Delicious cranberry cooking ideas with step-by-step recipes

Preserving cranberries for the winter is a fun, yet no less labor-intensive endeavor. You'll end up with delicious cranberry dishes. Using the berries for preserves is especially helpful if you have a bountiful harvest of healthy and colorful cranberries at your garden.

Features of winter preparations from cranberries

Cranberries contain a large number of beneficial substances, including organic acids, sugars, glucosides, pectins, and a wealth of vitamins: C, PP, K, and B vitamins. This unique composition allows the berry to be used in therapeutic and dietary nutrition.

To ensure that berries retain their unique healing properties, prepare them correctly:

• Store berries in a cool, dry place for the winter. Spread them out in a thin layer, sorting them periodically to remove dried and wilted berries.
• Use the freezing method. It's especially suitable for berries that have been damaged by the first frost.
• Prepare cranberries without sugar. This method allows you to store the berries without refrigeration.
• Use different preserving methods: without sugar or with granulated sugar. With the former, you can make compote, jelly, fruit drink, or jam, and also prepare a delicious sauce.

Save these cranberry recipes for the winter. This way, you'll have a delicious addition to your family teatime. These preserves are ready to use, so you won't need to add any ingredients.

Classic preparation

Cranberries can be used to make the most common preserves: compotes, jams, and candied berries. Drying or freezing the berries is also recommended for use in winter cooking.

Freezing

Cranberries can be stored in the freezer and used during the winter as needed. To do this, you only need the berries you picked.

How to freeze fruits:

1. Carefully sort the cranberries, remove twigs, leaves and burst berries.
2. Place in a deep container, cover with cold water and rinse well, then drain all the liquid.
3. Place the cranberries on paper towels and let them drain to remove any excess moisture, or drain in a colander.
4. Place the dried berries in a plastic bag, squeeze out the air, and seal. Freeze for storage.

Drying

There are various ways to dry cranberries: in the air, in the oven, in an electric dehydrator, even in a microwave oven and dehydrator.

Electric dryer

Drying berries in an electric dehydrator is quite simple. First, wash and clean the berries, then dry them. Place the cranberries on the appliance's trays and place them in the dehydrator.

Dry at a temperature no higher than 55 degrees Celsius for 40 hours. Rotate the trays during drying, as the berries dry faster on the bottom.

Oven

To dry the berries in the oven, preheat it to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). First, scald the berries with boiling water, then dry them and spread them on a baking sheet. Once the cranberries are slightly wilted, increase the temperature to 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit) and dry for 7 hours.

During drying, periodically open the oven door and turn the baking sheet over to improve air circulation and speed up the drying process.

Microwave

To make dried cranberries, use a microwave. Place the cranberries between two layers of cotton cloth and place them on a plate.

Place the container in the microwave and microwave at 200W for 3 minutes, then stir and microwave for the same amount of time. Continue until the berries are completely dry.

Dehydrator

For preserving, use a dehydrator, as it dries the berries very thoroughly, ensuring a long shelf life. Place the processed berries on trays and set the temperature to 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit). Depending on the quantity of berries, dry them for 7 to 15 hours.

In the air

Cranberries dry very well in the open air, but this method takes longer than other methods. The advantage is that all the nutrients are preserved.

Before blanching, be sure to briefly heat the berries in boiling water. Then, arrange the berries on trays or baking sheets. Line the containers with parchment paper or foil first. Place them in a dark, well-ventilated area. Stir the berries occasionally.

Jam

The recipe calls for sprinkling washed cranberries with sugar and then leaving them to dry over the winter. The preparation time is minimal, but the end result is delicious jam.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 1.2 kg.
• Sugar – 900 g.

Preparation:

1. Sort the berries, discarding any spoiled ones. Rinse thoroughly under running water and place in a colander to drain excess liquid.
   
2. Take a saucepan with a thick bottom, pour in the berries, and sprinkle with sugar.
   
3. Leave at room temperature for 24 hours to allow the fruit to release juice.
   
4. Place the pan with the cranberries on the stove and bring to a boil. Add cinnamon or cloves for added flavor, if desired.
   
5. Reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes. Skim off any foam. Then turn off the heat and let cool completely.
   
6. You can pour it into jars while it's hot, but it will turn out runny.
   

Cranberry puree with sugar

This delicious dish is made with cranberries and granulated sugar. It's made with a minimum of ingredients and requires little preparation time.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 500 g.
• Sugar – 500 g.

Preparation:

1. Sort the fruit, remove any spoiled ones, and rinse thoroughly. Place in a colander to drain excess liquid.
2. Place in a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Add sugar and mix thoroughly.
4. Rinse the jars with baking soda and sterilize them using any convenient method. Place the cranberries, mashed with sugar, in the jars.

Compote

Kompot is a favorite winter treat. You can serve it to guests, serve it on the holiday table, or simply enjoy it daily to reap the benefits.

Ingredients:

• Water – 3 l.
• Cranberries – 300 g.
• Sugar – 300 g.
• Citric acid – 1/3 tsp.

Preparation:

1. Sort the berries, remove any debris. Rinse under running water and let drain.
2. Rinse the jar with baking soda under hot water and sterilize. Boil the lid separately.
3. Place the berries on the bottom of a dry jar and cover them with sugar.
4. Add citric acid.
5. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil and carefully pour it over the berries and sugar. First, fill the jar 1/4 full and cover with a lid. After 20 seconds, pour boiling water halfway up the jar and cover again. Then fill the jar to the shoulders and seal.
6. Turn the jar upside down and wrap it in a warm blanket. Leave it until it cools completely.

Interesting ideas for harvesting cranberries

Cranberries can be used to make a variety of interesting winter preserves, allowing you to indulge in healthy and delicious dishes during the cold season. Recipes for those with a sweet tooth are especially popular.

Harvesting cranberry juice

Cranberry juice is definitely something you won't want to miss until next season, as it's so delicious and healthy that you won't be able to resist.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 3 kg.
• Water – 600 ml.

Preparation:

1. Pass the peeled and washed berries through a meat grinder.
2. Place on heat and bring to 70 degrees.
3. Pour in water and heat for another 5 minutes, bringing to a boil.
4. Rub the mixture through a sieve, separate the pulp, then put it on the fire and bring to a boil, then boil for 5 minutes.
5. Pour the juice into pre-sterilized jars and seal with lids.
6. Place the jars upside down and leave until completely cool.

Jam

Jam is a favorite treat for both children and adults. It's fairly easy to prepare and doesn't take much time.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 1 kg.
• Water – 200 ml.
• Sugar – 1.5 kg.

Preparation:

1. Sort the berries, remove any damaged or rotten ones, and discard any debris. Rinse thoroughly under running water and drain in a colander.
2. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth.
3. Place the cranberry puree in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and add water.
4. Place on heat, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
5. Add sugar, stir, and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook for another 15 minutes, skimming off any foam that forms periodically.
6. Turn off the jam and let it cool completely.
7. Rinse and sterilize the jars. Then spread the cooled mixture out.

Berry pastila

Pastila is quick to prepare and keeps for a long time. This delicious treat will delight you whenever you're craving something tasty.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 1 kg.
• Sugar – 1 kg.
• Water – 200 ml.

Preparation:

1. Sort and wash the berries.
2. Place in a saucepan and add water, cook until completely softened.
3. Rub the resulting mass through a sieve.
4. Mix the puree with sugar and cook until it reaches the consistency of thick sour cream.
5. Place the resulting mixture on baking sheets lined with parchment paper and spread into a thin layer of about 3 mm.
6. Place in an oven preheated to 70 degrees Celsius for several hours. Leave the oven door slightly ajar.

Cranberries with honey

Slightly tart cranberries pair perfectly with honey, so be sure to try this preparation.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 300 g.
• Flower honey – 100 g.

Preparation:

1. Sort the berries: remove any split berries and any debris. Transfer to a colander and rinse under running water.
2. Transfer the fruit to a paper towel and pat dry to remove excess moisture.
3. Place the cranberries in a blender and puree. You can use a potato masher if you prefer. The result should be a smooth, chunky mixture.
4. Transfer the berry puree to a container and add honey. Mix thoroughly.
5. Rinse the jars under hot water and sterilize. Lay out the mixture and seal with lids.

Marmalade

Cranberry marmalade will be a true delight for those with a true sweet tooth. Made with natural ingredients, it's delicious and effortless to prepare.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 500 g.
• Sugar – 375 g.
• Water – 110 ml.
• Gelatin – 25 g.

Preparation:

1. Pre-rinse the cranberries under running water.
2. Place the berries in a saucepan and add 50 ml of water. Place on the stove and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. In a small container, dissolve gelatin in 60 ml of water, stir and set aside.
4. While the gelatin is swelling, grind the finished fruits in a blender, then rub through a sieve.
5. Add sugar to the resulting mixture and mix well.
6. Place the pan on the stove and simmer for another 15-20 minutes over low heat. After a while, add the gelatin and dissolve it, stirring constantly.
7. Cool slightly, line the pan with parchment paper and pour the mixture into it.
8. Place in the refrigerator for 6 hours.

Cranberry sauce

Cranberry sauce is considered a delicious addition to a variety of dishes. It's renowned for its delicate aroma and rich flavor.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 250 g.
• Sugar – 100 g.
• Freshly squeezed orange juice – 150 ml.
• Salt, ground black pepper – to taste.
• Cinnamon – 1 pc.

Preparation:

1. Carefully sort the berries, removing any rotten fruit or debris. Rinse under running water and drain in a colander.
2. Place the cranberries in a saucepan and cover with sugar.
3. Place on heat and cook until sugar is completely dissolved.
4. Pour in the orange juice, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and add a cinnamon stick or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, salt, and ground black pepper. Simmer for half an hour over low heat.
5. Wash and sterilize the jars in your preferred manner.
6. Once the berries' skins have burst and the mixture has completely softened, pour into jars and seal tightly with lids. Leave at room temperature until completely cool, then store in the refrigerator or cellar.

You can also watch a video on how to make cranberry sauce:

Cranberry wine

Cranberries themselves contain little sugar, so you'll need to replenish it when making the wine. You'll get 2-3 liters of wine with an ABV of 10-12%.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 2 kg.
• Sugar – 2 kg.
• Water – 2 l.

Preparation:

1. Sort out the cranberries and remove any debris.
2. Place the berries in the freezer for a few hours.
3. Do not wash the berries, but crush them to a puree consistency using a blender or wooden mortar.
4. Place in a saucepan, cover with water, and sprinkle with 200g of sugar. Place in a warm place to ferment and cover with cheesecloth.
5. Shake several times a day for the first two days. After that, stir only once a day. Wait until a thick foam forms. This usually happens on the 4th or 5th day.
   
6. Strain the mixture and pour it into a narrow-necked bottle. Install a water seal; a medical glove will do.
7. Place the container in a dark place with a temperature of 22-24 degrees Celsius. Remove the glove after 4 days and add 800 g of sugar. After 3 days, repeat the process, but first powder the remaining sugar and pour it into the bottle.
8. You'll know the drink is ready when the glove falls off and sediment appears. On average, the process takes 45 days.
9. Drain the sediment from the wine and let it age for 3-6 months.

Cranberry liqueur

This is a very old and popular recipe dating back to the Great Patriotic War. The drink is strong, aromatic, and renowned for its slight tartness.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 300 g.
• Vodka – 250 ml.
• Sugar – 30 g.
• Lemon - half.

Preparation:

1. Sort the berries, wash and puree.
2. Mix vodka and lemon juice, add sugar.
3. Combine with berry puree and stir.

Morse

Cranberry juice is a fresh, aromatic, and rich drink that will impress you and your guests. It's very easy to make.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 500 g.
• Water – 2 l.
• Honey – 40 g.

Preparation:

1. Rinse the berries under running water.
2. Place on paper towels and pat dry, then place in a saucepan and mash.
3. Squeeze the resulting juice through two layers of cheesecloth, pour into a jar and put in the refrigerator.
4. Place the remaining fruit in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for another 3-4 minutes. Strain the resulting infusion through cheesecloth and pour into a jar.
5. When the mixture has cooled to 50 degrees, add honey and mix thoroughly.
6. Pour in the juice from the refrigerator, mix well again, and pour into pre-sterilized jars. Screw the lids tightly.

Cranberry preparations with additives

Cranberries can be added to ice cream and sorbet. They pair beautifully with orange.

Ice cream

Making cranberry ice cream takes very little time and effort, but the results will delight you.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 300 g.
• Sugar – 210 g.
• Milk – 130 ml.
• Egg yolk – 3 pcs.
• Vanillin - a pinch.
• Cream – 300 ml.

Preparation:

1. Place the egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl. Beat thoroughly and then add the milk.
2. Beat with a mixer for 30 seconds until smooth and homogeneous.
3. Place the resulting mixture in a double boiler and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. The mixture should thicken. Allow it to cool completely.
4. Sort out fresh cranberries, wash and dry, then chop in a blender and rub through a sieve.
5. Combine the berry mixture with the resulting puree and mix until smooth.
6. Whip the cream and fold it into the custard mixture. Whisk until smooth.
7. Transfer to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze. Remove and stir every half hour.

Sorbet

Sorbet is an equally delicious treat, similar in taste to ice cream but with distinctive notes. You'll be delighted by its rich flavor and pleasant aroma.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 150 g.
• Sugar – 110 g.
• Water – 100 ml.

Preparation:

1. Cover the washed cranberries with water and boil for 10 minutes.
   
2. After the berries have cooled completely, grind them with a blender and pour the mixture into a mold.
   
3. Place in the freezer. Stir several times as it sets.
   

Cranberry with orange

The combination of cranberry and orange adds a piquant and unusual flavor. Make this jam, and you won't be disappointed.

Ingredients:

• Cranberries – 400 g.
• Sugar – 100 g.
• Orange – 1 pc.

Preparation:

1. Sort the berries and remove any spoiled fruit, twigs, leaves, and debris. Rinse thoroughly under running water and place on a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
2. Scald the orange with boiling water and grate the zest. Peel and separate the orange into segments, remove the seeds and cut into small pieces, then puree the orange and zest in a blender.
3. Combine the orange mixture with the cranberries and sprinkle with sugar. Blend for a few minutes.
4. Wash and sterilize the jars and lids. Pour the mixture into the containers and seal tightly.

Other options

Cranberry can be used to make more than just jam, preserves, and compote. Good homemakers have many more recipes. Below are the most popular.

Cranberry pie

This nut-crusted pie with cranberries is delicious and aromatic. Treat yourself to this pastry with your tea.

Ingredients:

• Butter – 200 g.
• Powdered sugar – 150 g.
• Flour – 300 g.
• Salt - a pinch.
• Eggs – 2 pcs.
• Walnuts – 150 g.
• Cranberries – 400 g.
• Sugar – 150 g.

Watch the video and make this cranberry pie today:

Cranberry cookies

The shortbread cookies are tender and crumbly, with bright orange notes and dried cranberries.

Ingredients:

• Butter – 150 g.
• Sugar – 70 g.
• Vanilla sugar – 1 tsp.
• Flour – 180 g.
• Orange zest – 1 pc.
• Dried cranberries – 80 g.
• Chopped nuts – 50-80 g.

The following video shows how to make cranberry cookies:

Cabbage with cranberries

Not many people know, but cranberries are added to sauerkraut to give it a richer flavor and crunch. This is especially beneficial for those on a diet.

Ingredients:

• Cabbage – 1 kg.
• Cranberries – optional.
• Salt – 20 g.

You can watch the video below to learn how to cook cabbage with cranberries:

Cranberries are used in a wide variety of dishes, including healthy winter preserves. From a wide variety of recipes, you can choose the one that best suits your needs and make compote, fruit drink, marmalade, or a light wine drink from the berries.

Frequently Asked Questions