6 Delicious holiday cranberry recipes (that aren't cranberry sauce)

It’s officially cranberry season! And if you’re looking to add a festive or seasonal twist to some of your favorite dishes, adding cranberries is one of the easiest ways to do it.

Cranberries have so many uses in the kitchen beyond traditional Cranberry Sauce (though that’s delicious, too). And we’ve got all the inspiration you need. Read on for six of our favorite cranberry recipes, for cool-weather cocktails to upscale crab cakes, and everything in between.

1. Cranberry Rum Brie

Cranberry and brie are a classic combination — and this sweet, tart, crunchy and creamy appetizer is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Brown sugar, nutmeg and McCormick Rum Extract give this irresistible flavor. 

2. Cranberry Walnut Dutch Oven Bread

‘Tis the season for baking bread, and this cranberry walnut loaf is a must-try. It tastes hearty and filling, thanks to crunchy walnuts, while baking in a Dutch oven gives this a satisfying crust. Best of all, this recipe also includes a homemade cranberry-cinnamon cream cheese spread that you’ll want to put on everything.

3. Almond Apple and Cranberry Baked Oatmeal

Not all holiday-inspired cooking needs to be luxurious. And if you’re looking for a cozy and low-key breakfast, give this cranberry- and apple-studded oatmeal a try. Baking oatmeal in the oven gives the fruit time to break down, so each bite is full of natural sweetness. And if you’re out of apples, try subbing in pears, raspberries or blueberries — whatever you have on hand.

4. Cranberry Apple Bread Pudding

Speaking of cranberry and apple, this tasty bread pudding is a must-serve at the holidays. It falls somewhere between a traditional dessert and a breakfast, making it ideal for luxe winter brunches and for when you want a dessert that’s not too sweet. This recipe stores well in the fridge, too, so you can make a big batch for easy meals all week long.

5. Spiced Cranberry Hand Pies

Portable dessert, edible gift or sweet mid-day snack: These hand pies can do it all. They’re packed with cranberry flavor, thanks to both cranberry juice and dried cranberries. And they’re deceptively easy to make, due to the magic of store-bought pie crust. You can have ‘em on the cooling rack in just 40 minutes.

6. Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Air Fryer Cookies

Of course, if you need an even easier dessert, these air fryer cookies fit the bill. They take a traditional chocolate chip cookie and add festive flavor with dried cranberries for a crowd-pleasing treat. The air fryer is perfect for small-batch baking, so keep the cookie dough in the freezer over the holidays to bake a few cookies when you need to.