Classic Cranberry Mold Recipes

NANNY'S CRANBERRY MOLD

Steps:

• Lightly oil a 1-quart nonreactive mold or a few smaller molds. Combine cranberries, sugar, zest, orange juice, lemon juice, and 1 cup water in a large saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and are completely softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Pass mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl, gently pressing on solids (pressing too hard will make the mixture cloudy). Skim any foam from surface; cover to keep warm.
• Sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup water in a bowl; let soften 1 minute. Stir gelatin mixture into warm cranberry mixture until gelatin is completely dissolved. Pour mixture into mold and refrigerate until set, at least 8 hours.
• Dip top of mold into a bowl of hot water 30 seconds, then run a paring knife around edge to loosen. Place a serving platter on bottom of mold; quickly invert platter and mold together. Tap to release; remove mold. (If gelatin doesnâ??t release easily, return to hot water for a few seconds.)

CRANBERRY FRUIT MOLD

Steps:

• In a bowl, dissolve gelatins in boiling water. Gently stir in ginger ale. Refrigerate until slightly thickened, about 1-1/2 hours. Stir in grapes and oranges. Transfer to a 5-cup mold coated with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate until firm. Invert onto a serving plate.

CRANBERRY MOLD

Steps:

• Empty a 12-ounce bag of fresh or frozen cranberries into a saucepan and transfer 1/2 cup to a small bowl. Add 1 cup sugar, 1 strip orange or lemon zest and 2 tablespoons water to the pan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries are soft, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and cook until the cranberries burst, about 12 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the reserved cranberries. Add sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Let cool.
• Heat 1/2 cup cranberry juice over low heat, then stir in a 1/4-ounce packet gelatin. Puree cooled cranberry sauce with another 1/2 cup cranberry juice, then add the gelatin mixture. Pour into a mold or empty soup cans and refrigerate overnight. Serve with whipped cream.

CRANBERRY SALAD MOLD

Steps:

• Finely grind the cranberries in a food chopper. Add sugar and mix thoroughly. Let stand 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. (If using frozen berries, let them stand until the mixture is at room temperature.) Place the gelatin and orange juice in the top of a double boiler; stir over hot water until gelatin is dissolved. Add to cranberries along with apples and nuts; place in a 7-cup mold that has been rinsed in cold water. Chill until set. Unmold onto leaf lettuce. Garnish with mayonnaise.

FRESH CRANBERRY MOLD

Steps:

• In a large bolw, dissolve Jello in 1 1/4 cups of hot water. Add 1 1/4 cups cold water and stir. Chill until just beginning to set.
• Meanwhile, grind together cranberries and apples (I use a food processor). Add pineapple, oranges, sugar and nuts (if using). Mix.
• When Jell-O has begun to set, add fruit mixture. Fold in well. Pour into a large mold and refrigerate until set.

CRANBERRY MOLDS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring the cranberry juice to a boil. Transfer to a medium mixing bowl and pour in the gelatin. Stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir in vodka. Chill 1 1/2 to 2 hours in the refrigerator until it begins to set. Stir in remaining ingredients. Divide into 12 (4-ounce) molds. Refrigerate at least 4 hours to set.
• Remove from molds by first running the tip of a sharp knife around the edge of the mold to loosen side. Then dip the bottom of mold in a bowl of warm water. Invert onto a plate. Serve garnished with fresh cranberries and a sprig of fresh mint

CLASSIC MOLDED CRANBERRY SAUCE -- WILLIAMS AND SONOMA

Steps:

• 1. Lightly coat the inside of a ceramic cranberry mold with nonstick cooking spray.
• 2. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, salt and the 2/3 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the cranberries have burst, about 15 minutes.
• 3 .Meanwhile, pour the 2 Tbs. water into a small bowl and sprinkle with the gelatin. Let stand until the gelatin softens and swells, 5 to 10 minutes.
• 4. Spoon 1/2 cup of the juices from the cranberries into the gelatin and stir until the gelatin has dissolved. Pour the gelatin mixture into the cranberry mixture and stir to combine. Pour the cranberry mixture into the prepared mold and let cool to room temperature. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to overnight.
• 5. To unmold, dip the mold into a large bowl of warm water so the water reaches almost to the rim of the mold. Remove from the water and run a small paring knife or spatula around the inside of the mold to loosen it. Place a serving platter upside down on top of the mold, invert the platter and mold together and shake gently. Then lift off the mold. Serves 12 to 16.

CRANBERRY JELL-O MOLD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve gelatin in water. Stir in cranberry sauce and pineapple. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until slightly thickened. Stir in nuts. Pour into a 1-1/2-qt. gelatin mold coated with cooking spray. Refrigerate until set. Unmold onto a serving platter. Serve with sour cream if desired.