Have you ever had the Cranberry Bliss Bar at Starbucks? I resisted for years because it did not look delicious, but oh boy was I wrong. Cranberry Bliss Bars are SO GOOD. It’s dried cranberries, white chocolate, cream cheese and a cookie layer which meant it was perfect to turn into a cookie!

I made these and ate quite a few immediately. Then I froze a bunch of them to see what happened. They were perfect! Which means you can make these cookies today - freeze them - and defrost them in time for Thanksgiving. Or Christmas. Or a Tuesday board meeting - which is what I will take them too :)

Cranberry Bliss Cookies

makes 2 dozen

1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 eggs

2 1/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon ground ginger

12 ounces white chocolate chips

1 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup cream cheese

1/4 cup powdered sugar

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together shortening and sugars. Whip in eggs and vanilla and blend until smooth and fluffy.

STEP 2

Combine all dry ingredients and add them to the stand mixer. Blend them together slightly.

STEP 3

Pour in the chocolate and cranberries and blend until the batter is totally mixed. Scoop on baking sheets and bake 12 minutes until browned. Let cool on the baking sheet before moving to a cooling rack.

STEP 4

Warm cream cheese in the microwave for a few seconds until soft. Whisk in powdered sugar. Drizzle the top of cooled cookies.

Eat immediately or store in an airtight container for up to one week.

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I can’t be the only one who plans their menu around the cocktail? This one is unexpected because its a rum based cocktail and everyone is expecting something bourbon-y or whiskey-y. Mix it up with this sweet, spicy, and boozy cocktail!

POMEGRANATE RUBBED TURKEY

serves 16

STEP 1

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.

Unwrap and rinse the turkey (be sure to remove the insides). Pat the turkey dry and place in a roasting pan. Rub 1/2 of one of the pomegranates all over the turkey coating the skin entirely. Be sure to squeeze as you go so you really get the juice out.

STEP 2

Slice the second pomegranate into 4 pieces and stuff inside the bird alternating with the sliced onion. Give the pomegranates a gentle squeeze so some of the juice comes out - but not all of it.

STEP 3

Season the top of the bird with salt, pepper, and the crumbled sage. Pop it into the preheated oven.

STEP 4

Check the turkey every 20 minutes and baste when the skin appears dry. When the temperature inside the turkey reads 100 degrees, rub the remaining 1/2 of pomegranate over the turkey and top the skin with the butter.

STEP 5

Reduce the heat to 400 degrees and continue to cook. Use a thermometer to check for doneness. The temperature should read 180 degrees when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh.

STEP 6

Remove from the oven, cover with foil, and let rest on a cutting board for 20 minutes.

NOTE

Gage the time it will take by assuming each pound will cook in 15 minutes. For a 16 pound turkey, that’s 240 minutes or 4 hours.

1 - 20 lb turkey

2 large pomegranates

2 large onions, sliced into quarters

1/4 cup dried sage, crumbled

4 tablespoons butter, cut into 4 pieces