Do cranberries make you think of the same old cranberry sauce? Your Thanksgiving plate may not be complete without it, but there are more ways to use cranberries than just the same old. Here are 7 cranberry recipes that are tart, delicious and more than just sauce.
Cranberries are perfect for desserts. I love them dusted with a little sugar—the sweet and tart flavors pair so beautifully. This list of cranberry desserts is, of course, perfect for Thanksgiving, but you don’t need to be tied to the holiday. Let this “berry” free for other festivities and gatherings throughout the year!
Looking for more Thanksgiving dessert ideas? Check out my collection of favorite Thanksgiving dessert recipes, plus my pie guide and pie recipes!
Cranberry Tips
- Use fresh cranberries if you can! You’ll get the best tart flavor, and they are often available at the grocery store during the fall and early winter.
- Bright, firm cranberries in the produce section are best, but make sure you check bagged berries for quality.
- You can use frozen berries, but you may miss out on the best flavor. If you freeze your own fresh berries, they will keep for about a year.
Cranberry Recipes
This gorgeous cake is just as suited for a holiday table as it is for a Tuesday-morning coffee cake. It is super simple to get the dreamy texture of this cake, because the batter is made in a food processor, so the almond paste is blended smoothly. It yields a cake that is dense and tender at the same time. Try the variation with kirschwasser-soaked dried cherries or cranberries in place of the grapes.
Get the recipe
The gorgeous cake comes from the pages the Cannelle et Vanille cookbook and I added a cranberry relish that has fresh strawberries and pink peppercorns, a lovely compliment to the roasted squash brown butter cake.
Get the recipe
A Midwestern staple gets a sweet spin with this pumpkin-pear-cranberry hot dish. The cranberries add a tart little pop to the dish that makes this one feel like the perfect fall dish.
Get the recipe
This Apple Almond Galette is just an apple pie without the plate or a top crust. The cranberry ice cream adds an extra element that is creamy and tart. You can serve it without the cranberries, but why? It really elevates the dessert into something special.
Get the recipe
This Parsnip Cranberry Cake is the sophisticated cousin to Carrot Cake. It is just as satisfying and comforting as the carrot version, but it is all its own flavor and delicious. It is perfect with the tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting and tart candied cranberry garnish.
Get the recipe
This cake's ruby top is a mixture of tart cranberries and sweet raspberries. The cake underneath is rich with butter and almond flour. I serve it with ice cream for dessert and then eat it for breakfast the next morning with coffee.
Get the recipe
This cheesecake is topped with some beautiful red fruits, including sugared cranberries. The tartness combined with the crisp sugar coating is a perfect compliment to the smoothness of the cake.
Get the recipe
Beautiful, unique spins on some classics. I love your style.
Thank you!
I will be making a cranberry desert of yours for Christmas…..I love your show and all of the recipes….thank you and enjoy this season! Keep up sharing your knowledge!
Dear Zoe, may I say the thoughtful, loving approach to your teaching is greatly appreciated. The emphasis and respect for your ingredients is also wonderful. Bravo and keep up the great work helping us to create and explore. Happiest of Holidays
Leah