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 Photo Credit : Pixabay
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.
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 Photo Credit : Michael Piazza
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 Photo Credit : Michael Piazza
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 Photo Credit : Heath Robbins
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.
Whole Wheat Maple Cranberry Scones Photo Credit : Corey Hendrickson
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 Photo Credit : Michael Piazza
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 Photo Credit : Francine Zaslow
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 Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Which of these cranberry recipes is your favorite?
This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated.
Cathryn McCann
As Digital Assistant Editor, Cathryn writes, manages, and promotes 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. Originally from New Hampshire, Cathryn spends most of her time out of the office on the trails, slopes, or by the water.
