This old-fashioned cranberry cobbler is easy to make and is always a hit when hosting. It's a simple recipe that looks and tastes impressive every time.
This easy cobbler recipe has a slightly cakey texture with crisp, salty edges from the melted butter. It's topped with tart and tangy sugared cranberries - and you can use fresh or frozen cranberries.
Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream for a top-notch, effortless dessert for Thanksgiving, Christmas or holiday parties!
This classic cranberry cobbler is quick and easy to whip up during fall and winter. Fresh or frozen cranberries work wonderfully in this recipe. I prefer frozen cranberries so I don't have to worry about the shelf-life.
Pro tip: Pick up a bag of frozen cranberries from your local grocery store to always have some in the freezer ready for baking!
This post will give you all the tips and tricks on how to make a traditional cranberry cobbler from scratch.
Featured 5-star reviews:
Want to know what other people thought of this recipe? Check out these 5-star reviews left by our readers:
- "I made your pear cobbler last year and had to try this new version with cranberries!! I used frozen like you recommended and it turned out wonderful. I'm adding this to my Thanksgiving dessert table as an option for people who don't want pie." - Jamie
This cobbler recipe is based on a family recipe that I adapted to this pear cobbler. This version is made with fresh or canned pear slices and is another go-to holiday dessert for the colder months when pears are in season.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Classic dessert everyone will love. A smooth cake-like batter is poured over melted butter and topped with fresh, canned or frozen fruit.
- Sweet, tangy bites of cranberry. Cranberry is a classic holiday flavor that is bright and refreshing.
- Quick assembly. Once you mix the batter, there is nothing else to stir together to assemble the cobbler. Opt for canned peaches to save even more time!
- Old-fashioned recipe. This easy cranberry cobbler comes from an adapted family recipe. It's simple to make from scratch and uses only a few ingredients.
- A light dessert that is not overly sweet. I enjoy most of my desserts on the less sugary side. This recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
Ingredients
- Butter
- Granulated or white sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Cranberries, fresh or frozen
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions
Need to make a substitution or missing an ingredient? Here are some ways you can alter this recipe to fit your unique dietary needs.
- Dairy-free or vegan? Use a high-quality, plant-based stick butter and non-dairy milk. I have not tested this recipe with these substitutions.
- Gluten-free? I have not tested this recipe with other flour. I recommend using a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour if you try to make this recipe gluten-free. Leave a comment and let me know how this goes!
Variations
Here are a few ideas for customizing this recipe and making different flavor variations:
- Add some extra zing with a bit of lemon or orange zest! Orange zest will compliment the cranberry flavor and make this holiday dessert even more special.
- Brown the butter for extra depth and a hint of nuttiness to elevate this cobbler’s rich flavor even more.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like mint or rosemary to elevate the presentation before serving.
- Incorporate warming spices like cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg to enhance the cozy holiday flavors.
- Pair a slice of fresh cobbler with a hot cup of tea or coffee for a comforting afternoon snack.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
How To Make Cranberry Cobbler
Step 1: Mix dry ingredients.
Step 2: Add milk to dry ingredients and whisk to combine. The batter will be thin.
Step 3: Wash and dry fresh cranberries or thaw and rinse frozen cranberries. Toss with granulated sugar.
Step 4: Toss prepared cranberries with granulated sugar to coat fully.
Step 5: Preheat the oven. Add butter to a baking dish and place in the oven to melt.
Step 6: Remove the baking dish from the oven once the butter has melted.
Step 7: Pour batter on top of melted butter. Do not stir.
Step 8: Top with sugared cranberries. Do not stir. Bake according to the instructions on the recipe card.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- If using frozen cranberries, partially thaw, rinse and strain before using for the best results.
- A 9" round pie dish, a 9x9" square pan, an 11x7" rectangular dish, or a 10" cast iron skillet all work great for this recipe.
- The batter will naturally be thin. If it appears too runny, simply stir in a tablespoon or two of flour. I’ve made this adjustment myself after adding in too much milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about this recipe? Here are some additional tips and commonly asked questions:
Storing homemade cobblers in the fridge will lengthen their shelf life. I recommend refrigerating this cobbler for the best results, especially if you make it a day before your event.
Cranberry cobbler bakes at 350°F for 45-60 minutes. Baking times vary by baking dish and oven. Look out for dark brown, crispy edges and a golden top as a sign it’s ready.
Homemade cranberry cobbler lasts 1 to 2 days at room temperature and up to 5 days in the fridge. Cobblers, muffins, and most homemade baked goods will start to get moldy after a few days at room temperature. Refrigeration is recommended to make your dessert last a bit longer.
Equipment
You will need a baking dish of your choice (see my "Expert Tips & Tricks" section for recommended baking dish sizes) along with a mixing bowl, whisk, dry and liquid measuring cups, and measuring spoons.
Storage
Room Temperature
Store cooled and covered cranberry cobbler at room temperature for up to 1 or 2 days.
Refrigerator Instructions
Store cooled and covered cobbler in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Recipe
Easy Cranberry Cobbler Recipe
This quick and easy cobbler recipe has a slightly cakey texture with crisp, salty edges from the melted butter. It's topped with tart and tangy sugared cranberries - and you can use fresh or frozen cranberries.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45-60
- Total Time: 60-75
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Cobbler, Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups of cranberries, partially thawed if frozen
- 3 tablespoons granulated white sugar, for cranberries
- ⅓ cup salted butter
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ¾ cup of all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- ¾ cup milk of choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Rinse cranberries and let them partially thaw if using frozen.
- In a mixing bowl, mix the dry ingredients including ½ cup sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour in the milk and whisk to combine until smooth. The batter will have a thin consistency.
- Add butter to the baking dish or cast iron skillet and place in the oven to melt. Once melted, remove the baking dish. Pour the batter over the butter. Do not stir.
- Toss cranberries with 3 tablespoons granulated sugar until fully coated. Top the batter with sugared cranberries. Do not stir.
- Return the baking dish to the oven and bake the cobbler for 45-60 minutes at 350, or until the edges are crisp and dark golden brown and the top has a golden brown color.
- Allow the cobbler to cool in the baking dish for 10 minutes before enjoying. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
- Store at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
Did you try this simple cranberry cobbler? Leave a five ⭐️ review below and tag @bakedabundance on Instagram & Facebook!
Jamie
I made your pear cobbler last year and had to try this new version with cranberries!! I used frozen like you recommended and it turned out wonderful. I'm adding this to my Thanksgiving dessert table as an option for people who don't want pie.
Sharon R. Hann
This is delicious and so easy. I like the fact that it is not terribly sweet. Most cobbler recipes I have tried are too sweet. How might I adapt this one to other fruits?
Marley Braunlich
Yay! I agree with you Sharon. I don't love an overly sweet dessert. I have a pear and peach cobbler recipe on my website. Here are the links: https://bakedabundance.com/pear-cobbler/ and https://bakedabundance.com/peach-cobbler/