It's still early here in the US and if you're trying to figure out how to ring in 2018, I've put together some of my favorite simple yet delicious recipes and festive crafts for you to add a little sparkly and a little bubbly to your night!
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Blackberry Kir Royale
4 blackberries, quartered
3 Tablespoons Creme de Cassis
1 bottle Champagne, Prosecco or other dry sparkling white wine, chilled
In a small nonreactive bowl, combine the blackberries and Creme de Cassis and let stand for 15 minutes to let the fruit macerate. Spoon 4 pieces of marinated blackberry into each flute. Top with Champagne & serve immediately.
Serves 4.
[Image and Recipe Courtesy of The Food Channel - http://foodchannel.com/recipes/blackberry-champagne-cocktail]
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Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites
Sugared Cranberries
2 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup good maple syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
Rinse cranberries and place in a medium bowl. Heat syrup in a small sauce pan just until warm. Pour over cranberries when syrup is warm, not hot, or cranberries may pop. Cool, cover, and let soak in the refrigerator overnight.
Drain cranberries in a colander. Place sugar in a large bowl or baking dish. Add cranberries in 2 batches and roll around until lightly coated in sugar. Place on a baking sheet until dry, about 1 hour.
16 crackers
8 oz Brie cheese
cranberry chutney or cranberry relish
fresh mint for garnish
Assemble crackers with one slice of brie, a light layer of cranberry chutney, and 4 or 5 sugared cranberries. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.
[Images and Recipe Courtesy of Yummy Mummy Kitchen - http://www.yummymummykitchen.com/2011/11/sparkling-cranberry-brie-bites.html]
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Crepe and Lace Party Crackers
Supplies:
Cardboard tube about 4-5 inches long (paper towel rolls and wrapping paper tubes are good sources)
Lace fabric
Crepe Paper
Scissors
Double stick tape
Very sturdy thread or twine
Optional: For added interest, add star shaped sequins (found at fabric stores) and stars punched from gold paper.
Instructions:
Begin by cutting lace fabric and crepe paper into rectangles. The shortest side of the rectangle should be long enough to wrap around the tube - usually about 6-7 inches. The longest side should be the length of the cardboard tube plus an additional 6-8 inches. Once you've determined your dimensions write them down so all your favors will be uniform.
Wrap crepe paper and lace fabric around tube so that the lace fabric faces outward as shown. Secure with double stick tape. Then tie one end with twine. Fill with candy or other favor item and tie remaining edge closed.
Optional: Add stars or other adornments to all or a few of the favor crackers.
Place around your home in cute bowls or containers, or hand out to guests close to midnight!
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