Food

Favorite Cranberry Recipes | Holiday Dishes

A sampling of our favorite cranberry dishes, from savory sauces and easy-to-make bread to centerpiece-worthy pies and desserts.

By Cathryn McCann|Nov 15 2018| Print icon

Favorite Cranberry Recipes | Holiday Dishes

Favorite Cranberry Recipes

Credit: Pixabay
During the holidays cranberries are often thought to come in one form – sauce. Whether it be made from scratch or out of a can, cranberry sauce is a staple side dish of many Thanksgiving meals. But the small, delectable berries can be the star ingredient of sweet and savory dishes alike – from sauce to cookies. These are some of Yankee’s favorite recipes featuring cranberries.
Favorite Cranberry Recipes | Holiday Dishes

Favorite Cranberry Recipes

Credit: Pixabay
Favorite Cranberry Recipes
Credit: Pixabay

Favorite Cranberry Recipes

Cranberry Surprise Pie

A quick, company’s-coming pie that makes its own crust and tastes like a macaroon cookie with cranberries. Serve this Cranberry Surprise Pie during the holidays, when cranberries are most available, with a dollop of whipped cream.

Chai-Spiced Orange-Cranberry Sauce

A gentle hint of chai tea lends warm spice flavors to this sweetly aromatic, simple sauce. Pay close attention to the timing, though: Too much steeping will bring out the tea’s bitter notes.
Chai-Spiced Orange-Cranberry Sauce

Chai-Spiced Orange-Cranberry Sauce

Credit: Michael Piazza
Chai-Spiced Orange-Cranberry Sauce
Credit: Michael Piazza

Glazed Cranberry Tea Cakes

These beautiful pound cakes are studded with chopped dried cranberries and drizzled with a pretty pink cranberry glaze. You can find unsweetened cranberry juice in most Whole Foods markets and health-food stores.
Glazed Cranberry Tea Cakes

Glazed Cranberry Tea Cakes

Credit: Michael Piazza
Glazed Cranberry Tea Cakes
Credit: Michael Piazza

Cranberry Nut Pie

More like a cake than a pie, this cranberry nut pie is packed with fresh, tart cranberries and crunchy nuts.

Cranberry Onion Jam

In November 1991, Jasper White produced a menu of Thanksgiving sides, which he did with serious attention to historical record. Knowing that cranberries and onions were widely eaten in colonial America, he combined them into this sweet-savory Cranberry–Onion Jam. Be sure to let the onions caramelize fully—their sweetness makes the dish.
Cranberry-Onion Jam

Cranberry-Onion Jam

Credit: Heath Robbins
Cranberry-Onion Jam
Credit: Heath Robbins

Whole Wheat Maple Cranberry Scones

Maple syrup adds sweetness, cranberries bring welcome tartness, and whole-wheat flour lends a nutty flavor and a pleasing heartiness to these maple cranberry scones.
vermont-maple-scones
Credit: Corey Hendrickson
Whole Wheat Maple Cranberry Scones
Credit: Corey Hendrickson

Apple-Pear-Cranberry Crostata

Apple-Pear-Cranberry Crostata — a  free-form tart filled with sliced apples, pears, and cranberries — is sweet and tangy, doesn’t require any fussiness on your part, and makes an impressive holiday centerpiece. It’s best served with vanilla ice cream.
Apple-Pear-Cranberry Crostata

Apple-Pear-Cranberry Crostata

Credit: Michael Piazza
Apple-Pear-Cranberry Crostata
Credit: Michael Piazza

Cranberry Bread

This easy recipe for cranberry bread produces a very moist cake-like texture that’s delicious any time of year.

Cranberry Parfait

As long as your cranberry sauce is firm and doesn’t have too many spicy ingredients, your favorite recipe should work. Same goes for the granola–use your own recipe, or a good store-bought one will do fine.
Cranberry Parfait

Cranberry Parfait

Credit: Francine Zaslow
Cranberry Parfait
Credit: Francine Zaslow

Pistachio Cranberry Icebox Cookies

What goes along with the holiday season better than a plate of cookies? Not only are these buttery and chock full of dried fruit and nuts, but the green from the pistachios and red from the cranberries makes them look especially festive.
Pistachio Cranberry Icebox Cookies
Credit: Aimee Seavey
Pistachio Cranberry Icebox Cookies
Credit: Aimee Seavey
Which of these cranberry recipes is your favorite? This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated. 

Cathryn McCann

While on staff as digital assistant editor, Cathryn wrote and promoted content for NewEngland.com and its social media channels. Prior to this role, she lived and worked on Martha’s Vineyard as a newspaper reporter, covering everything from environmental issues and education to crime and politics.

More by Cathryn McCann

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Login to post a comment

You might also like...

Asparagus Gouda Tart
Breakfast & Brunch
12 Favorite Brunch Recipes
By Cathryn McCann
Six assorted cookbooks displayed in two rows, each featuring colorful food photography on the covers.
Food
10 New England Cookbooks to Read (and Cook From) Now
By Amy Traverso
Smiling woman in a kitchen holding a glass of red drink, with ingredients and utensils on the counter.
Food
Best in Show | 5 Favorite Recipes from 10 Seasons of Weekends with Yankee
By Amy Traverso
A collage of different foods.
Food
The 2025 Yankee Food Awards
By Amy Traverso

Shop the New England Store

Unlock Your Roots – One Free Account, Endless Discoveries.

Get access to New England templates, research tools, and more.