15 Cranberry Desserts That Bring Festive Color to Thanksgiving and Christmas
Cranberries are the jewels of the holiday season. They are tart, bright red and they make any dessert table look festive in seconds. Most people only use them for sauce next to the turkey, but cranberry desserts deserve a spot of their own. Their tang balances rich butter, white chocolate and orange perfectly. Cranberries also shine in these holiday breakfast bakes. Grab a few bags while they are in stores and freeze some for later..
Cranberry Upside Down Cake, Queen of Cranberry Desserts
This cake is a true showstopper. Fresh cranberries are baked in a buttery brown sugar layer under a soft vanilla cake, then flipped to reveal a glossy, ruby red top. It looks like stained glass. The sweet cake and tart berries are a perfect match. Of all the cranberry desserts here, this is the one guests will photograph first.
You will need: Topping: 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 cups fresh cranberries. Cake: 1/2 cup soft butter, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, zest of 1 orange, 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 cup milk.
How to make it: Melt the butter in a 9 inch pan, sprinkle the brown sugar over it and add the cranberries in one layer. Beat the butter and sugar, add the eggs, vanilla and zest. Mix in the flour and baking powder with the milk. Spread over the berries. Bake at 350F for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool 10 minutes, then flip onto a plate.
Cranberry Custard Tart
A cranberry custard tart has a creamy, gently sweet filling studded with tart berries that burst as it bakes. The colors look beautiful on a cake stand. It is a lovely change from pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. Which would you pick for the holiday table this year, cranberry or pumpkin?
You will need: 1 unbaked tart or pie shell, 2 cups fresh cranberries, 3 eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp vanilla, zest of 1 orange.
How to make it: Scatter the cranberries in the tart shell. Whisk the eggs, sugar, cream, vanilla and zest and pour over the berries. Bake at 350F for 40 to 45 minutes until set in the middle. Cool completely and chill before slicing.
Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake
Creamy cheesecake meets a tart cranberry sauce swirl. The bright red topping makes it perfect for a Christmas party. You can even use leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving. It is one of those cranberry desserts that looks fancy but is very forgiving to make. Make it a day ahead so it sets well.
You will need: Crust: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup melted butter. Filling: 24 oz cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tsp vanilla. Topping: 1 cup cranberry sauce.
How to make it: Press the crumbs and butter into a springform pan. Beat the cream cheese and sugar, then the eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Pour into the crust. Dot with spoons of cranberry sauce and swirl with a knife. Bake at 325F for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool in the oven, then chill overnight.
Cranberry Apple Lattice Pie
Apples and cranberries are best friends in a pie. The apples bring sweetness, the cranberries bring tang and a gorgeous pink color. A lattice crust shows off the filling. This pie is wonderful on its own or with vanilla ice cream on Thanksgiving night. Quick poll: your favorite holiday pie? A) Pumpkin B) Pecan C) Apple cranberry D) Sweet potato.
You will need: 2 pie crusts, 4 apples peeled and sliced, 2 cups fresh cranberries, 3/4 cup sugar, 3 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp cinnamon, zest of 1 orange, 1 egg beaten.
How to make it: Toss the apples, cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and zest. Line a pie dish with one crust and add the filling. Cut the second crust into strips and weave a lattice. Brush with egg. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes, then 350F for 40 minutes until bubbling.
Cranberry Pear Crumble, Easy Cranberry Desserts for Weeknights
Pears and cranberries make a cozy winter crumble with a buttery oat topping. It is quick to put together and perfect for a chilly Sunday night. Serve it warm with custard, cream or ice cream. It is also great for breakfast the next day with yogurt, if you ask us.
You will need: 4 ripe pears diced, 2 cups cranberries, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch. Topping: 3/4 cup flour, 3/4 cup oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup cold butter.
How to make it: Toss the pears and cranberries with sugar and cornstarch and spread in a baking dish. Rub the topping ingredients together until clumpy. Scatter over the fruit. Bake at 375F for 35 to 40 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Cranberry Bliss Bars, Coffee Shop Style Cranberry Desserts
These bars are inspired by the famous coffee shop holiday treat. A blondie base packed with dried cranberries and white chocolate is topped with cream cheese frosting, more cranberries and a white chocolate drizzle. They are sweet, tangy and very addictive. Cut them into triangles for the classic look. Have you tried the coffee shop version?
You will need: Base: 3/4 cup melted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup white chocolate chips. Frosting: 4 oz cream cheese, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp orange zest. Top: dried cranberries, melted white chocolate.
How to make it: Mix the butter and sugar, then the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, cranberries and chips. Spread in a 9×13 pan and bake at 350F for 20 to 22 minutes. Cool. Beat the frosting and spread on top. Sprinkle with cranberries, drizzle with white chocolate and cut into triangles.
Cranberry Orange Muffins
Cranberry orange muffins are a holiday morning classic. The orange zest makes the whole kitchen smell amazing, and the cranberries add little pops of tartness. A sugar topping gives them a crunchy bakery style top. Make a batch for Christmas morning or to bring to a neighbor. Muffins are the easiest cranberry desserts to bake for breakfast.
You will need: 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, zest of 1 orange, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup milk, 1/3 cup oil, 1 egg, 1 1/2 cups cranberries, coarse sugar.
How to make it: Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and zest. Whisk the juice, milk, oil and egg and stir in until just combined. Fold in the cranberries. Fill a lined muffin tin and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake at 375F for 20 to 22 minutes.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
These chewy cookies are red and white like a candy cane, perfect for a Christmas cookie swap. Dried cranberries and white chocolate chips are a classic combination. A little orange zest makes them taste extra festive. They also freeze well, so bake ahead for the busy weeks. Who is getting a tin of these from you? Cookies are the cranberry desserts kids love most.
You will need: 1 cup soft butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup dried cranberries, 1 cup white chocolate chips.
How to make it: Cream the butter and sugars, then beat in the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in the cranberries and chips. Scoop onto lined sheets. Bake at 350F for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are golden. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes.
Cranberry Orange Scones
Tender scones with dried cranberries and orange zest, finished with a sweet orange glaze. They are perfect for a holiday brunch or a cozy morning with coffee. The trick to soft scones is cold butter and a light hand. Do not overmix the dough. Would you serve them with butter or clotted cream?
You will need: 2 cups flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup cold butter, 3/4 cup dried cranberries, zest of 1 orange, 2/3 cup cream, 1 egg. Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp orange juice.
How to make it: Rub the butter into the dry ingredients. Stir in the cranberries and zest. Mix the cream and egg and stir in just until it comes together. Pat into a circle and cut 8 wedges. Bake at 400F for 15 to 18 minutes. Cool and drizzle with glaze.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Pastry Wreath
This pastry wreath looks like it came from a fancy bakery, but it starts with store bought dough. A sweet cream cheese layer and tart cranberry sauce are rolled up, twisted and shaped into a ring. It makes a beautiful centerpiece for Christmas brunch. Everyone will want to know how you did it.
You will need: 1 can crescent dough sheet or 1 lb pizza dough, 4 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 3/4 cup thick cranberry sauce, 1 egg beaten. Glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tbsp milk.
How to make it: Roll the dough into a rectangle. Beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla and spread over the dough. Spread the cranberry sauce on top. Roll up from the long side, cut in half lengthwise and twist the two strands together. Form a ring. Brush with egg. Bake at 375F for 25 minutes. Drizzle with glaze.
Cranberry Christmas Bundt Cake, Cranberry Desserts for a Crowd
A glazed bundt cake covered with fresh cranberries looks like a holiday wreath. The cake is moist and buttery with cranberries baked inside. Top it with sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs for a snowy look. It is one of those cranberry desserts that feeds a big crowd easily.
You will need: 1 cup soft butter, 2 cups sugar, 4 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 3 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup sour cream, 2 cups cranberries. Glaze: 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbsp milk.
How to make it: Beat the butter and sugar, then the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the flour, baking powder and salt alternately with the sour cream. Fold in the cranberries. Bake in a greased bundt pan at 350F for 60 to 70 minutes. Cool and pour the glaze over. Decorate with cranberries.
Cranberry White Chocolate Layer Cake
This layer cake is made for a special holiday celebration. Vanilla cake layers are filled with a quick cranberry jam and covered in white chocolate frosting. The pink filling looks so pretty when you slice it. Quick poll: what cake would you choose for Christmas? A) Chocolate B) Cranberry white chocolate C) Gingerbread D) Red velvet.
You will need: 2 vanilla cake layers, 1 1/2 cups cranberries, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tbsp water. Frosting: 4 oz white chocolate melted and cooled, 1 cup soft butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp cream.
How to make it: Simmer the cranberries, sugar and water until thick, about 10 minutes, and cool. Beat the butter and powdered sugar, then add the white chocolate and cream. Spread jam and frosting between the layers, then frost the whole cake. Decorate with fresh cranberries.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce for Desserts
Homemade cranberry sauce takes ten minutes and is so much better than the can. It is not just for turkey. Spoon it over cheesecake, vanilla ice cream, pancakes or yogurt. Make a big batch and keep it in the fridge all season. Canned or homemade, where do you stand? It is the base for many cranberry desserts.
You will need: 12 oz fresh cranberries, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup water, zest of 1 orange, pinch of cinnamon.
How to make it: Bring the sugar, juice and water to a boil. Add the cranberries and zest. Simmer for 10 minutes until most berries pop. Stir in the cinnamon. Cool. It thickens as it chills. Keeps for 2 weeks in the fridge.
Cranberry Jam Toast Hearts
This is a sweet little treat for kids and grown ups. Thick toast is cut into heart shapes and spread with butter and homemade cranberry jam. It is a cute idea for a holiday breakfast or Valentine morning. Quick to make, and you can use leftover cranberry sauce instead of jam.
You will need: Thick slices of white bread or brioche, butter, 1/2 cup cranberry jam or sauce, heart cookie cutter, powdered sugar.
How to make it: Toast the bread until golden. Cut out hearts with the cookie cutter, or just spread whole slices. Spread with butter and a thick layer of cranberry jam. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.
Cranberry Crumb Bars, Cranberry Desserts That Travel Well
Buttery shortbread on the bottom, tart cranberry filling in the middle and a crumbly topping. These bars are easy to slice and travel well to holiday parties. The same dough is used for the base and the crumb topping, so there is very little work. Fresh or frozen cranberries both work.
You will need: 3 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 cup cold butter, 1 egg. Filling: 3 cups cranberries, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tbsp cornstarch, juice of 1 orange.
How to make it: Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in the butter and egg until crumbly. Press two thirds into a 9×13 pan. Toss the filling ingredients and spread over the base. Crumble the rest of the dough on top. Bake at 375F for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool before cutting.
