FILLING Festive

End the year with your glass half full with these festive recipes

Recipes and photos by Melissa Tate

HOLIDAY SPRITZER WITH CRANBERRY ICE CUBES MAKES: 4 BEVERAGES

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup whole cranberries | 3 cups cranberry juice | 3 cups ginger ale | White wine (if desired)

SUPPLIES: Ice tray, any size

DIRECTIONS: MAKE cranberry ice cubes several hours before serving. PLACE two to three cranberries in each cube compartment and top with water. If using a large ice cube tray, place four to five cranberries in each cube compartment and top with water. PLACE in the freezer until frozen. PLACE cranberry ice cubes into a glass and add equal parts of liquid. If not using wine, use equal parts cranberry and ginger ale. GARNISH with fresh rosemary and serve.

CHARCUTERIE FOR ONE MAKES: ONE SERVING

SUPPLIES: Toothpicks | Cocktail skewers | Wine glasses or other small clear glasses | Star or other shaped cookie cutters

DIRECTIONS: LAYER mixed nuts, snack mix, and dried salami in a glass, filling the glass about 2/3 full. PIERCE olives and pearl onions onto a skewer. LAYER mozzarella cheese balls, basil, and grape tomatoes for a Caprese skewer. CUT sliced cheese into fun shapes using the cookie cutters. FILL the remaining 1/3 of the glass with gherkin pickles and small fruit. PLACE assorted skewers into the glass and garnish rim with fruit or shaped cheese.

BLACKBERRY TRIFLES MAKES: 8 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS: 1 Small box instant vanilla pudding plus milk for pudding | 1 Premade angel food cake | 1 Jar blackberry jam, jelly, or compote

SUPPLIES: Glass jars

DIRECTIONS: PREPARE pudding as directed and set aside. CUT angel food cake into cubes and set aside. LAYER jars with angel food cake, pudding, and jam. Layering until the jar is full. END with jam on the top layer and use a toothpick to make swirls in the pudding and jam mixture. SERVE immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to two hours.