12 Cranberry Desserts for Thanksgiving So You Can Skip the Sauce

27.9K
1.7K
250
2025-11-05
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

Peach & Tomato Salad
20.6K
206
59

Peach & Tomato Salad

Freshen up your summer picnic with this toss-and-serve Peach and Tomato Salad. A handful of toasted pecans add the just-right amount of crunch.
Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
27.3K
2.5K
1K

Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

If your go-to order at Panera is a big bowl of broccoli cheddar soup, this is the recipe for you. Whip up a batch of copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup in just 40 minutes that rivals the restaurant.
These 11 Quick Dinner Ideas for Two Can Be on Your Table in 30 Minutes or Less
10.2K
612
232

These 11 Quick Dinner Ideas for Two Can Be on Your Table in 30 Minutes or Less

Bookmark these quick dinner ideas for two when you need simple, scrumptious homemade meals—no reservations required.
Garlicky Asparagus Flatbread
1.5K
130
32

Garlicky Asparagus Flatbread

This Garlicky Asparagus Flatbread recipe will become your new favorite vegetarian pizza. You might not immediately think of pairing garlic and asparagus with honey, but this sheet pan flatbread will make you a believer!
Two Tomato Bruschetta
3.3K
66
24

Two Tomato Bruschetta

Two Tomato Bruschetta is a flavor-packed appetizer with a duo of fresh and dried tomatoes.
Make-Ahead Mini Cheese Balls
35.2K
2.1K
802

Make-Ahead Mini Cheese Balls

Once you learn how to make cheese balls that you can customize—and then freeze for up to three months—you'll never host a party without them! Depending on which cheese ball seasoning you choose, this make-ahead cheese ball recipe can fit any season or color palette.
What Is the Mediterranean Diet? Learn Why Dietitians Recommend It
41.6K
832
399

What Is the Mediterranean Diet? Learn Why Dietitians Recommend It

Considered to be the "best diet" by several magazines and nutrition researchers, the Mediterranean diet is a well-balanced eating plan that many dietitians recommend to clients. What is the Mediterranean diet? And how do you follow it? (Spoiler: It's one of the easiest diets to stick to—ever!)
7 Healthy No-Bake Desserts That Are Super Easy to Make
25.6K
2K
449

7 Healthy No-Bake Desserts That Are Super Easy to Make

These healthy no-bake desserts fit perfectly into your lifestyle without heating up your home.
What to Know About the Many Benefits of Maca Root
49.5K
4K
1.5K

What to Know About the Many Benefits of Maca Root

This nutrient-packed root vegetable might be hard to find in certain forms, but the benefits of maca root might make it worth searching for—here's what to know.
7 Low-Cholesterol Meals Your Heart and Tastebuds Will Love
44.8K
2.7K
1.1K

7 Low-Cholesterol Meals Your Heart and Tastebuds Will Love

These low-cholesterol meals promote heart health without sacrificing any flavor.
Coconut-Chia Oat Crisps
6.8K
541
151

Coconut-Chia Oat Crisps

Chia seeds pack a potent dose of omega-3s, fiber, and protein. If you prefer a nuttier flavor and more crumbly consistency, swap in flaxseed meal.
13 Healthy Apple Desserts Recommended By Our Test Kitchen
20.8K
1.7K
465

13 Healthy Apple Desserts Recommended By Our Test Kitchen

Our collection of healthy apple desserts includes flavorful muffins, cookies, and more. Each has fewer than 250 calories and 10 grams of fat.
Gravy Mistakes You May Be Making, and How to Fix Them
7.6K
228
54

Gravy Mistakes You May Be Making, and How to Fix Them

Here you'll find solutions to common gravy mistakes, BHG's tested gravy recipes, and ideas for creative mix-ins including herbs and cheese. Follow our paths to gravy success.
Skip the Charcuterie and Make a Salad Board for Summer Entertaining
36.8K
1.1K
518

Skip the Charcuterie and Make a Salad Board for Summer Entertaining

Looking for a veggie-packed party app? Hop onto the salad board trend. Mix and match lettuce cups with bite-size toppers and salad dressings.
19 Christmas Snacks to Make This Holiday Season
22.8K
684
143

19 Christmas Snacks to Make This Holiday Season

Whether you’re hosting a big gathering and big meal, bringing a Christmas snack to a potluck, or just need to give friends and family something to nosh on when visiting, here are great ideas for Christmas snacks.
How to Make a King Cake for Mardi Gras
19.9K
1.6K
685

How to Make a King Cake for Mardi Gras

Our king cake recipe features the classic ring shape and uses a pecan as the hidden baby. Learn about the king cake tradition and how you can celebrate Mardi Gras at home.
We Tried the TikTok-Famous Million Layer Potatoes, And They're Delicious
13.6K
680
319

We Tried the TikTok-Famous Million Layer Potatoes, And They're Delicious

We put the TikTok-famous million layer potato recipe to the test. Get our take on the stacked potato recipe, including the most delicious homemade spicy aioli for dipping.
How to Cook Steak in the Oven
32.2K
2.6K
875

How to Cook Steak in the Oven

Have you always wanted to learn how to cook a steak in the oven? Follow this guide and become a master!
Fig, Pancetta, and Goat Cheese Brunch Casserole
13.1K
525
189

Fig, Pancetta, and Goat Cheese Brunch Casserole

This easy casserole is made the night before for an easy and stress-free brunch.
Blue Cheese-Bacon Cloud Eggs
43K
3K
1.2K

Blue Cheese-Bacon Cloud Eggs

Whipped egg whites create the "nest" that holds the yolk for this sunny breakfast recipe.