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Cranberry desserts are wonderfully rich, sweet and tart, with dutifully ruby-red cranberries that come already holiday adorned in their finest
Cranberries bring to mind tucked-away memories of holiday gatherings and decorations!
Cranberries have so many uses, from being a tangy ingredient in a recipe to an embellishment on a table centerpiece.
Today we are exploring creative cranberry dessert ideas. And if you want savory cranberry recipes, stop by here too.
Whole, fresh cranberries are an absolute treasure…for only about three months of the year.
So here is a reason (or three) to freeze some of these tart jewels when they are next available so you can have them handy to use throughout the year.
Pro Tip: Thawed whole cranberries are leaky, so unless you are using your cranberries frozen, transfer them to a covered watertight container. The red juice can stain countertops, and the bags of thawing cranberries tend to leak in the fridge. Even if you just set the bag into a glass bowl, it will save you some cleanup.
Come on, this will be fun!
Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
There’s something about these soft and chewy cookies in a combo of sweet white chocolate and tangy dried cranberries that just works. These cookies are soft in the center, slightly crisp on the edges, and easy to make when you’re craving something a little extra without a ton of effort.
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Cranberry Curd Tart with Cornflake Crust
I fell in love with the vibrant red of this tart immediately. It tastes just as vibrant too: reminiscent of a bright lemon curd but with the seasonally lovely cranberry flavor.
No-Bake Berry Cheesecake Pie with Pretzel Crust
This luxe, no-bake berry cheesecake pie is for the true berry lover: fresh raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, a sweet cooked strawberry compote, and a puckery cranberry puree swirl.
Cranberry Orange Monkey Bread Bites
The orange and cranberry is SO GOOD, and if you love this flavor combo anyway, I think this cranberry orange monkey bread is for you. Sweet muffin cups of pull-apart finger food that tastes as festive as it looks!
Sugar Coated Cranberries
These candied cranberries are a magical human invention that you can have as is, add to cocktails, and even throw in on different cakes and holiday specials.
Homemade Cranberry Granola
This easy and tasty homemade snack is rich with dried cranberries, flax seed, rolled oats, sunflower kernels, agave syrup, maple syrup, coconut oil, and cinnamon. Not too sweet and it makes a perfect snack, breakfast yogurt topper and more.
Cranberry Brie Bites
I particularly love these cranberry brie bites made in phyllo cups.
Not only are they an easy cranberry dessert to prepare, but they look lovely on a serving plate and are easy to distribute at a gathering or event.
Cut, assemble, bake, and serve sounds like something we can all do!
Apple Cranberry Crisp
This quick cranberry recipe is akin to a cobbler in style and presentation.
To assemble, there are two parts, a crisp topping, and a fruit filling!
It may take a while to peel and slice the apples but other than that, this comes together quickly, using fresh or frozen cranberries.
And if you serve up a bowl of apple cranberry crisp, your kids will certainly ask for a scoop of ice cream on top!
Cranberry Pistachio Fudge
If fudge is a dessert that you allow yourself to indulge in but are tentative to try on your own, then this quick cranberry dessert recipe is for you!
Bonus ingredients of dried cranberries and pistachios add to the fabulous combination of creamy and crunchy, sweet, and tangy all at the exact same time!
Talk about a grownup guilty pleasure! Oh, and add to that our list of eye-popping cranberry cocktails and you have a party starting!
Cranberry Christmas Cake
This cake recipe is most definitely not the same old, same old!
This fresh cranberry dessert recipe is delightfully scrumptious.
It involves room temperature butter and slight peaks from an egg and sugar mixture.
It is topped not with icing but a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for a perfect finishing touch.
Cranberry Trifle Recipe
Just saying “trifle” makes me sit up straighter as if I am partaking in a formal afternoon tea.
This fresh cranberry dessert recipe includes layers of sweet custard, cake and tart cranberries.
Whipped cream and sugared cranberries popped on top when serving for the final added touch.
The bottom line
While faux cranberries can be found on door wreaths or garlands at the holidays, I love cranberries gracing my table in oh so many different ways.
Hoping for some cranberry sauce inspiration? We got you there, too.
I hope this collection of cranberry dessert ideas and recipes inspired you to consider using them throughout the year. For fun flair and foodie fare, I hope you found your next favorite cranberry desserts here!
