KISSing in the Christmas Kitchen: Day 2

NOTE: Christmas is a busy season: it's full of special events, visits with friends and family, and lots of entertaining. It's also a lot of work. It's easy to let things get out of hand, which is why I have a few strategies for KISSing (Keep it Simple, Silly) in the kitchen at Christmas time. This week I'm sharing 5 of my quick-and-easy kitchen ideas for the holidays.

White Chocolate Cranberry Drops

I don't remember where I got the idea for these, but I tried them out a few years ago and we really enjoy them.  Total time to make them (not including letting them set): about 10 minutes with no children underfoot. 

Ingredients:

white chocolate squares (about 12 squares)
dried cranberries (about 3 cups)

[The measurements are guess-timates, and you can use more or less, depending on how many of the cranberry drops you want to make.  I melt the chocolate, and then add dried craberries until they are coated well.  I usually drop a spoonful as a test, and if it's too runny, I add more cranberries]

Instructions:

Place the white chocolate squares in a microwave safe bowl or measuring cup (it should hold about 3 to 4 cups).  Melt them in the microwave for 1 minute at 50%.  Give them a stir.  If this isn't enough to melt them, return them to the microwave for 30 second intervals at 50% until the chocolate is just melted.

Add the dried cranberries to the white chocolate and stir until they are evenly coated.

Spoon the chocolate coated cranberries onto a wax paper lined tray.  I do some that are about a teaspoon in size and some that are smaller, to give me some variety.  If you find it's too runny, add a few more cranberries to the mixture.  I also find the bottom of the bowl is always a little more chocolately, so I sometimes add another small handful of cranberries at the end.

Set the trays aside to allow the chocolate to cool.  If you're in a hurry, set the trays in the freezer for about 20 minutes.  Once the chocolates have set, peel them off and pop them into a container for storage. I usually keep mine in the freezer to prevent use from gobbling them up too fast!

Ready to eat!

[ETA:  My mother-in-law commented to me that you coudl also add your favourite type of shredded coconut to these.  I also remembered that I saw dried cherries at Bulk Barn this week, and I think they'd be nice to try instead of the cranberries]