Cranberry Recipe Round-Up
It’s official. Cranberries are my favourite Christmas holiday flavour. I love the vivid pop of colour and bright, tangy flavour they bring to every dish, both sweet or savoury.
‘Tis the season for this local fruit, both wild growing and cultivated in bogs all around Nova Scotia. Whether you enjoy them fresh or dried, cranberries deserve a spot on the holiday table.
In this cranberry recipe round up, I’m showcasing some of my favourite recipes from the Simple Bites archives to inspire a kitchen project or two. From easy appetizers to breakfast bakes, showstopper desserts and preserves, there’s something for everyone.
The Zero Waste Cranberry
All winter fruits hold a special place in my heart, but exotic ingredients like pomegranate or persimmon can be disappointingly lacklustre after traveling the food miles. Cranberries are a safe bet for my food dollars.
I never throw any cranberries away because they are so versatile, as demonstrated in the recipes that follow. Also? Cranberries can keep for a long time in the fridge (3-4 weeks if stored properly).
They also can be tossed in a bag and frozen whole, where they will keep for up to a year, or until your next baking project or festive cocktail.
Chef’s Tip: Sugared Cranberries
Now is a good time to remind you that simple sugared cranberries make a festive garnish to desserts and drinks! They are easy to do and bring a festive pop of colour to the sweet table.
Pretty garnishes for holiday desserts are more than just the finishing touch. They show that love and care has gone into a baking creation.
How to make pretty garnishes for holiday desserts: A collection of simple tutorials to help you make edible garnishes. Add them to your Twelve Days of Holiday Baking Projects!
Now read on for the cranberry recipe round-up!
Cranberries with Breakfast
Apple Almond Bircher Muesli with Winter Fruits ~ Don’t knock raw cranberries until you try them! I love them thinly sliced as a garnish to this fresh and nourishing breakfast bowl.
Overnight Spiced Stollen Swirl Buns ~ Dried cranberries bring a sweetness to these delicate Christmas morning buns.
Cranberry Orange Scones ~ Perhaps the most classic of pairings, orange and cranberries were made for each other.
Bonus: Cranberry Orange Bread from the Kelly over at Baked Collective
Cranberry Drinks
Blushing Quince and Cranberry Sangria ~ A simple, make-ahead holiday beverage, this festive white wine-based sangria features fresh cranberries and crisp apple cider.
I add cranberries to so many holiday drinks! If you also like to freestyle, drop sliced fresh cranberries into your Classic Aperol Spritz, any G&T, or get fancy with Laura’s Spiced Cranberry Orange Margaritas.
Appetizers with Cranberries
Cranberry and Walnut Baked Brie – Still one of the most popular holiday appetizers in the archives. Simple and delicious!
Oysters withFresh Cranberry Mignonette ~ My top choice for an elegant accompaniment to happy hour. This tangy garnish pops with flavour and is the perfect way to kick off a holiday party.
Brie & Cranberry Stuffed Mushroom Bites ~ A vegetarian and gluten-free option to your Christmas soiree. Easy to make and easy to eat, these delectable bites disappear in a flash!
Cranberries in Mains & Salads
Citrus Salad with Honey-Cinnamon Syrup ~ This vibrant fruit salad starts with citrus of all kinds, but after that I suggest you go wild with the garnish. Sliced, raw cranberries are a must; also delicious are pomegranate seeds, torn mint and kumquats.
Sweet & Sour Turkey Meatballs with Cranberries & Peppers (Slow-Cooker) ~ These turkey meatballs are studded with cranberries, flavoured with orange zest, and served over a bed of rice. Pure comfort food for winter nights.
Cranberry-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Roulade with Cider Gravy ~ Dried cranberries pair so well with the bacon in this fancy turkey dinner. Serve with cranberry sauce on the side for twice the fun!
A Christmas salad of winter greens & seasonal fruit ~ Not only does this salad boast the colours of Christmas, but it offers a welcome burst of acidity at a time when foods tend to be on the rich side. Delicious paired with my Classic Tourtière Recipe.
Cranberry Desserts
Eton-Mess Topped Cranberry Curt Tart ~ A holiday showstopper if there ever was one! This elegant tart is one of my favourite desserts to make in December.
Cranberry Orange Eton Mess ~ Similar flavours to the tart above, but way less involved. This is an easy, do-ahead dessert that looks so pretty served up in coupe glasses. (Gluten free)
Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding with Dark Chocolate & Cranberries ~ The latest dessert added to the cranberry line-up, this bread pudding is decadent and delicious! Serve it for brunch or dessert, ideally with soft whipped cream.
Cranberry-Orange Pie with Cornmeal Streusel Topping ~ A vibrant, tangy pie with a crunchy topping. Best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Cranberry Preserves
Cranberry Quince Conserve ~ A tangy seasonal preserve with bursts of sweetness, thanks to the quince. Delicious with roast chicken or pork.
Small Batch Cranberry Pear Compote ~ Tart cranberries pair well with sweet fall pears and this preserve is halfway between a sauce and a butter. It’s great for both for stirring into yogurt or dolloping atop a stack of pancakes.
Cranberry Pear Conserve with Ginger ~ A bright, wintery conserve, perfect for adding to a cheese plate or charcuterie board. The ginger really zings and pears balance
Canadian-Style Mincemeat with Cranberries ~ It’s not Christmas until the mince tarts come out of the oven. This version includes both fresh and dried cranberries for a bold tart filling that’s memorable and delicious.Pair with Rich Pie Crust and bake up a batch of tarts!
Cranberry Orange Sauce for Roast Turkey ~ One has to include a traditional cranberry sauce, for pairing with turkey, duck and roast chicken. My recipe hasn’t changed very much since 2010 because why mess with perfection?
Occasionally I’ll add a splash of port or grate in a teaspoon of fresh ginger, but the main ingredient never changes: fresh Nova Scotia cranberries. What an ingredient!
