Name: Spiced Cranberry Cobbler Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries; 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar; ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar, packed; 2 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ½ tsp ground nutmeg; ¼ tsp ground cloves; ¼ tsp ground ginger; 1 tsp orange zest; ½ cup orange juice; 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour; 2 tbsp granulated sugar; 1½ tsp baking powder; ¼ tsp salt; ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed; ⅓ cup (80 ml) milk or heavy cream; 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Get ready to wow your friends and family this season with Spiced Cranberry Cobbler—a warm, comforting dessert bursting with tart cranberries, kissed with just the right mix of spices, and crowned with a golden, buttery biscuit topping. This cobbler is everything I crave when the temperature drops: tangy, sweet, deeply aromatic, and perfect for any holiday table. Whether you’re serving it up for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a wintry Sunday dinner, Spiced Cranberry Cobbler is sure to become your new tradition.

Spiced Cranberry Cobbler Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love most about Spiced Cranberry Cobbler is how each ingredient brings its own magic: color from the cranberries, sweetness from the sugars, warmth from the spices, all topped with a soft, indulgent biscuit crust. You probably already have most of what you need!

Fresh or frozen cranberries (4 cups): The tart, juicy heart of the cobbler—choose fresh for intense flavor, but frozen works beautifully too.
Granulated sugar (1 cup): Enhances the cranberries’ vibrant bite and balances their sharpness.
Brown sugar (¼ cup, packed): Adds a deeper sweetness and hint of molasses that boosts the holiday mood.
Cornstarch (2 tbsp): Thickens the fruit filling, helping everything stay luscious and spoonable without getting runny.
Ground cinnamon (1 tsp): Delivers that cozy, unmistakable warmth we all crave in fall and winter desserts.
Ground nutmeg (½ tsp): Offers subtle nuttiness and extra layers of spice.
Ground cloves (¼ tsp): Intensifies the aromatic depth—just a touch does wonders!
Ground ginger (¼ tsp): Brings a gentle, zippy heat and warmth.
Orange zest (1 tsp): Adds brightness and a hint of festive citrus on the finish.
Orange juice (½ cup): Creates a gorgeous sauce and softens the cranberries’ tart edges.
All-purpose flour (1 cup): The base of your biscuit topping—be sure to spoon and level for accurate measuring.
Granulated sugar (2 tbsp): Lightly sweetens the biscuit and helps create a tender crumb.
Baking powder (1½ tsp): Helps the topping puff up, turning golden and light as it bakes.
Salt (¼ tsp): Balances the sweetness and brings everything together.
Unsalted butter, cold and cubed (½ cup): Key for flakiness and rich flavor—work quickly so it stays cold.
Milk or heavy cream (⅓ cup): Adds moisture; cream yields a richer, softer biscuit.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Rounds out all the flavors with its dreamy aroma.

How to Make Spiced Cranberry Cobbler

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray—this will help prevent sticking and give you those perfect, easy-to-serve scoops of Spiced Cranberry Cobbler.

Step 2: Cook the Cranberry Filling

In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, both sugars, cornstarch, all the spices, orange zest, and orange juice. Set the pan over medium heat and stir as the cranberries soften and begin to burst. After 8–10 minutes, you’ll have a ruby-red filling that’s thickened and bubbling with deliciousness. Pour this mixture straight into your prepared dish—it should look and smell heavenly already!

Step 3: Mix the Cobbler Topping

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to work it in until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs (think: small pea-sized pieces of butter). Now pour in the milk (or cream) and vanilla, stirring just enough to bring the dough together—don’t overmix! You want a rustic, slightly shaggy dough here.

Step 4: Top the Filling

Drop spoonfuls of your biscuit dough over the spiced cranberry filling. It’s perfectly fine if it doesn’t cover everything; those little gaps let the beautiful red filling bubble up while baking, making each serving a celebration of color and flavor.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake your Spiced Cranberry Cobbler for 30–35 minutes or until the topping turns golden and crisp, and the fruit filling bubbles up temptingly around the edges. Let it cool for a few minutes once you pull it out; the filling will thicken up just right (and you’ll avoid burning your tongue)!

How to Serve Spiced Cranberry Cobbler

Garnishes

No one can resist Spiced Cranberry Cobbler served with a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream or a billow of softly whipped cream—the contrast of warm and cool makes it truly special. For an extra flourish, try sprinkling with a touch more orange zest or a dusting of cinnamon just before serving.

Side Dishes

This cobbler sings on its own, but if you’re crafting a full spread, pair it with simple sides like a light citrus salad or a cozy cup of tea. If you want to amplify the indulgence, a small glass of mulled wine or spiced cider is an inspired choice alongside a generous portion of Spiced Cranberry Cobbler.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party or buffet, scoop the warm Spiced Cranberry Cobbler into individual ramekins and top each with a dollop of cream. Alternatively, serve family-style in the center of the table, letting everyone scoop their own—the golden topping and vibrant filling are such a gorgeous showpiece. I even like to make mini cobblers in jars for edible holiday gifts!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover Spiced Cranberry Cobbler will keep beautifully in the refrigerator, covered, for up to three days. The flavors mellow and mingle a bit more as it sits, so sneaking the next-day slice with morning coffee is highly encouraged!

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, you can freeze Spiced Cranberry Cobbler either before or after baking. For an unbaked version, assemble as directed and cover well, then freeze for up to one month. If baked, let it cool, then wrap tightly and freeze. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

To rewarm, simply bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven, uncovered, for about 15 minutes or until heated through. For single servings, a quick zap in the microwave works just fine, though I always prefer the oven for a crispier topping.

FAQs

Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen?

For the signature juicy, tart, and saucy filling of Spiced Cranberry Cobbler, stick with fresh or frozen cranberries. Dried berries won’t create the same luscious texture, but in a pinch, you can rehydrate them in orange juice—just know the result will be much sweeter and a bit less saucy.

What’s the best way to make this cobbler gluten-free?

For a gluten-free twist, simply swap out the all-purpose flour in the topping with your favorite gluten-free flour blend (make sure it includes a binder like xanthan gum for best results). The rest of the recipe is naturally gluten-free, so the swap is straightforward!

Can I add other fruits to the filling?

Absolutely! Try replacing up to half the cranberries with chopped apples or pears for a milder, crowd-pleasing flavor. The fruit will gently soften while baking and mix with the spiced cranberries for a marvelously juicy and varied filling.

How do I keep the topping from getting soggy?

The best tip for keeping your cobbler topping beautifully crisp is to drop the biscuit dough in dollops, allowing steam to escape and some filling to bubble up. Serving shortly after baking is also key, as letting it sit covered for long periods can cause the topping to soften.

Can Spiced Cranberry Cobbler be made vegan?

Very easily! Substitute vegan butter for the unsalted butter and use a non-dairy milk or cream in the topping. Double-check that your sugar is vegan if needed, and you’ll have a gorgeous, plant-based winter dessert to share.

Final Thoughts

There’s truly nothing like pulling a bubbling Spiced Cranberry Cobbler from the oven and sharing it with the people you love. The fizz of tart cranberries, silky spiced syrup, and that golden biscuit lid—this is the spirit of holiday comfort in every spoonful. Give it a try this season and watch it become a favorite at your table, too!