Best Cranberry Desserts for Thanksgiving 2025

Thanksgiving is all about indulging in comforting sweets that bring warmth and joy to the table. And what better way to celebrate the season than with cranberry desserts? Their sweet-tart flavor pairs beautifully with oranges, chocolate, and creamy cheeses, making them a star ingredient for festive baking.

In this roundup, I’ve gathered 8 of the best cranberry desserts for Thanksgiving 2025. From show-stopping Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Bars to elegant Phyllo Pastry with Brie and Cranberry Sauce, and festive Cranberry Pistachio Truffles, these recipes will make your holiday table shine. Each dessert is simple, delicious, and perfect for impressing family and friends.

Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
• 1 can crushed pineapple, drained (20 oz)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Pour melted butter into dish, sprinkle with brown sugar.
3. Spread pineapple and cranberries evenly over sugar layer.
4. Prepare cake mix as directed on package.
5. Pour batter over fruit mixture.
6. Bake 35–40 minutes until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate.

Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping

Ingredients

• 1 box raspberry Jello (6 oz)
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce (14 oz)
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 cup sour cream

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. In a bowl, dissolve Jello in boiling water.
2. Stir in cranberry sauce and pineapple. Pour into a glass dish. Refrigerate until firm (about 4 hours).
3. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and sour cream until smooth.
4. Spread topping over set Jello.
5. Chill until ready to serve.

Cranberry Brie Bites

Ingredients

• 1 package refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 oz)
• 1 round Brie cheese, cut into small cubes
• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional)

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a mini muffin tin.
2. Cut crescent dough into 24 small squares. Press into muffin cups.
3. Place a cube of Brie in each dough cup.
4. Top with 1 tsp cranberry sauce and sprinkle pecans.
5. Bake 12–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 cup cranberry sauce (swirled on top)

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment.
2. Mix crumbs and butter, press into pan for crust.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
4. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, sour cream, and orange zest.
5. Pour mixture over crust. Swirl cranberry sauce on top.
6. Bake 40–45 minutes until set. Cool completely, then chill before cutting into bars.

Cranberry Orange Sour Cream Scones

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• Zest of 1 orange
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 egg

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line baking sheet with parchment.
2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly.
3. Stir in cranberries and orange zest.
4. In another bowl, whisk sour cream, milk, and egg. Stir into flour mixture.
5. Shape dough into a circle, cut into 8 wedges.
6. Place on baking sheet and bake 18–20 minutes until golden.

Phyllo Pastry with Brie, Cranberry Sauce, and Pecans

Ingredients

• 1 package phyllo dough (16 oz), thawed
• ½ cup melted butter
• 8 oz Brie cheese, sliced
• ½ cup cranberry sauce
• ½ cup chopped pecans

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking sheet.
2. Layer 3–4 sheets phyllo, brushing each with butter. Cut into squares.
3. Place Brie slice, cranberry sauce, and pecans in center.
4. Fold edges over to form a bundle.
5. Bake 12–15 minutes until golden and crisp.

Cranberry Pistachio White Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients

• 8 oz white chocolate, chopped
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped
• ½ cup pistachios, chopped
• Cocoa powder or powdered sugar for rolling

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Heat cream until simmering, pour over white chocolate. Stir until smooth.
2. Fold in cranberries and pistachios. Chill mixture until firm (2 hours).
3. Scoop small balls and roll in cocoa powder or powdered sugar.
4. Chill until ready to serve.

Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped
• ½ cup pistachios, chopped
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Mix in vanilla.
3. Add flour, cranberries, and pistachios. Mix until dough forms.
4. Roll dough into a log, wrap in plastic, and chill 1 hour.
5. Slice into rounds and place on baking sheet.
6. Bake 12–15 minutes until edges are lightly golden.

Conclusion

Cranberry desserts add the perfect festive touch to your Thanksgiving celebration. Their bright flavor, vibrant color, and natural tang balance out the richness of holiday meals, creating sweets that everyone will love.

With these 8 cranberry desserts for Thanksgiving 2025, you’ll have plenty of inspiration for pies, cakes, truffles, and more. Whether you’re looking for something elegant to serve after dinner or a simple treat to share with loved ones, these desserts are sure to become holiday favorites.