt butter in a large skillet and add garlic, stirring for about 1-½ minutes.  Add chicken pieces and brown on each side.

Remove chicken to a plate to keep warm.

Add cranberries to skillet along with brandy.  Let simmer for 2 minutes and then add cream, sour cream, plus salt and pepper to taste.  Heat but do not boil.

Pour cream sauce over chicken breasts to serve.

I like to serve this dish with a broccoli/carrot saute and mashed potatoes.  A little sauce poured over the mashed potatoes doesn’t hurt a bit.

4-6 servings

Cranberry Cake and Brandy Sauce

This dessert was adapted from a recipe on AllRecipes.com.  I first made it for Christmas dinner in 2004 and my daughter and I loved it.  The original was for a large bundt cake and I cut the recipe in half to make this version which I bake in an antique 7-inch tube pan.  It could also be baked in a 9-inch loaf pan.

• Servings: 6
• Print

Cake

• 3 Tblsp. butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 cup evaporated milk, undiluted
• 6 oz fresh cranberries

Sauce:

• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 Tblsp. brandy

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  Grease/flour 7-inch tube pan or 9-inch loaf pan.

To make the cake
In a large bowl cream butter and sugar.  In a medium bowl mix together dry ingredients.  Beat flour mixture into creamed mixture alternately with evaporated milk, beginning and ending with flour.   Stir in cranberries.

Pour into prepared pan and bake 50-60 minutes @ 325 degrees F until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (loaf pan may take longer).

Let cool in pan 10 minutes then remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

To make the sauce:
In a small pan combine the butter, sugar and cream.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat and let simmer 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in brandy.  Drizzle warm sauce over slices of cake.

The sauce is quite rich and this amount is just right for drizzling over 6 individual slices of cake.

6 servings

Cranberry Apple Bread Pudding with Applejack Sauce

The recipe for this dessert is adapted from one in Susan Branch’s Christmas from the Heart of the Home cookbook.  I have all of her cookbooks and they are simply wonderful.  You can get an idea of her work on her great web page.   I made a few minor changes in my recipe, including using applejack for the sauce.  The original recipe called for whiskey, but brandy or rum would also be good.

• Servings: 9
• Print

• 6 cups of bread cubes (day-old firm bread – I use stale homemade bread)
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1-1/2 Tblsp. vanilla (that’s right – 1-1/2 tablespoons)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1-1/2 cups tart apple, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F

Put bread cubes in a colander and pour over 2 cups hot tap water.  Let stand 5  minutes, then squeeze out excess moisture.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Add the apples, cranberries and bread.  Stir lightly until blended.

Pour mixture into a buttered 9×9 baking dish.  Bake @ 325 degrees F for one hour and 20 minutes.

APPLEJACK SAUCE

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 Tblsp.  applejack
• 1 egg, beaten

In a small pan over medium low heat, melt the butter.  Add sugar and stir about 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and slowly stir in applejack, continue heating and stirring for one minute.  Remove from heat, slowly add a small amount of sauce mixture to beaten eggs, add eggs to mixture over low heat, stirring until thickened.

Serve the bread pudding warm with warm applejack sauce.

This makes a nice, comforting wintertime dessert.

Cranberry Date Bars

About 20 years ago, I subscribed to a small newspaper called The Blue Ribbon Gazette, a publication devoted to county and state fair cooking winners.  Sadly, it’s no longer in publication but I got some wonderful recipes while it was around.  One recipe that I include every year for St. Nick and Christmas is the one for  Cranberry Date Bars.  It was the favorite treat for my youngest daughter to take to work to share.

• Servings: 9
• Print

• 6 oz. fresh cranberries (frozen don’t work as well)
• 1/2 cup chopped dates
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• Glaze:  1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar mixed with fresh orange juice to make a drizzling consistency.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

In a small saucepan, combine cranberries and dates, cook covered over very low heat for 10 minutes until the cranberries pop, stirring frequently.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, brown sugar, soda, salt, and flour.  Stir in the butter with a fork.  Put half of the mixture in the bottom of an ungreased 9×9 baking pan.  Spread the cranberry/date filling over the bottom layer.  Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top, patting gently.

Bake for approximately 25 minutes until top is golden brown.  Cool in the pan on a wire rack.

While the cake is still warm, drizzle the Glaze over the top and cut into bars. 

This wreath complete with vintage cookie cutters was made by my oldest daughter and hangs in my kitchen to inspire me while I’m baking cookies.

Nantucket Cranberry Pie

Maybe it’s because I was born and raised in southwest Ohio, far from Nantucket, but I had never heard of a Nantucket Cranberry Pie until I noticed one on a blog by Live, Love, Laugh and Learn.  For anyone who isn’t familiar with this dessert, it’s not a pie at all – no pastry crust, a thin layer of filling and nothing underneath the filling.  It’s not a cobbler although a batter is poured on top of the fruit.  The thin cake topping does not rise but is buttery rich and delicious.  It’s also not a cake because each layer is thin and just supports the other.  But this dessert, whatever it is,  is especially good and just meant to be eaten at a table in front of a window looking out on  a clear blue autumn sky and  falling leaves.

• Servings: 8
• Print

Filling:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Topping:

• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. almond extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter a 10″ pie plate.  Place the cranberries in the pie plate and toss the sugar and walnuts over the berries.

For the topping, cream the eggs and the butter with the sugar.  Add the flour and almond extract to the egg mixture, lightly tossing with a fork.

Pour the topping over the cranberry mixture.  If it’s difficult to get the topping to extend out over the filling, press down with water-damped hands to even it out.  Bake for approximately 45 minutes @ 350 degrees F.  Place on a rack to cool.

Serve warm with whipped cream.

Yield:  8 servings

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