The Best Cranberry Dessert Recipes You'll Ever Make (2024)

FAQs

Are fresh or dried cranberries better for baking? ›

Can I substitute dried cranberries in recipes that call for fresh cranberries? Yes, dried cranberries work well in baked goods; however there is a ¼ cup difference in measurement. If a recipe calls for one cup of fresh or frozen cranberries, use ¾ cup of sweetened dried cranberries.

If cranberries are frozen then removed from the freezer then thawed, they will have a soft texture and are usable for cooking and baking. Adding frozen cranberries to recipes is often recommended.

HOW MUCH CRANBERRIES TO EAT DAILY? Studies confirming the health-promoting properties of cranberries have typically used doses of 100-300 g of fresh cranberries, equivalent to 7-10 g of dried cranberries, and 100-150 ml of 100% cranberry juice.

Your recipe should specify whether to use chopped cranberries or not. If it doesn't, be sure to measure your cranberries before chopping them. Follow this guide: If the recipe says to use "1 cup (250 mL) cranberries" chop the cranberries first, then measure them.

Rehydrate the fruits: Dried fruits can be quite hard and dry, so it's often a good idea to rehydrate them before adding them to your baked goods. To do this, simply soak the dried fruits in warm water or fruit juice for 15-20 minutes until they are plump and tender.

Dried cranberries may be marketed as craisins due to the similarity in appearance with raisins, although the word "Craisin" is a registered trademark of Ocean Spray. Craisins were introduced as part of a packaged cereal produced by Ralston Purina in 1989.

Place plastic bags of cranberries directly in the freezer for up to twelve months and use without thawing—just run cold water over them to rinse before using. Because some bruised and soft berries and some stems and leaves are often in the bags, you might prefer to sort and wash the berries before freezing them.

If stored correctly, fresh cranberries will last in the refrigerator for three to four weeks. If you opted to freeze them, they'll keep well for up to a year.

Both fresh and dried cranberries are safe to feed to dogs in small quantities. Whether your dog will like this tart treat is another question. Either way, moderation is important when feeding cranberries to dogs, as with any treat, as too many can lead to an upset stomach.

Is it safe to eat cranberries raw? Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

Are cranberries good for bowels? ›

Cranberry juice can help increase fluids and also contains calories, which can help stimulate a bowel movement. Does cranberry juice give you diarrhea? Cranberry juice can help relieve constipation, but it can also cause diarrhea if you drink too much.

If you take aspirin regularly, as a blood-thinner, for example, or if you are allergic to aspirin, you should not take cranberry supplements or drink a lot of juice. Other medications: Cranberry may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver.

Anything from a drizzle of honey to agave, maple syrup, or molasses will also fare well. After a few minutes of maceration, the sour fruit juices will mix with the sugar and alleviate some of the cranberries' natural tartness.

Cooking with cranberries is a fun and easy way to incorporate unique flavor, color and variety into meals. Frozen cranberries can often be used in recipes that call for fresh without even having to thaw.

Choose. Although cranberries are almost always prepackaged, look for firm, plump berries with a deep red color. Avoid shriveled or soft berries.

This juicy red fruit is perfect to add a natural sweetness to a variety of breads, quick breads, scones, and muffins or any recipes. Reconstitute dried cranberries like you would raisins; simply soak the cranberries in hot water and let them stand for 15 to 20 minutes and strain before using in a recipe.

Using Dried Cranberries Instead of Fresh

Rehydrating dried cranberries is an optional (but recommended) step if you're baking with them, as they won't dry out further during baking and become chewy or hard. Instead, they'll be plump and add moisture to the end product.

The tartness of fresh cranberries pairs well with sweet or buttery baked goods, such as banana bread and pound cake. Just toss the cranberries with flour to keep them from sinking during baking, then stir into the finished batter before transferring it to the baking pan.