When it comes to the versatile and healthful fruit, cranberries, there are many ways to enjoy them. From using them in smoothies and salads to baking with them, cranberries are sure to find their way into your daily life. And if you’re looking for even more ways to incorporate cranberries into your diet, we’ve got you covered. From savory to sweet, these five cool ways to eat cranberries will have you wanting more! And for more fresh and healthy recipes that will make you want to eat cranberries daily, be sure to contact your local cranberry extract supplier for best-in-class products.

1) Cranberry Ice

You don’t need a holiday to enjoy the tart taste of cranberries. Freeze them into ice cubes and use them as a unique accent to your favorite cocktail or mocktail. This is a great way to jazz up a glass of sparkling water. Simply rinse and dry fresh cranberries, then put them in an ice cube tray and fill it with water. Pop it in the freezer until the cubes are solid, then add them to your glass of water or sparkling wine for a delicious twist on a classic drink.

2) Cranberry Baked Brie

If you’re throwing an impromptu get-together, this is your go-to appetizer. It’s simple but looks impressive and tastes even better! Just thaw frozen cranberries and mix them with a bit of sugar and orange zest, then bake over brie cheese in the oven until bubbly hot. Serve with bread or crackers and watch the compliments come rolling in. If you love cranberry flavor, try adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The cold complements everything perfectly.

3) The Saucy Standby

Forget what you know about canned cranberry sauce. It’s not just for your Thanksgiving turkey. This classic side is also a great way to jazz up your dinners all year long. It’s super-simple to make (just mix with sugar and water, heat and serve), but can also be gussied up with citrus zest, orange juice, cloves or cinnamon. Or try this twist

Mix whole-berry sauce with a little chopped apple and onion, then spread it on top of chicken or pork chops before baking.

4) Cranberries and Cookies

For a healthier dessert, try baking cranberry-oatmeal cookies. Just mix all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt with 2 eggs until well blended. Add in 2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries (chopped), along with cinnamon, vanilla extract and orange zest. If you want your cookies especially crispier (or want them to hold their shape better when sliced), add an extra 1/2 cup of oats after mixing everything together. If you like it spicy, consider adding chopped walnuts or pecans as well! Once everything is thoroughly mixed up, scoop dough onto a greased cookie sheet (about 1 tablespoon per cookie). Bake for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until lightly golden on top.

5) Cran-Apple Pie

Oh, you thought cranberry was just for savory dishes? Think again. You can add a bit of sweet tartness to your favorite apple pie recipe by swapping out raisins or nuts for dried cranberries. Try adding 1/4 cup of dried cranberries to an unbaked apple pie, as well as a dash of lemon juice and cinnamon and extra sugar. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the apples are soft, approximately 30 minutes (check after 25). Your house will smell amazing while it bakes! The cranberry flavor is subtle but adds just enough sweetness without overpowering anything else. Serve with vanilla ice cream on top for a real treat.

Conclusion

Cranberries are a unique and surprisingly versatile ingredient. From savory main dishes to sweet desserts, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t take a starring role on your table.