25 Festive Dried Cranberry Recipes

If you want something new to try for your Thanksgiving menu, toss this salad together. Fresh spinach leaves are tossed with toasted almonds and dried cranberries and drizzled with poppy seed dressing. It’s likely to become a holiday tradition at your house, too. —Michelle Krzmarzick Torrance, California

This festive dip is a snap to make, taking only 10 minutes from start to finish. Thanks to its hint of sweetness, both kids and adults will gobble it up. —Frankie Robinson, Lockhart, Texas

If you are traveling to a friend’s or loved one’s for the holidays, bring them something even better than a bottle of wine—this easy to whip up treat! —Arisa Cupp, Sherwood, Oregon

This tender side dish is perfect for the holidays or any time you want to add a special touch. Dried cranberries, currants and almonds serve up color and texture. My co-workers all make this rice pilaf for their families. —Pat Gardetta, Osage Beach, Missouri

I like using the slow cooker for our meals because it gives me time for other preparations, frees the oven, and it usually doesn’t matter if you serve it later than planned. The fruit in this recipe, which I adapted, gives the pork a special flavor. —Mary Jeppesen-Davis, St. Cloud, Minnesota

“I fill Christmas tins with this special candy to give as gifts,” says Pamela Galiardi of San Jose, California.

This salad makes an easy and special side dish for Thanksgiving dinner, and it’s packed with nutritious veggies, almonds, berries and squash. —Katie Wollgast, Florissant, Missouri

Sweet, smoky, tangy, fresh…the flavors in this distinctive appetizer are sure to perk up taste buds for dinner. I sprinkle the warm squares with basil and add a dollop or two of a mascarpone cheese topping. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California

A sweet white chocolate drizzle perfectly balances the tangy cranberries in my signature holiday dessert. I also make this tart for local coffee houses and restaurants. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

This cobbler is a little nontraditional but it will soon be at the front of your recipe list. Serve it warm with French vanilla ice cream. —Grace Sandvigen, Rochester, New York

I bake cream cheese cookie dough in miniature muffin tins to form little cups that hold a ginger-spiced fruit filling. They’re fun for winter potlucks and are just the right size. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

A twice-baked Italian cookie, biscotti makes a wonderful “dunker.” A pretty way to present a batch is on a seasonal plate arranged in a wagon-wheel fashion. —Libia Foglesong, San Bruno, California

We make these tiny tarts to stand in for the turkey and its trimmings at our casual holiday gatherings. — Nadine Mesch, Mount Healthy, Ohio

For something other than sweet potato casserole, we serve sweet potato croquettes as a unique side dish.They’re easier than you would think to make, and the relish can be prepared ahead and served chilled. —Radelle Knappenberger, Oviedo, Florida

Just pop one of these tasty morsels into your mouth for a tangy burst of flavor. If you prefer, make half with just apples and walnuts and the rest with cranberries and walnuts. —Judie Thurstenson, Colcord, Oklahoma

We get creative with leftovers and make them into wontons. With a little turkey, cream cheese, cranberry sauce and wrappers, you’ve got appetizers. —Sarah Gilbert, Beaverton, Oregon

If Brussels sprouts taste bitter to you, roast them for a gentle sweetness that goes with cranberries and almonds. This side dish won us over. —Claudia Lamascolo, Melbourne, Florida

Serving this on Christmas morning is a tradition in our home. It’s wonderful because I can make it the night before and pop it in the oven while we are opening gifts. —Jill Peterson, Richfield, Wisconsin

I call these “Star of the Party” tarts because they have that “I want more” appeal. They’re so easy to make, too! —Mary Hawkes, Prescott, Arizona

As a single retiree, I roast a turkey breast half instead of making a whole turkey dinner. This is a perfect meal for anyone cooking for themselves, and it also leaves enough leftovers for sandwiches and tacos. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

No one will ever guess this gooey treat wasn’t made from scratch. The foil pie pan makes it easy to transfer the pie to a serving plate for a company-worthy presentation.—Susan Scarborough, Fernandina Beach, Florida

This is my favorite fast recipe. A wonderful mix of flavors and textures, this impressive salad can be made in minutes for lunch or as a dinnertime side dish. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas

Stuffed with a succulent combination of wild rice, mushrooms and dried cranberries, these golden hens are sure to become a special-occasion entree in your home. They’re a wonderful change of pace from traditional turkey. —Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario

A cheese ball is a classic appetizer to take to any gathering, and it’s so easy to make. This version, studded with tangy dried cranberries, is a holiday hit. —Kathy Hahn, Pollock Pines, California

I make this every year for the holidays. It’s a healthy alternative to traditional coleslaw made with mayo. For a alternate flavor combination, substitute toasted sesame seeds and sesame seed oil for the walnuts and walnut oil, and rice wine vinegar for the white wine vinegar. —Bob Nopper, Salem, New York