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

Crab Rangoon Roll-Ups Are So Much Better Than the Original

Crab Rangoon Roll-Ups Are So Much Better Than the Original

This crab rangoon roll-up recipe is the perfect balance of crispy tortilla shell and creamy crab filling. Serve them with your favorite sweet chili sauce.
Ricotta and Parmesan Spread

Ricotta and Parmesan Spread

Basil, oregano, and chives brighten up this rich Parmesan and ricotta cheese spread. Start your next dinner party with this easy, cheesy appetizer. Just add slices of baguette and veggies for dipping!
Pineapple-Ginger Punch

Pineapple-Ginger Punch

Pineapple-Ginger Punch might just be your new favorite summer drink. To transform the refreshing punch recipe into a cocktail, spike the fresh ginger-infused sip with rum or vodka.
Why You Should Be Eating More Pecans

Why You Should Be Eating More Pecans

Beyond their delicious taste, pecans are also packed to the brim with nutrition. Read on to find out just what makes pecans such a healthy addition to your lifestyle as well as some tasty ways to get started.
What Is Natural Flavor? Here’s What It Means on Food Labels

What Is Natural Flavor? Here’s What It Means on Food Labels

What does “natural flavors” mean when you see it on a food or drink label? A flavorist explains how your favorite strawberry drink gets that taste.
13 High-Protein Breakfast Ideas for a Morning Brain Boost

13 High-Protein Breakfast Ideas for a Morning Brain Boost

Looking for a protein-loaded breakfast? Here are our best energy packed breakfast ideas to give your morning a boost. Incorporate these recipes into your daily routine for a high protein breakfast.
How Long to Cook Steak on a Grill for Perfect Results Every Time

How Long to Cook Steak on a Grill for Perfect Results Every Time

Conquer your next cookout with tips on all you need to know about how long to cook steak on a grill, the best cuts to buy, and how to serve the steak.
How to Cook Eggplant—5 Simple Methods

How to Cook Eggplant—5 Simple Methods

If you're wondering how to cook eggplant, keep reading. On the grill, roasted, sautéed, and—yes—even in the microwave, this vegetable is as versatile as it is delicious.
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes—6 Different Methods Including Baked, Fried, and More

How to Cook Sweet Potatoes—6 Different Methods Including Baked, Fried, and More

Mash them, bake them, pressure-cook them, or turn them into fries—whatever your method, follow these steps to make perfect sweet potatoes every time.
Easy Chicken and Broccoli Recipes You'll Be Making on Repeat

Easy Chicken and Broccoli Recipes You'll Be Making on Repeat

From all-American casseroles to Korean-style suppers to Italian chicken Parm, these chicken and broccoli recipes show how that combo *can* be something you eagerly anticipate. We’ve rounded up our best healthy chicken and broccoli recipes (as well as a few more decadent options) to help remix your weeknight menu.
16 Cauliflower Recipes to Make if You're Cooking Tonight

16 Cauliflower Recipes to Make if You're Cooking Tonight

This round-up of cauliflower recipes features the versatile veggie as the star of the plate. Each of these recipes with cauliflower provides a wide array of options everyone can enjoy, any night of the week.
Snap Peas, Snow Peas, and Farro with Oranges and Citrus-Sesame Vinaigrette

Snap Peas, Snow Peas, and Farro with Oranges and Citrus-Sesame Vinaigrette

The crunchy combo of snap and snow peas complements the chewy bite of farro and contrasts the juicy orange sections.
Chilaquiles Breakfast Casserole

Chilaquiles Breakfast Casserole

Try this make-ahead breakfast casserole to feed a crowd on a busy weekend. The zesty Mexican flavors will inspire everyone to come back for seconds.
Fire-Roasted Tomato and Italian Sausage Grinders

Fire-Roasted Tomato and Italian Sausage Grinders

Use canned fire-roasted tomatoes to rev up this classic Italian sausage sandwich recipe.
Gluten-Free Giant Ginger Cookies

Gluten-Free Giant Ginger Cookies

We've used a 1/4 cup of cookie dough for each of these giant, molasses-infused cookies. If you prefer smaller cookies, there's instructions for mini gluten-free ginger cookies, too.
Gluten-Free Fresh Herb Vinaigrette

Gluten-Free Fresh Herb Vinaigrette

In just 10 minutes, you can have a zesty homemade salad dressing ready. The olive oil will solidify when chilled, so let the vinaigrette stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving. Don't forget to shake it well!
Portobello Pot Roast

Portobello Pot Roast

Meaty portobellos stand in for beef in this vegetarian portobello pot roast that's as rich as the classic but cooks in a fraction of the time.
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
How to Smoke Food Even if You Don't Have an Actual Smoker

How to Smoke Food Even if You Don't Have an Actual Smoker

Add complex flavors to your meats, seafood, grains, and veggies with our Test Kitchen tutorials on how to smoke food at home using a charcoal or gas grill.
Grilled Trout Stuffed with Lemon and Herbs

Grilled Trout Stuffed with Lemon and Herbs

This is a simple, flavorful way to grill almost any whole fish, with a 'stuffing' designed not to be eaten, but to flavor the fish from the inside out.