Merry Berry Appetizer

Name: Merry Berry Appetizer
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 12-16 servings.
Ingredients: 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries; 3/4 cup packed brown sugar; 1/3 cup dried currants; 1/3 cup water; 1/8 teaspoon each ground allspice, cardamom, cloves and ginger; 1/8 teaspoon ground mustard; 1-1/2 pounds cream cheese or Brie

Not only is this appetizer a treat to eat, it shapes up into lots of fun, too. Form the soft cream cheese into a cane and spoon stripes of ruby-red cranberry mixture over the top. You'll have a treat that looks as good as it tastes! —Gloria Rohlfing, York, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup dried currants
1/3 cup water
1/8 teaspoon each ground allspice, cardamom, cloves and ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground mustard
1-1/2 pounds cream cheese or Brie

Directions

Combine the cranberries, sugar, currants, water and spices in a nonaluminum saucepan. Cook and stir over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes or until most of the berries have popped. Cool, then refrigerate.
If using cream cheese, shape into a candy cane if desired. Spoon cranberry mixture over cheese. Serve with crackers or sliced apples.

Originally published as Merry Berry Appetizer in Crafting Traditions November/December 1995