26 best cranberry recipes

Why we love cranberries

Jewels of winter, these crimson fruits are often simmered with sugar to make jam, and served alongside the turkey for Christmas. However, they can be so much more than just a festive condiment. Their sweet-sour nature lends well to refreshing, zingy desserts, such as fools, crumbles and pies. They are often consumed as cranberry juice for a refreshingly tart beverage.

Health benefits of cranberries

Cranberries are well-known for their role in preventing urinary tract infections, as they have natural antibacterial benefits. They're also rich in antioxidants and beta-carotene, which supports healthy skin, as well as immune-supportive vitamin C.

Easy cranberry recipes

Cranberry and port sauce

A side of festive cranberry and port sauce is a grown-up addition to your Christmas dinner.

Don't forget the bread sauce.

Cranberry and pistachio sandwich cookies

Use cranberries, pistachios and other festive ingredients to make these impressive cookies from Edd Kimber. You can even turn them into cookie sandwiches with a decadent pistachio buttercream!

Our Christmas biscuits are equally joyful.

Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sausage puffs

Try these crispy turkey, stuffing and cranberry sausage puffs for an easy festive canapé. This recipe makes 15 and can be made well in advance, meaning you'll be ready for all those Christmas parties.

Keep it classic with out our sage and onion stuffing,

White chocolate cranberry cheesecake blondies

Add a pop of colour and fruity flavour to your classic blondies with our easy recipe. These sweet treats have an indulgent cheesecake swirl running through them, they're great for sharing.

If you like these, you'll love our Christmas brownies.

Boozy cranberry sauce

Made with red wine and port, this tangy and indulgent cranberry sauce makes a perfect accompaniment to your Christmas turkey or goose.

Make the ultimate onion gravy.

Cranberry gimlet

Try this easy three-ingredient spin on a gimlet – it's made with cranberries for subtle sharpness and a vivid pink colour.

Ginger and cranberry steamed pudding

Looking to jazz up your Christmas pudding? Check out this indulgent steamed pudding recipe with seasonal cranberries and fiery ginger.

Make sure you bake our Christmas cake and mince pies, too.

Camembert and cranberry pithivier

Our camembert and cranberry pithivier is quick, easy and makes for an impressive starter dish. Cut this open at the table for maximum "oohs" and "aahs".

For more vegetarian entertaining ideas, check out our mushroom pithiviers and butternut squash pithivier.

Cranberry and ginger fizz

Cranberry juice creates a pretty pink hue and brings a hint of tartness to this mocktail.

Spiced cranberry sauce

Give your homemade cranberry sauce a tangy kick by adding sumac and festive orange zest. This recipe comes from east London's Bubala restaurant.

Cranberry cake

Tangy bursts of cranberry, crunchy pistachios, fluffy citrus sponge and smooth, sweet icing make this cake a flavour sensation – a crowd-pleasing Christmas treat.

Be inspired by all our more Christmas baking ideas.

Christmas rocky road

Traditional digestives are swapped for ginger biscuits, whilst cranberries and pistachios add some festive colour in this crowd-pleasing Christmas rocky road.

Treat your loved ones to one of our many homemade Christmas gifts.

Miso Christmas stuffing

Miso adds a deep savoury sweetness to this stuffing. Flecked with pistachios and cranberries (and wrapped in streaky bacon), it's an absolute must on Christmas Day.

We also have deliciously crisp roast potatoes,

Cranberry-cured salmon

Tinged a festive shade of red from fresh cranberries, this cured salmon recipe is perfect for a Christmas dinner starter. Make your own dill and horseradish crème fraîche to serve.

Alternatively, try our mustard and dill cured salmon.

Cinnamon-spiced pecan and cranberry duff

This recipe is a New England take on the traditional British upside-down cake. It's often made with the north-east’s famous apples, but here cranberries and pecans provide a sharp, crunchy counterpoint to the rich, buttery batter. Serve warm with ice cream, or at room temperature with a cup of tea.

Check out our best American desserts.

Goat’s cheese, sunflower seed and cranberry salad

Check out this gluten free goat's cheese salad with candied sunflower seeds and cranberries, it makes for a quick and easy veggie side dish.

See all our creamy goat's cheese recipes.

Christmas mojito

Try this festive twist on everyone's favourite minty cocktail, where rum is mixed with cranberry juice and soda, then garnished with mint leaves and pomegranate seeds.

Cranberry and almond muffins

Packed full of seasonal produce, these cranberry and almond muffins are guaranteed to get you in the mood for Christmas. The perfect mix of sweet and sour, they make a great on-the-go breakfast.

For another fruity bake, try our blueberry muffins.

Coconut butter, date and cranberry energy balls

Try our vegan coconut butter, date and cranberry energy balls. They're a really healthy pre-workout snack.

We've got more healthy sweet snacks for you to try.

Christmas morning cranberry butter

This cranberry butter is a delicious topping for waffles or pancakes on Christmas morning and beyond.

For another festive treat, sip on our Christmas hot chocolate.

Cranberry and chestnut stuffing

Make these festive chestnut stuffing bites for your Christmas dinner - balls of dried cranberry, sausagemeat, and chestnuts, wrapped in streaky bacon.

Enjoy all our Christmas trimmings recipes.

Cranberry tart with cinnamon cream

Fill your tart with a Rudolph-red cranberry curd for the ultimate festive dessert this Christmas. Serve with sweet whipped cinnamon cream.

Discover more delicious Christmas desserts.

Gem squash with cranberry and chestnut stuffing

This recipe for squash stuffed with cranberries, chestnuts and garlic is easy, healthy and vegetarian.

See all our vegetarian Christmas recipes.

Roast duck with cranberry and sour cherry sauce

This is a great entertaining dish, it looks and tastes impressive, but is surprisingly easy to make. Use fresh cranberries if they're in season, and make double of the sauce to use with other meat.

See our easy duck confit.

Cranberry and ginger tiffin

Make this simple, indulgent tiffin to treat someone for a festive gift. You can swap the white chocolate for dark or milk – go for the recipient’s favourite. The cranberry and ginger flavours really lift the buttery biscuit. Ready in only 30 minutes.

You'll love our Baileys chocolate tiffin.

Cranberry Christmas pudding

A lighter version of the traditional pud, this won’t keep in the same way, although you can make it up to a week before you need it. Cook like a pro: finish with some extra sauce - melt 3 tbsp of golden syrup and add glacé cherries and almonds.

Check out our classic Christmas pudding.