Cozy Apple Cranberry Harvest Bake Recipe: Fall’s Sweetest Treat

Autumn’s apple cranberry harvest bake redefines seasonal bounty into a delightful culinary experience that captures the essence of crisp, golden afternoons.

Warm spices and sweet-tart flavors dance together, creating a comforting dish that feels like a warm embrace from nature.

Rustic and hearty, this recipe celebrates the rich tapestry of fall’s most beloved ingredients.

Vibrant red cranberries bring a tangy punch to the soft, caramelized apple slices nestled beneath a golden, crumbly topping.

Subtle hints of cinnamon and nutmeg weave through each bite, evoking memories of family gatherings and cozy kitchen moments.

The balance between sweet and tart makes this dish a true testament to seasonal cooking.

The aroma alone will transport you to a sunlit orchard, promising a sensory journey that delights the palate.

Apple Cranberry Bake Ingredient List

Main Ingredients:

Bread: – Bread Cubes: Crusty bread that provides the hearty base and absorbs all the delicious flavors of the dish.

• Onion, Celery: Classic aromatic vegetables that build a deep, savory foundation for the stuffing.
• Garlic: Adds a robust, pungent flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.

• Sage, Thyme, Rosemary: Fragrant herbs that bring traditional harvest warmth and earthy depth to the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall flavor.

• Eggs: Act as a binding agent to hold the stuffing together and provide richness.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and intensifies the savory characteristics of the dish.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps sauté vegetables with a golden, flavorful touch.

• Apples, Dried Cranberries: Sweet and tart fruits that add brightness and seasonal character.
• Nuts (Optional): Introduces a pleasant crunch and nutty complexity to the stuffing.

How to Make Apple Cranberry Bake

Step 1: Prepare Bread Cubes

Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly dry. Bump up the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) after removing the bread.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Diced onion
• Diced celery

• Sage
• Thyme
• Rosemary

Stir for 1 minute, then set aside.

Step 3: Combine Harvest Ingredients

• Toasted bread cubes
• Sautéed vegetable mixture
• Diced apples
• Dried cranberries

Step 4: Create Liquid Binding

In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 of broth with beaten eggs. Gently pour the mixture over the bread mixture, ensuring even coverage.

Step 5: Season and Bake

Season with salt and pepper. Optional: Add chopped nuts. Transfer to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes until the top turns golden brown and crispy.

Apple Cranberry Bake Quick Look

• Elevate Harvest Comfort: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a warm, inviting dish that captures the essence of autumn's bounty with its rich blend of apples, cranberries, and aromatic herbs.
• Layer Flavor Complexity: The strategic sautéing of vegetables and herbs creates depth, while toasting bread cubes adds a nutty crunch that elevates the entire texture and taste profile of the dish.
• Quick and Accessible Cooking: With straightforward steps and minimal technical skills required, home cooks can easily assemble this delightful harvest bake in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings.
• Versatile Celebration Dish: Whether served as a stunning side for holiday meals or enjoyed as a comforting standalone casserole, this recipe adapts beautifully to various occasions and dietary preferences.

Apple Cranberry Bake Smart Tips

• Toast Bread Carefully: Ensure bread cubes are evenly dried without burning by stirring frequently during toasting, creating the perfect texture for absorbing flavors.
• Layer Herbs Strategically: Sauté herbs briefly to release their essential oils, maximizing the aromatic profile of the harvest bake without overwhelming other ingredients.
• Balance Moisture Perfectly: Add broth gradually and mix gently to prevent soggy stuffing, allowing bread to absorb liquid while maintaining a light, fluffy consistency.
• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select crisp apples and plump cranberries at peak ripeness to enhance the dish's natural sweetness and complex flavor profile.
• Customize Your Crunch: Experiment with different nuts like pecans or walnuts to add texture and depth, creating a personalized harvest bake that suits your taste preferences.

Storing Apple Cranberry Bake Made Easy

• Refrigeration: Store the Apple Cranberry Harvest Bake in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to prevent moisture loss.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, covering with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the bake in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.

What Goes with Apple Cranberry Bake

• Savor Seasonal Wine Pairing: Match this harvest bake with a crisp Riesling or Pinot Noir, whose fruity notes complement the apple and cranberry sweetness while balancing the savory herb undertones.
• Craft an Apple Cider Companion: Serve warm spiced apple cider alongside the dish, echoing the apple flavors and providing a cozy autumn beverage that enhances the bake's rustic charm.
• Create Protein Perfection: Pair with roasted turkey breast or herb-crusted chicken to amplify the herb profile and provide a protein-rich complement to the bread-based side dish.
• Design a Fresh Salad Partner: Add a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the bake, introducing a fresh, bright contrast to the warm, hearty recipe.

Apple Cranberry Bake Variations

• Gluten-Free Harvest Comfort: Replace bread cubes with gluten-free cornbread or rice bread, maintaining the same toasting and preparation method for a celiac-friendly version.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap sage, thyme, and rosemary with oregano, basil, and parsley, and add crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired transformation.
• Spicy Southwestern Crunch: Incorporate diced jalapeños, replace dried cranberries with roasted corn, and add cilantro and cumin for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Protein Boost: Substitute broth with vegetable stock and mix in cooked quinoa or diced tofu to create a protein-rich vegetarian alternative that maintains the original recipe's hearty texture.

Apple Cranberry Harvest Bake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comforting Apple Cranberry Harvest Bake brings rustic warmth from classic American orchards. Sweet-tart apples and crimson cranberries mingle beneath a golden crumble, inviting you to savor autumn’s most delicious embrace.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 loaf (about 1 pound or 450 grams) day-old sourdough or whole grain bread, cubed
• 2 large Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples, diced
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) dried cranberries

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) fresh sage, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped

Liquid and Binding Ingredients:

• ½ cup (1 stick or 113 grams) unsalted butter
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Crisp the bread cubes by spreading them on a baking sheet and toasting at 300°F (150°C) for approximately 15 minutes, gently stirring periodically to ensure even drying. Elevate the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) after removing the bread.
2. Create a flavor foundation by melting butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Introduce diced onions and celery, sautéing until they become translucent and tender. Infuse the mixture with minced garlic, allowing its aroma to bloom, then incorporate sage, thyme, and rosemary for an additional minute to enhance the aromatic profile.
3. Assemble the harvest medley by combining the toasted bread cubes, fragrant vegetable mixture, crisp diced apples, and tangy dried cranberries in a spacious mixing bowl.
4. Prepare the moisture base by whisking eggs and 1 of broth in a separate container. Gently cascade this liquid over the bread mixture, ensuring each cube absorbs the flavorful essence evenly.
5. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Optionally, incorporate chopped nuts for added texture and depth.
6. Transfer the fully integrated mixture to a generously greased 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish, creating an even layer.
7. Bake in the preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 40-45 minutes, monitoring until the surface achieves a golden-brown crispness and the interior reaches a tender, cohesive consistency.

Notes

• Perfectly toasting bread cubes creates a crispy, textured base that absorbs flavors beautifully without becoming soggy.
• Sautéing vegetables with herbs before mixing releases deep, rich aromatics that infuse the entire dish with sophisticated flavor layers.
• Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and structure in this harvest-inspired bake.
• Gently moistening bread with egg and broth ensures a tender, custard-like interior while maintaining a delightfully crisp golden top.
• Optional nuts like pecans or walnuts can add delightful crunch and complement the soft, savory texture of the stuffing.
• Prepare this dish ahead and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to meld and deepen for an even more delicious result.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 298 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 385 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.4 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 68 mg