8 Cranberry Inspired Dessert Recipes

No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without the cranberry sauce. However, you can do a lot more with these tart berries than just make the seasonal side dish. Juicy and tart, cranberries will lend a robust flavor to traditional desserts. Plus, they are considered a superfood rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Here are eight cranberry inspired dessert recipes for you to try this fall.

1. Cranberry Pear Tart with Almond Cream

This tart is both elegant and delicious. Pears and cranberries complement each other to provide the perfect bouquet of subtle, delicious flavor.

2. Cranberry Bliss Cookies

If you’ve ever tried a cranberry bliss bar at Starbucks you’ll definitely want to make these copy-cat cranberry bliss cookies. Plus, who can resist cream cheese frosting?

3. Cranberry Pie

Combine the tart flavor of cranberries with a light, flaky crust to make a scrumptious, albeit less commonly made, pie.

4. Cranberry Brie Bites

These cranberry brie bites are the perfect mixture of savory, tart flavor. Serve them as an appetizer or bite-sized dessert.

5. Orange-Cranberry Yogurt Loaf

Your family will devour this loaf as soon as you pull it out of the oven. This sweet bread is a perfect morning side or post-dinner dessert.

6. Cranberry Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins

These muffins are the perfect after school snack or post-dinner treat. Plus, they are healthier alternative to cake or cookies.

7. Mini Cranberry Apple Pies

These bite-sized pies will be a hit at your next office party or family get-together. Sprinkle Turbinado sugar before baking for an extra-special touch.

8. Cranberry Gingerbread Scones

These scrumptious scones marry two holiday-favorite ingredients. You’ll love the unique flavor combination.

Feature image via Some the Wiser

Clarissa Fidler is a 20-something trying to find her place in this world. She grew up in Seattle, attended college in Utah, and recently moved back to the Pacific Northwest after spending three years in Chicago obtaining her master’s degree in journalism. Clarissa spends her days working as a higher education professional helping graduate students pursue their passions. In her free time you’ll find her reading the New York Times, cuddling with her cat Harper, catching up on her favorite blogs, enjoying the outdoors, or checking out a new restaurant.  If you’d like to read more by Clarissa, check out her blog West Hawthorne Place.

Try these other fall ideas:

Veggie Sides                         Pumpkin Recipes                  Fall Desserts

Vegan Desserts                    Paleo Desserts                       Camping Desserts

Published: October 6, 2014Filed Under: Desserts, Holiday, Thanksgiving, Tipsaholic Tagged: cooking, Desserts, food, Holiday, Holidays, Kitchen, Thanksgiving

About Clarissa Earl

Clarissa is a wife and stepmom embracing life in the Land of Enchantment. She works as a nonprofit communication specialist by day and blogger by night. Some of her favorite things are Dr. Pepper, green chile, baseball, country music, and her yellow lab.