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Cranberries are one of my favorite parts of fall and winter. As soon as the fresh bags show up in stores, I start tossing them into everything. Here are four easy cranberry desserts for Thanksgiving, Christmas and every cozy night in between: sparkling sugared cranberries, chewy white chocolate cranberry cookies, a warm cranberry apple crisp, and a simple cranberry bark that makes a pretty gift.
Tips for baking with cranberries
- Stock up when they’re in season. Fresh cranberries freeze beautifully for up to a year; use them straight from the freezer.
- Sort them first. Toss any soft or shriveled berries.
- Balance the tartness with sweet partners like white chocolate, apples, orange and brown sugar.
Sugared Cranberries
Ingredients
Method
- Simmer the water and 1 cup sugar until the sugar dissolves. Cool 5 minutes (it should be warm, not hot).
- Stir in the cranberries, then drain them well.
- Spread on a rack and let dry 1 hour, until tacky.
- Roll in the remaining sugar and let dry 1 more hour.
Notes
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Beat the butter and sugars, then the eggs and vanilla.
- Mix in the flour, baking soda and salt, then the oats, white chocolate and cranberries.
- Drop by rounded tablespoons onto lined baking sheets.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until golden at the edges.
Notes
Cranberry Apple Crisp
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and butter a 9×13 dish.
- Toss the apples and cranberries with the sugar, flour and cinnamon and spread in the dish.
- Mix the oats, flour and brown sugar, then cut in the butter until crumbly. Stir in the pecans.
- Sprinkle over the fruit and bake 40 to 45 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Cranberry White Chocolate Bark
Ingredients
Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Melt the white chocolate gently in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth. Stir in the orange zest.
- Spread 1/4 inch thick and sprinkle with cranberries and pistachios, pressing them in lightly.
- Chill 1 hour, then break into pieces.
Notes
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FAQ
Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes, for the crisp. Don’t thaw them first. For sugared cranberries, use fresh.
Can I use dried cranberries?
Yes, in the cookies and bark.
Which dessert is best for gifting?
The cranberry bark and sugared cranberries both pack beautifully in a tin.
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