Sweet, tart, cozy, and beautiful, cranberries steal the show in these recipes. Whether you’re using up leftover cranberries from Thanksgiving, planning your Christmas Menu, or simply craving something bright and seasonal, this collection has something for everyone. From classic desserts and festive drinks to savory mains, spreads, and holiday sides, these cranberry recipes are the ones you’ll come back to year after year.
Most of these recipes work with fresh or frozen cranberries, and many allow dried cranberries as well… check individual posts for tips and substitutions.
Cranberry Desserts
Celebrate the season with these stunning cranberry desserts! From rich cheesecakes to cranberry bliss bars (a Starbucks copycat) and creamy layered treats, each one highlights the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors that make cranberries so special.
1. Cranberry Bliss Bars
These homemade Cranberry Bliss Bars {Starbucks Copycat} combine white chocolate blondies, dried cranberries, and orange zest, topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting.
2. Cranberry Cheesecake
This cheesecake is a delicious balance of creamy sweetness and tart fruitiness. It all starts with my perfect cheesecake, which you will want to use for more cheesecake recipes, too!
3. Cranberry Pie
Cranberry Pie is a bright, tangy dessert baked in a flaky, homemade pie crust (no-fail!) or an all-butter crust. It’s the perfect pie to bring a burst of color to your holiday dessert table.
4. French Apple Cranberry Pie
This Cranberry Apple Pie blends the best of both seasons! Sweet apples (like in my Apple Pie) and tart cranberries baked together in one cozy, festive dessert. I love a scoop of my no-churn vanilla ice cream on top!
5. Cranberry Delight
This is a must-make dessert for any time you crave a sweet, subtly tart, creamy treat! I also have Strawberry Delight, made with fresh strawberries, which you will love, too!
6. Cranberries In Snow
Tart cranberries meet a sweet whipped cream cheese topping in this festive dessert. The bright red base and snowy white top make it as beautiful as it is delicious, especially with sugared cranberries on top!
7. White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge
White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge is a rich, sweet, and creamy fudge bursting with cranberries! If you love fudge, be sure to try my Original Fantasy Fudge Recipe and Butter Pecan Fudge.
8. Cranberry White Chocolate Magic Bars
These Cranberry White Chocolate Magic Bars start with a rich, buttery crust and are topped with a creamy coconut and cranberry filling, finished with a sprinkle of white chocolate chips. If you love these, try my Magic Cookie Bars, too!
Cranberry Breads, Muffins & Coffee Cakes
These cranberry bread recipes are ideal for breakfast, brunch, or gifting to neighbors and friends. Bursting with bright citrus and juicy berries, they make any morning feel a little more festive.
9. Cranberry Orange Loaf
This Cranberry Orange Loaf is a moist, citrusy quick bread with bursts of tart cranberries and a sweet orange glaze. I love a slice with a hot cup of coffee!
10. Cranberry Coffee Cake
A soft, buttery cake layered with tart cranberries and a cinnamon crumble, then finished with a drizzle of glaze, this Cranberry Coffee Cake is a holiday favorite! You’ll also love my Raspberry Coffee Cake for a berry-filled variation.
11. Cranberry Walnut Bread
This Cranberry Walnut Bread is soft, chewy, and packed with tart cranberries and toasted walnuts. It’s simple to make and so flavorful! Don’t miss my Sun-Dried Tomato Bread, too!
12. Cranberry Banana Muffins
Sweet bananas and tart cranberries make these muffins a fun, fruity treat for breakfast or snacking. You’ll also love my classic (and best!) Banana Muffins!
13. Cranberry Orange Muffins
These Cranberry Orange Muffins are soft, flavorful, and topped with turbinado sugar for a sweet, crunchy finish.
14. Cranberry Cream Cheese Muffins
These Cranberry Cream Cheese Muffins, based on my (dare I say, perfect) Cream Cheese Muffins, are soft, moist, and filled with tart cranberries, with a sweet streusel topping.
15. Cranberry Orange Star Bread
Want to the the star of any gathering? Serve this Cranberry Orange Star Bread! It is a pull-apart bread filled, twisted, and baked with homemade cranberry orange jam, and then sprinkled with confectioners’ sugar. I also have an apple pull-apart bread that is just as cozy and perfect for breakfast or brunch.
16. Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls
Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls are made with a fluffy, buttery dough filled with tangy cranberry-orange goodness and finished with a sweet orange glaze. If you love these, you’ll also adore my classic Cinnamon Rolls!
Cranberry Cookie Recipes & Cranberry Scone Recipes
Add a touch of holiday flavor to your cookie trays and tea time with these cranberry cookies (perfect to add to your list of Christmas cookies) and scones. Each bite combines buttery dough with tangy cranberries and, often, a little white chocolate for sweetness.
17. Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
Buttery, citrusy, and lightly tart, these Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies are a simple slice-and-bake treat. Try my perfected Shortbread Cookies, too!
18. White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies are a blend of soft, chewy oats with sweet white chocolate and tart cranberries, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg.
19. Soft Batch White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies
The creaminess of white chocolate blends beautifully with the tartness of the dried cranberries in these cookies. Plus, the combination is the perfect festive treat for the holidays. And, you can’t go wrong with a batch of soft chocolate chip cookies, too!
20. Cranberry Orange Scones
Cranberry Orange Scones balance sweet sugar, tart cranberries, and bright orange zest, finished with a sweet glaze. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, they’re easy to make! You’ll also love my White Chocolate Raspberry Scones.
Festive Cranberry Sides & Spreads
Cranberries aren’t just for desserts; they shine in side dishes and spreads, too! These recipes add a burst of color and flavor to your holiday table, from creamy fluff salads to sweet, buttery spreads.
21. Cranberry Fluff
Cranberry Fluff is a fun, festive treat; it’s sweet, tangy, and full of texture with cranberries, pineapple, whipped topping, marshmallows, and a nutty crunch from walnuts. Love this? Try my Pineapple Fluff next!
22. Cranberry Jello Salad
Cranberry Jello Salad is a colorful, festive treat; sweet, tangy, and full of texture with cranberry gelatin, orange juice, pineapple, and pecans, all topped with fluffy whipped cream. Want the flavor to really shine? Try it with my Homemade Cranberry Sauce!
23. Cranberry Honey Butter
Cranberry Honey Butter is sweet, tangy, and festive! Made with whole-berry cranberry sauce and honey, it’s perfect on rolls, biscuits, or even pancakes and waffles.
24. Sugared Cranberries
Sugared Cranberries are fresh cranberries coated in simple syrup and tossed in sugar for the perfect festive treat. These are delicious on their own as a candy, but I especially love using them for garnish! They are so beautiful and would look perfect on top of a glass of Christmas punch, a cheesecake, or a cup of cranberries in snow.
Savory Cranberry Dishes
Cranberries aren’t just for sweet treats; they’re incredible in savory dishes too! From spreads and dips to main courses and baked appetizers, these recipes add a pop of color, flavor, and festive flair to your holiday table.
25. Cranberry Aioli
Creamy, tangy, and bursting with cranberry flavor, this spread is perfect on sandwiches, roasted meats, or as a flavorful dip. I use it on my Turkey Melt Sliders, which are SO good!
26. Cranberry Bacon Jam
Sweet, smoky, and savory, this jam takes toast, crackers, or burgers to the next level. It is a variation of my popular Onion Bacon Jam (which you will want to try, too, if you haven’t)! Don’t stop there! Check out all of my bacon jam recipes!
27. Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
A crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s cheesy, nutty, and festive for holiday entertaining. I also have the classic Cheese Ball recipe that is always a hit!
28. Cranberry Salsa
Bright, tangy, and slightly zesty, this salsa is perfect for chips, tacos, or as a topping for roasted meats. I love it over a block of cream cheese to serve as a spread for crackers.
29. Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Fresh, tart, and versatile, this classic sauce elevates everything from turkey to sandwiches. I also have an easy cranberry sauce you may want to check out!
30. Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
This Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip blends fresh cranberries with green onions, jalapeños, and fresh cilantro, balanced with orange zest and sugar, and mixed with cream cheese and sour cream. I like to garnish the dip with more cranberries and cilantro to make it look even more festive! Add it to your Vegetable Tray!
31. Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites
Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites are a quick and easy appetizer made with crescent roll dough, brie cheese, seasoned ground pork, and cranberry sauce. These make the perfect appetizer for any holiday party!
32. Cranberry Orange Chicken
Sweet and tangy baked chicken with a festive cranberry-orange twist. Impressive enough to add to your holiday table. Or, serve with a simple side salad for a delicious meal any night of the week!
33. Cranberry Apple Pork Tenderloin
Cranberry Apple Pork Tenderloin is seasoned, oven-roasted pork topped with a sweet and tangy mix of Honeycrisp apples, fresh cranberries, brown sugar, and warm spices. I could not get enough of this pork dish! Keep some apples around for my Apple Orchard Chicken, too!
34. Cranberry Feta Chicken Bake
Sweet, tangy, and full of cozy fall flavor, this Cranberry Feta Chicken Bake is a simple one-pan meal that looks as beautiful as it tastes! If you love feta, you will want to try my Pesto Feta Rolls, too.
Cranberry Cocktails & Drinks
Raise a glass to the holidays with these cranberry cocktail recipes! From sparkling mimosas and mojitos to festive punches and mocktails, there’s something here for everyone to sip and enjoy.
35. Cranberry Vodka Slush
Cranberry Vodka Slush is cranberry juice, lemon-lime soda, and vodka, frozen into a slush mixture, and served topped with more lemon-lime soda. It’s the perfect Christmas and New Year’s Eve drink to serve at all of your parties!
36. Cranberry Lime Mojito
Mojitos are not just a summer drink. Cranberry Lime Mojito is a refreshing cocktail that is perfect for the holidays. The cranberry syrup gives the drink a festive look, and with the mint and touch of lime, it has that red and green coloring that just makes sense around the holiday season! I also have an Apple Cider Mojito you will want to try!
37. Cranberry Mimosa
Something is relaxing and refreshing about a mimosa for brunch or a lazy morning. Adding cranberries to this popular drink makes it more festive for the holidays and a lovely drink to serve when you have guests over. Serve it along with my baked pecan French toast for a lovely brunch!
38. Cranberry Margarita
This Cranberry Margarita is a refreshing mix of tequila, cranberry, and citrus; it is as pretty to look at as it is to sip! Perfect for winter gatherings, holiday parties, or toasting on New Year’s Eve. You might also like my Orange Pomegranate Margarita, too!
39. Christmas Gin Fizz
This Christmas Gin Fizz mixes gin, cranberry, lemon juice, and simple syrup, topped with bubbly club soda. Garnish with sugared cranberries and rosemary for a drink that’s as festive as it is delicious!
40. White Christmas Mojito
A White Christmas Mojito mixes lime, mint, coconut, and rum, then tops it with sugared cranberries for a festive touch. Perfect for holiday parties! And, don’t miss my Snowed-In White Chocolate Hot Cocoa, too, for another fun adult beverage!
41. Christmas Punch
Christmas Punch is a fizzy, festive mix of cranberry, citrus, pineapple, rum, and triple sec, perfect for holiday parties. Serve it alcoholic for adults or skip the booze for a crowd-pleasing mocktail!
42. Christmas Slush Mocktail
Christmas Slush Mocktail is a frozen mixture of cranberry juice, orange juice, and lemonade concentrate, served topped with cherry lemon-lime soda.
Try Them All
Love cranberries? Save this roundup so you can come back all season long. Whether you’re baking, cooking, mixing drinks, or using up leftover berries, there’s something here for every holiday moment. Try a dessert, a savory dish, and a festive drink… you’ll be amazed how versatile cranberries really are!!
