12 Cranberry Desserts for Thanksgiving So You Can Skip the Sauce

Even if you still serve cranberry sauce, these cranberry desserts will be devoured by everyone.

Sparkling Cranberry-Ginger Panna Cotta
Photo: Carson Downing

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.

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Cranberry Pie with Honey Meringue

Cranberry Pie with Honey Meringue
Blaine Moats

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.

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Cranberry-Chocolate Cheesecake

Cranberry Chocolate Cheesecake
Scott Little

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.

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Bourbon Cranberry Cookies

Bourbon Cranberry Chippers
Andy Lyons

Bourbon and cranberries? Definitely a winning cranberry dessert. A bourbon chocolate ganache adds even more luxury to the spiked cranberry cookies.

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Sparkling Cranberry-Ginger Panna Cotta

Sparkling Cranberry-Ginger Panna Cotta
Carson Downing

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.

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Crustless Cheesecake with Cranberry Sauce

Crustless Cheesecake with Cranberry Sauce
Andy Lyons

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.

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Cranberry-Orange Tea Ring

Cranberry-Orange Tea Ring
Blaine Moats

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.

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Cranberry-Pear-Walnut Cake

Cranberry-Pear-Walnut Cake
Blaine Moats

This party-worthy cranberry dessert is chock-full of classic fall ingredients. Homemade caramel sauce adds a special touch.

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Cranberry Tarts

Cranberry Tarts
Charles Schiller

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.

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Pear-Cranberry Deep-Dish Pie

Pear-Cranberry Deep-Dish Pie
Andy Lyons

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.

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Apple-Cranberry Pie

Apple-Cranberry Pie
Jason Donnelly

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.

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Cranberry Blondies

Cranberry Blondies
Andy Lyons

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.

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Cranberry Twist Bread

Cranberry Twist Bread
Blaine Moats

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!

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