12 Cranberry Desserts for Thanksgiving So You Can Skip the Sauce

2016-02-19
12 Cranberry Desserts for Thanksgiving So You Can Skip the Sauce

We've got delicious cranberry dessert recipes perfect for any occasion. Whether making your first pie or you're a baking pro, try these cranberry sweets for a fall holiday get-together or special weeknight dinner.

01 of 12

Cranberry Pie with Honey Meringue

One reviewer shared, "Made this pie for Thanksgiving and loved it." Your guests will rave about the tart cranberry orange filling and the fluffy honey meringue. Just before serving, use a kitchen torch to lightly toast the meringue.

02 of 12

Cranberry-Chocolate Cheesecake

Classic cheesecake gets a decadent makeover with some help from rich chocolate swirls and a sprinkling of beautiful ruby-red cranberries.

Test Kitchen Tip

Take this Thanksgiving dessert over the top with a sprinkle of sugared cranberries. To make, roll frozen cranberries in granulated sugar and serve.

03 of 12

Bourbon Cranberry Cookies

Bourbon and cranberries? Definitely a winning cranberry dessert. A bourbon chocolate ganache adds even more luxury to the spiked cranberry cookies.

04 of 12

Sparkling Cranberry-Ginger Panna Cotta

Layers of sweet cream and cranberry-ginger sauce star in this showstopping Thanksgiving cranberry dessert. Pour the prepared fillings into 5-ounce glasses and chill up to 24 hours before serving. Finish each glass with sugared cranberries and fresh mint.

05 of 12

Crustless Cheesecake with Cranberry Sauce

Skip the crust! This Thanksgiving cranberry dessert with cream cheese is enough to get your guests talking. Top off the creamy five-ingredient cheesecake with our luscious homemade cranberry sauce.

06 of 12

Cranberry-Orange Tea Ring

Store-bought dough makes this a surprisingly easy-to-bake cranberry dessert recipe. Dried cranberries, orange peel, pecans, and lots of spice combine into this delicious tea ring that's perfect for any fall party.

07 of 12

Cranberry-Pear-Walnut Cake

This party-worthy cranberry dessert is chock-full of classic fall ingredients. Homemade caramel sauce adds a special touch.

08 of 12

Cranberry Tarts

These mini fresh cranberry desserts are great for brunch or dessert. If you like to plan ahead, you can place the tarts in freezer bags and freeze for up to 4 months.

09 of 12

Pear-Cranberry Deep-Dish Pie

The warm flavors of ripe pears and tart cranberries come together with ginger and nutmeg in this delicious homemade pie. The best part? An extra-deep baking dish means there's more of this cranberry dessert to love.

10 of 12

Apple-Cranberry Pie

Apple and cranberry desserts are central to fall, so the combo is a guaranteed holiday knockout. Orange peel and lemon juice add a hint of citrus to the pie.

11 of 12

Cranberry Blondies

Turn regular blondies into a festive dried-cranberry dessert recipe. Two-ingredient cinnamon whipped cream (1/2 cup whipping cream, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon) adds a little spice to the sweet treat.

12 of 12

Cranberry Twist Bread

A homemade orange icing takes this cranberry bread recipe from brunch to dessert! Fill a simple yeast dough with pecans, cranberries, and orange zest for a sweet Thanksgiving dessert idea that goes great with a cup of coffee.

Holiday Menus to Make Planning Easy

You may be a holiday dinner pro looking for new ideas, or it may be your first time hosting family and friends for a special meal. Either way, we have menu ideas to take the decision-making off your plate and make your celebration a little easier to host—and enjoy!

Related Article

Red Curry Tofu Skewers

Red Curry Tofu Skewers

Tofu, eggplant, and mushrooms soak up the ginger-curry marinade like mini sponges, infusing them with fresh Thai flavors.
24 of Our Favorite and Most Delicious Classic Italian Recipes

24 of Our Favorite and Most Delicious Classic Italian Recipes

Start with classic Italian pasta recipes and end with a homemade dessert like you'd get in a trattoria for the ultimate Mediterranean meal.
This Smoked Mole-Inspired Turkey Is Juicy and Flavorful

This Smoked Mole-Inspired Turkey Is Juicy and Flavorful

For this smoked turkey recipe, we concocted a rub using spices typically found in a traditional Mexican mole (a rich chocolate-chili sauce), including cocoa, cinnamon, cumin, and chili powder. If you don’t have a smoker, you can still use the warm spice combo on a roasted turkey.
Crispy Tofu "Stir-Fry"

Crispy Tofu "Stir-Fry"

This easy stir-fry recipe is healthier than most—instead of actually frying the tofu, make it in your air-fryer instead! It'll be just as crispy as frying it oil, but much healthier for mixing with veggies and rice.
Fruit Leather

Fruit Leather

Fruit Leather
Can You Eat Salmon Skin? Yes—And Here’s the No. 1 Secret to Cooking it Properly

Can You Eat Salmon Skin? Yes—And Here’s the No. 1 Secret to Cooking it Properly

Not all seafood is enjoyable skin-on, so you might be wondering, “can you eat salmon skin?” You sure can, but it’s important to employ a few simple strategies to ensure it’s golden-brown and crispy (rather than rubbery). We’ll walk you through how to cook salmon skin—both on the fish and off as a makeshift “chip.”
Blueberry Oat Chia Seed Muffins

Blueberry Oat Chia Seed Muffins

These sweet mini muffins are delicious and surprisingly healthy! Get your day started off on the right note with these blueberry muffins that come with a few health upgrades (including oats and chia seeds).
Asian-Style Sweet Potatoes

Asian-Style Sweet Potatoes

Make-ahead side dish magic: Prep and roast the sweet potatoes and broccoli up to three days ahead. Once you're ready to eat, all that's left to do is reheat, toss with dressing, and serve.
Cauliflower Steaks with Hazelnuts and Browned Butter

Cauliflower Steaks with Hazelnuts and Browned Butter

Finish this caramelized cauliflower with a rich brown butter and hazelnut pan sauce.
Spicy Tempeh Bulgogi

Spicy Tempeh Bulgogi

A sweet sesame-soy marinate makes infuses plant-based tempeh (fermented soybean cake), making a delicious Asian-inspired vegan meal.
Tombstone Taco Dip

Tombstone Taco Dip

Refried bean dirt, shredded lettuce grass, and tortilla tombstones and trees take chip dip to Halloween territory.
4 Must-Haves for a Self-Serve Margarita Bar Guests Will Love

4 Must-Haves for a Self-Serve Margarita Bar Guests Will Love

Impress your guests with this party-ready margarita bar—complete with a variety of garnishes, rimmers, and boozy stir-ins for customized cocktails.
Healthy Sandwich Ideas That Rival Your Favorite Deli Order

Healthy Sandwich Ideas That Rival Your Favorite Deli Order

Our healthy sandwich ideas include everything for eating well, from healthy sandwich meat to fresh veggies. This portable meal can be good for you.
The Best Methods and How Long to Marinate Chicken for Tasty Meals

The Best Methods and How Long to Marinate Chicken for Tasty Meals

Learn the best ways and how long to marinate chicken using our two easy methods for the tastiest meals you'll make again and again.
Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Make roasted Brussels sprouts in your oven! Toss with apples, cherries, and pecans for an irresistible 20-minutes vegetable side.
Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

Buffalo chicken and gooey cheese? Count us in. Serve this scrumptious buffalo chicken recipe with carrots and celery to help make it a fresh and filling meal.
Lemon-Caper Tuna and Noodles with Alfredo

Lemon-Caper Tuna and Noodles with Alfredo

Calling for just five simple ingredients, this 20-minute pasta recipe is one of the easiest dinner recipes that has even come out of our Test Kitchen. Brighten things up just before serving by topping with a handful of chopped chives.
Farro-Stuffed Peppers

Farro-Stuffed Peppers

Farro-Stuffed Peppers
12 Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes That Will Be Morning Staples

12 Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes That Will Be Morning Staples

Gluten-free breakfast recipes might seem hard to come by, but we've got options. Here you'll find recipes for gluten-free pancakes and more.
Eggplant "Meat" Balls with Chimichurri

Eggplant "Meat" Balls with Chimichurri

Enjoy these plant-based meatballs for your next meatless dinner.