Cranberries are the flavor of the holiday season, and they’re much more versatile than one dish of sauce at Thanksgiving! Here are 22 cranberry recipes for every part of the season, including sides, breakfasts, homemade gifts, and desserts.
For the Holiday Table
Cranberries have been part of holiday dinners for generations, and for good reason. Their tangy flavor cuts right through rich gravy and buttery sides, and several can be made ahead so the big day feels a little less hectic.
Cranberry Sauce (with Orange)
Just fresh cranberries, orange juice, and sugar simmered until the berries pop. It’s ready in about 20 minutes and tastes even better when you make it a day or two ahead.
Fresh Cranberry Relish
No stove needed for this one! Fresh cranberries and a whole clementine get pulsed in the food processor, then chilled into a bright, tangy-sweet relish for your holiday plate.
Cranberry Jello Salad
This old-fashioned holiday side mixes raspberry or cherry Jello with canned cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple, fresh orange, and pecans, then chills in the fridge until firm.
Cranberry Fluff
Cranberry sauce, pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, and Cool Whip come together in five minutes. Serve it as a side or call it dessert. Nobody will argue!
Sausage Stuffing with Apples
Boxed herb stuffing gets a homemade upgrade with sausage, apples, celery, and dried cranberries. The cranberries add little pops of sweetness to every savory bite.
Winter Salad
Baby spinach, bacon, feta, candied pecans, and dried cranberries tossed in a bright orange vinaigrette. It adds something fresh and colorful to a heavy holiday spread.
Cranberry Chicken
Whole berry cranberry sauce, French dressing, and onion soup mix bake into a sweet and tangy glaze over tender chicken. It only takes 10 minutes of prep, and the oven does the rest!
Crock Pot Cranberry Chicken
Chicken thighs simmer low and slow in cranberry sauce with orange, rosemary, and thyme. It’s a cozy, hands-off dinner for those busy weeks between the big holiday meals.
⇢ Have leftover homemade sauce? Use it anywhere a recipe here calls for a can of whole berry sauce. About 1 ½ cups equals one can.
Holiday Mornings
There’s something special about a slow holiday morning, with coffee brewing and something warm coming out of the oven. Tart cranberries make a simple breakfast feel festive without any extra effort!
Cranberry Muffins
This old-fashioned recipe comes from Mrs. Wilkes’ Boarding House in Savannah, Georgia. Sour cream keeps the muffins tender, and orange zest brightens every tart berry.
Orange Cranberry Muffins
Made in one bowl with about 15 minutes of prep, these fluffy muffins lean into the orange with plenty of fresh zest. Stir in walnuts or pecans if you like a little crunch.
Orange Cranberry Corn Muffins
Two boxes of Jiffy mix, fresh orange zest, and dried cranberries make a quick holiday shortcut. They’re sweet enough for breakfast and just right next to the holiday ham, too.
Cranberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake
A rich sour cream cake swirled with whole berry cranberry sauce and finished with a sweet almond glaze. It’s a pretty centerpiece for Christmas brunch or a holiday get-together.
Cranberry French Toast Casserole
A classic make-ahead dish that’s perfect for Christmas brunch, overnight guests, or any other seasonal gathering — and it won’t have you stuck in your kitchen for hours!
Cranberry Baked Oatmeal
Old-fashioned oats, pecans, warm spices, and tart cranberries bake into a lightly sweet breakfast you can cut into squares. Fresh, frozen, or dried cranberries all work here.
⇢ Don’t thaw frozen cranberries. Fold them into the batter while they’re still frozen so they don’t streak the batter, and add a few minutes to the bake time.
Holiday Baking and Gifts
Whether you’re baking for your own dessert table or filling gift tins for friends, cranberries add a pop of color and a little tang to every bite. These are the recipes worth doubling this time of year.
Christmas Jam
Strawberries, cranberries, orange zest, and warm spices cook down into a ruby-red jam that tastes like the holidays. Tie a ribbon on a jar for teachers, neighbors, or hostesses.
Best Cranberry Bread
A classic quick bread packed with tart cranberries, fresh orange juice and zest, and chopped nuts. It’s tender, not too sweet, and perfect with a cup of coffee on a cold morning.
One-Bowl Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
Two fall favorites in one loaf! This one-bowl pumpkin bread is warmly spiced, studded with tart cranberries and nuts, and finished with a crunchy cinnamon sugar top.
No Knead Cranberry Walnut Bread
Six ingredients and about five minutes of hands-on time give you a crusty, bakery-style loaf full of dried cranberries and walnuts. A long, slow rise builds all the flavor.
Cranberry Pie
My grandmother’s cranberry pie skips the pastry crust. Juicy berries and chopped nuts go in the pan first, then a buttery batter bakes on top into a light, cake-like crust.
Apple Cranberry Crisp
Sweet apples and tart cranberries bake under a buttery oat and pecan topping until the filling bubbles. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an easy holiday dessert.
Chewy Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
Soft, chewy oatmeal cookies warmed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, then loaded with dried cranberries. There’s no chilling the dough, so you can bake a batch any time a craving hits.
Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies
Dried cranberries and white chocolate chips make these thick, soft, chewy cookies look as festive as they taste. The red and white colors brighten up any Christmas cookie tray!
⇢ Stock up while they’re in stores. Fresh cranberries freeze for up to a year right in the bag, so grab a few extra for baking after the holidays.
I hope these cranberry recipes make your holiday cooking a little easier and a lot more festive!
Save them so they’re ready when you pick up that first bag of cranberries, and share them with anyone planning a holiday menu.
