Not only are these fruity morsels great in muffins and sweetbreads, they also bring to life everything from salads and sandwiches to roasted veggies. Dried cranberries can be used in many of the same recipes as raisins; only they add a fun layer of tartness to the mix. So when you need something bright, sweet, and loaded with color, try one of these easy Craisins recipes. Because dried cranberries are good for more than just cookies, you know!
1. Oatmeal Craisin Cookies
You’ve probably had an oatmeal raisin cookie at least once in your life. But if you haven’t tried oatmeal Craisin cookies yet, you’re in for a real treat. You’ll still enjoy the comforting warmth and chewiness of oatmeal cookies and the added sweetness of white chocolate chips, but the vibrant, tangy flavor of the Craisins gives them a real kick.
2. White Chocolate Chip Craisin Muffins
Of course, if you prefer muffins to cookies, you might be more interested in this white chocolate chip and Craisin muffin recipe instead. You can whip up a dozen in just 30 minutes, and they’re wonderfully light and fluffy. The contrasting flavors of white chocolate and cranberry pair perfectly together, too. If you want my advice, go ahead and double the recipe because you’ll come back for more.
3. Crantastic Healthy Craisins® Dried Cranberries and Turkey Wrap
You don’t have to stick explicitly to sweet foods for these Craisins recipes. This savory turkey wrap features roasted turkey breast, cheddar, carrots, jicama, spinach, low-fat Ranch, and Craisins, all on a healthy whole grain wrap. It takes the traditional turkey “sandwich” and kicks it up a notch.
4. Cranberry Sauce from Dried Cranberries
Surprisingly enough, you can even make sweet, sticky cranberry sauce – yes, the wiggly, jiggly sauce we enjoy at Thanksgiving – from Craisins! All you’ll need is cranberry juice, sugar, orange zest and juice, a dash of salt, water, cornstarch, and, of course, Craisins. Making cranberry sauce this way is unbelievably simple, and it should take you less than half an hour.
5. Orange Glazed Dried Cranberry Loaf
This dense, filling loaf is insanely tangy and citrusy all the way through. From the sweetly tart orange glaze on top to the dried cranberries scattered throughout, it’s a real treat. You’ll use plenty of fall flavors – cinnamon, cloves, ginger, vanilla, etc. – that’ll help tame the tanginess a bit, and the crunchy walnuts also add an earthy nuttiness.
6. Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
These seven-ingredient cookies combine shortbread’s soft, buttery texture with the bold flavors of cranberries, oranges, and almonds. They look charming with the sparkling sugar coating and their splashes of red and orange. However, as good as they look, they taste even better.
7. Green Beans with Cranberries
If you’ve never added Craisins to green beans, you need to make this recipe for dinner tonight. It’s sooo fantastic. Along with some lemon juice, salt, olive oil, garlic, and soy sauce, the Craisins give the beans a sweet and savory flavor that’s almost Asian-inspired. It takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook this delicious side dish, and you can pair it with any protein you like.
8. Cranberry, Almond, and Walnut Oatmeal Mix
Start your day off right with this eight-ingredient, six-minute oatmeal. All you’ll need are oats, almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, Craisins, walnuts, and flaxseed. It’s a protein and fiber-packed breakfast option that combines the comforting flavor of cinnamon and brown sugar oatmeal and the “wake up!” tanginess of cranberries.
9. Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries & Pecans
If you’re looking for a new way to liven up your traditional Brussels sprouts dish this holiday season, give this recipe a try. Between the balsamic vinegar, parmesan, pecans, and cranberries, a lot is going on in this one dish. And don’t worry; even though those flavors are bold, they don’t mask the rich earthiness of the Brussels sprouts. Instead, they complement it for a total flavor explosion.
10. Lemon Couscous with Craisins and Chicken
Couscous is a popular side dish in my house because of its mild, unassuming flavor and because it’s super easy to fix. However, some people’s main complaint with couscous is that it’s too mild – almost bland. If that sounds like you, this couscous recipe should change your mind. You’ll add all kinds of colorful, bold ingredients, including lemon juice, butter, pistachios, onions, parsley, cinnamon, Craisins, and more. You won’t believe how bright and tasty this humble grain becomes.
11. Cabbage, Carrot, and Cranberry Salad
This crisp, fresh salad combines cabbage, colorful bell peppers, carrots, and Craisins with a light and zesty marinade of water, salt, sugar, vinegar, olive oil, and garlic. It’s a beautiful summer side dish for barbecue and other sunny meals.
12. Onion Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
You can’t have too many recipes for cheese balls if you ask me. And this one is the best of the best. It’s rich and creamy and provides the perfect balance of flavors. The pecans make the outside nutty and crunchy, and the inside is herby with a faint hint of tartness. Serve it with crackers, veggies, or even chips for a terrific appetizer.
13. Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans and Cranberries
This fiber-filled fall dish is low in calories and high in flavor. It’s unbelievably simple to pull together, too. All you’ll need is butternut squash, olive oil, salt, pepper, maple syrup, pecans, and Craisins. There’s a beautiful sweetness to the dish, and it complements the rich earthiness of the squash perfectly. If you need a new Thanksgiving side dish, this one is a great option.
14. Rotisserie Chicken Salad with Cranberries
Chicken salad is always a nice treat, whether you’re eating it on bread, bagels, or baked pita chips. Many people add grapes, apples, and even raisins to theirs to give it that little extra something. Of course, this recipe will add Craisins, making it chewy, fruity, and pleasantly tangy. It still tastes like traditional chicken salad, but the Craisins make it slightly tart.
15. Sweet Potato Salad with Cranberries and Pecans
With nothing more than a few pantry staples, you can have this potato salad on the table and ready to eat. It’s a simple, flavorful dish that doesn’t take a lot of work but does take a bit of time. You’ll start by baking the sweet potatoes. Then, you’ll mix everything and put it in the fridge to chill. It’s best served cold, so the longer you can leave it in the refrigerator, the better it will be – three hours is the minimum recommendation.
16. Massaged Kale and Craisin Salad with Feta Cheese
This 20-minute salad is a quick and healthy lunch option that’ll keep you full all day. For such a simple dish, it’s incredibly filling, and it has a wonderfully sweet and tangy taste. It’s also relatively low in calories and carbs, making it a good choice for those trying to lose weight.
17. Cranberry Apple Wild Rice Pilaf
If you like rice pilaf because of its mild flavor, this recipe may not be suitable for you because it’s anything but mild. It features the bold flavors of onions, garlic, thyme, apples, lemons, cranberries, and pecans for an herby, tangy, nutty flavor explosion that’s unlike anything you’ve ever tried. It’s vegan-friendly and gluten-free, and though it takes some time to make, it isn’t all that difficult. Have it as a side dish at dinner, or enjoy it as a filling lunch option.
18. Stuffed Acorn Squash
Stuffed acorn squash is a fun and colorful vegan dish. It may look restaurant-worthy, but it’s surprisingly effortless to make. It combines several fall flavors, including apples, squash, cranberries, walnuts, maple syrup, rosemary, and more. And despite how unique and complex it looks, it requires only 10 minutes of simple preparation.
19. Wild Rice and Cranberry Salad
This dish – or one very similar to it – was my first introduction to cold rice salads. And unless you’ve tried them for yourself, they’re pretty hard to describe. They’re fluffy and light, and they’re full of contrasting and complementary flavors that’ll delight your taste buds. This one doesn’t take too long to make, but the marinating time is three hours. In other words, please don’t wait until the last minute to whip it up.
20. Baked Brie Phyllo Cups with Craisins and Walnuts
If you’re looking for a sweetly tart treat that’s crispy, flavorful, and quick to make, give these baked Brie phyllo cups a try. With only five ingredients – light brie, Craisins, chopped nuts, honey, and phyllo shells – you can have them on the table in 15 minutes. Click on a star to rate it!
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