10+ Cranberry Recipes to Brighten Your Meals

Cranberries are a versatile fruit that can brighten up any meal with their tart flavor.

You can create a variety of delicious dishes with cranberries, from sweet treats to savory sides.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or just looking for a unique addition to your weeknight meals, using cranberries can add a burst of color and taste to your table.

Incorporating cranberries into your cooking is simple and enjoyable. With a range of recipes available, you can find options suitable for any occasion, ensuring that you make the most of this delightful ingredient.

1) Cranberry Orange Quick Bread

Cranberry orange quick bread is a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. The tartness of fresh cranberries combines wonderfully with the bright flavor of orange. This bread is both easy to make and moist, making it a favorite.

To start, you will need simple ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen.

Fresh or frozen cranberries work well, adding a burst of flavor in every bite. You can even add a sweet glaze to enhance the taste.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 large egg

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and coat a loaf pan with cooking spray.
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
3. Stir in melted butter, orange juice, zest, and egg until just combined.
4. Fold in cranberries gently.
5. Pour the mixture into the loaf pan and bake for about 50-60 minutes.
6. Let it cool before slicing and enjoy!

2) Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries

Roasted Brussels sprouts with cranberries make a tasty side dish. The nutty flavor of the sprouts balances well with the sweet-tart cranberries. This dish is perfect for holidays or any meal.

To start, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Trim the ends of the Brussels sprouts and cut them in half. Mix them with fresh cranberries, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Spread the mixture on a baking sheet. Roast them for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through. The sprouts should be golden brown and the cranberries burst.

These roasted Brussels sprouts are easy to make and packed with flavor. They will surely impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 6 oz fresh cranberries
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare the Brussels sprouts and cranberries.
3. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Spread on a baking sheet.
5. Roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through.

3) Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry Brie Bites are a delightful and easy appetizer. You can make them in no time with just a few ingredients. These bites are perfect for holidays or any gathering.

To start, you need crescent roll dough, brie cheese, and cranberry sauce. You can add a sprinkle of rosemary for extra flavor.

Simply roll out the dough, cut it into squares, and place a piece of brie and a spoonful of cranberry sauce in the center.

Bake them at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.

These bites are sure to impress your guests with their rich flavors and beautiful presentation.

Ingredients

• Crescent roll dough
• Brie cheese
• Cranberry sauce
• Fresh rosemary (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out the crescent dough and cut into squares.
3. Place a piece of brie cheese and a small spoonful of cranberry sauce on each square.
4. Fold the dough around the filling and pinch to seal.
5. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown.

4) Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

Cranberry oatmeal cookies are a tasty and chewy treat you can easily make at home. The combination of oats and dried cranberries gives these cookies a unique flavor and texture.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will need all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, and of course, dried cranberries. You can also add nuts if you like.

For baking, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Mix your dry ingredients, then combine with wet ingredients until everything is well mixed. Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto a baking sheet and bake for about 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy your warm cranberry oatmeal cookies fresh out of the oven!

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, combine oats, sugar, and dried cranberries.
4. Mix wet and dry ingredients until combined.
5. Drop spoonfuls of batter onto a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

5) Cranberry Margaritas

Cranberry margaritas are a fun twist on the classic drink. They are perfect for gatherings or a refreshing treat on a warm day.

To make them, you can use fresh cranberry juice along with tequila and lime juice. The tartness from the cranberry pairs well with the tangy lime, creating a delicious balance.

You can shake everything with ice for extra chill. Strain it into a glass with ice, and you have a lovely drink to enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice
• 3/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 3/4 cup tequila
• 1/2 cup triple sec (optional)
• Ice

Cooking Instructions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add cranberry juice, lime juice, tequila, and triple sec if using.
3. Shake well until chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with lime or cranberries if desired. Enjoy!

6) Cranberry Walnut Salad

Cranberry Walnut Salad is a delicious and healthy choice. It combines sweet and tart flavors with a mix of textures. You’ll love the combination of crunchy walnuts, tangy cranberries, and fresh greens.

To make this salad, start with a base of mixed greens or spinach. Add in some sliced apples for a crisp bite. Then, toss in walnuts and dried cranberries for added flavor. A simple balsamic vinaigrette brings everything together.

This salad makes a great side dish or a light meal. It’s perfect for holidays, parties, or just a quick lunch. Enjoy the freshness and vibrant colors!

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed greens or spinach
• 1 apple, sliced
• ½ cup walnuts, chopped
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens and sliced apples.
2. Add the chopped walnuts and dried cranberries.
3. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss gently.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

7) Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Biscotti

Cranberry chocolate chunk biscotti is a tasty treat that perfectly combines sweet and tart flavors. These crunchy cookies are great for dipping in coffee or tea. Plus, they’re easy to make and fun to share.

To start, you’ll mix together the dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and sugar. Then, add in the dried cranberries and chocolate chunks.

Once your dough is ready, shape it into logs and bake them at 350°F (175°C) until golden. After the first bake, slice the logs into biscotti and bake again to get that perfect crunch.

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup chocolate chunks
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and baking powder.
3. Add cranberries and chocolate chunks.
4. In another bowl, beat eggs and vanilla.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients to form a dough.
6. Shape dough into logs and place on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.
8. Let cool, then slice into biscotti.
9. Bake slices for an additional 10-12 minutes for crunch.

8) Cranberry Pomegranate Smoothie

This cranberry pomegranate smoothie is refreshing and packed with flavor. It’s perfect for a quick breakfast or a healthy snack. With the blend of cranberries and pomegranate, you get a nice boost of nutrients.

To make it, you’ll need some fresh or frozen cranberries, pomegranate juice, and a bit of Greek yogurt. You can also add a touch of honey for sweetness if you like.

It’s simple to whip up and fills you up with good energy. Just blend everything until smooth, and enjoy a delicious drink.

Ingredients

• ½ cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup unsweetened pomegranate juice
• 6 ounces plain Greek yogurt
• 2 teaspoons raw honey (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Add cranberries and pomegranate juice to a blender.
2. Add Greek yogurt and honey if using.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

9) Cranberry Cake with Almonds

Cranberry cake with almonds is a delightful treat that blends tartness with a nutty flavor. This cake is perfect for any gathering or a cozy family dessert.

To start, you will need some fresh cranberries and almond flour for a rich taste. The cake will have a moist texture and a lovely aroma that fills your kitchen.

You can enjoy this cake plain or with a light frosting. It’s a wonderful dessert for the holiday season or any special occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or almonds
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a cake pan.
3. In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar together.
4. Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
5. Fold in the flour and salt until combined.
6. Next, gently mix in the cranberries and nuts.
7. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.
8. Once baked, cool the cake before serving.

10) Baked Brie with Cranberry Jam

Baked Brie with cranberry jam is a simple yet delicious appetizer. The warm, melted cheese pairs perfectly with the sweet and tangy jam. It’s sure to impress your guests at any gathering.

To make this dish, you need brie cheese, cranberry jam, and a few other ingredients. You can serve it with crackers, fruits, or even sliced baguette for dipping.

This recipe takes just a few minutes to prepare and is baked until gooey. You will love how easy it is to make this festive treat.

Ingredients

• 1 wheel of brie cheese
• 1/2 cup cranberry jam
• Fresh herbs (optional, for garnish)
• Crackers or bread for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Place the brie cheese on a baking dish.
3. Top the brie with cranberry jam.
4. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is soft.
5. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh herbs, if desired.
6. Serve warm with crackers or bread.
7. Enjoy!