Zesty Crispy Apple Cranberry Delight Recipe for Fall Treats

Warm fall spices dance through this delightful crispy apple cranberry delight recipe that promises to tantalize your taste buds with every bite.

Sweet apples mingle with tart cranberries, creating a harmonious balance of flavors that sing of autumn’s bounty.

Crunchy streusel topping adds a golden, irresistible texture that makes this dessert truly special.

Baked to perfection, each spoonful delivers a comforting warmth that wraps you in cozy memories.

The combination of juicy fruits and buttery crumble transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary treat.

Grab your baking pan and whip up this crowd-pleasing dessert that’s sure to become a seasonal favorite.

One forkful, and you’ll understand why this recipe is pure delicious magic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 240 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients in Apple Cranberry Crunch

• Lettuce: Provides a crisp, refreshing foundation that adds volume and nutrition to the salad.
• Apples: Choose firm, sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala for a juicy crunch and vibrant flavor.
• Cranberries: Dried cranberries offer a tangy burst of sweetness and beautiful color contrast.
• Candied Pecans: Adds a delightful caramelized crunch and rich, nutty undertones to the salad.
• Blue Cheese Crumbles: Introduces a creamy, bold flavor that complements the sweet and tart elements.

• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the tartness and adds a smooth, silky texture.
• Olive Oil: Creates a smooth base and brings richness to the dressing.
• Cranberries: Provides a fruity, vibrant base with a gorgeous deep red color.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances and rounds out the overall flavor profile of the dressing.

• Salt: Brightens and intensifies the flavors of all ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and complexity to the salad's taste.

Tools to Prep Apple Cranberry Combinations

• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining salad ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping apples and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for precise dicing of apples and other components.
• Blender: Powerful tool for creating smooth, textured cranberry dressing.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Accurate measurements for dressing ingredients.
• Salad Tongs or Large Spoon: Perfect for tossing and serving the salad.

How to Bake Apple Cranberry Crunch Right

• Salad Foundation

Create a lush green landscape using crisp lettuce as your canvas, spreading it evenly across a spacious serving dish.

• Flavor Landscape

Sprinkle a delightful mix of ruby-red apple cubes, jewel-like cranberries, crunchy candied pecans, and creamy blue cheese crumbles across the lettuce bed, ensuring each bite promises a symphony of textures.

• Flavor Symphony

Combine all dressing ingredients in a blender, pulsing until the mixture transforms into a smooth yet slightly chunky elixir with hints of cranberry complexity. Adjust the sweetness by experimenting with honey levels.

• Final Touch

Taste the dressing and enhance with subtle salt and pepper notes. Gently cascade the dressing over the salad, carefully mixing to allow each ingredient to dance together. Serve promptly to capture the vibrant freshness and delightful crunch.

Tricks to Make Apple Cranberry Shine

• Replace traditional lettuce with baby spinach, arugula, or mixed spring greens to add different flavor profiles and nutritional variety.
• Enhance the salad by adding grilled chicken, seared salmon, or crumbled bacon for a more substantial meal that satisfies hunger.
• Prepare ingredients separately and store in airtight containers to keep everything crisp. Combine just before serving to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
• Easily transform the recipe into gluten-free or vegetarian versions by selecting alternative cheese and nut options that match specific dietary requirements.

Apple Cranberry: How to Serve It

• Elevate Your Salad Experience: Transform this crispy apple cranberry delight into a complete meal with these serving suggestions.
• Pair with Protein: Add grilled chicken, seared salmon, or sliced turkey breast to turn this salad into a hearty lunch or dinner option that satisfies hunger and provides extra nutrition.
• Create a Spectacular Spread: Arrange the salad on a large platter for a stunning centerpiece at brunches, potlucks, or family gatherings, allowing guests to serve themselves with ease and enjoy the vibrant colors.
• Wine and Dine Companion: Match this salad with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio, which complement the tangy cranberries and creamy blue cheese, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Save & Reheat Apple Cranberry the Easy Way

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the salad components separately in airtight containers to maintain maximum crispness. Keep lettuce, chopped apples, and candied pecans in different sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Dressing Storage Trick: Transfer the homemade cranberry vinaigrette to a glass jar with a tight lid. Refrigerate for 5-7 days, giving it a quick shake before each use to restore its vibrant flavor and smooth consistency.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss diced apples with a splash of lemon juice before storing to prevent oxidation and keep them looking fresh and appetizing. This simple step maintains their crisp white appearance and prevents discoloration.
• Assemble Just Before Serving: For the best texture and flavor, combine all salad ingredients right before eating. Mixing too early can make lettuce soggy and nuts lose their delightful crunch, ensuring each bite remains perfectly balanced and delicious.

Crunchy Apple Cranberry Jubilee Recipe

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4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Homemade crispy apple cranberry delight combines sweet and tart flavors for a delightful dessert experience. Crunchy textures and seasonal ingredients make this treat perfect for autumn gatherings when friends crave something special.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups butter lettuce, romaine or your favorite greens
• 1.25 cups orange-flavored dried cranberries (alternative: regular dried cranberries)
• 1 cup diced honeycrisp apples (about 1 medium apple; substitutes: Fuji, Gala, Braeburn)
• 0.75 cup candied Fisher pecans
• 0.75 cup blue cheese crumbles (alternatives: gorgonzola or feta cheese)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
• 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 to 4 tbsps (29.57 to 59.14 ml) honey
• 2 to 4 tbsps (29.57 to 59.14 ml) olive oil

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Instructions

1. Platter Preparation: Create a lush green foundation by layering crisp lettuce across a wide serving dish, ensuring complete coverage and visual appeal.
2. Fruit Composition: Strategically distribute diced apples and vibrant cranberries across the lettuce, creating a colorful mosaic of textures and flavors.
3. Nutty Enhancement: Sprinkle caramelized pecans and crumble blue cheese over the surface, introducing rich, complex flavor dimensions and crunchy contrast.
4. Dressing Creation: Blend honey, seasonings, and remaining liquid ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth and well-integrated, adjusting sweetness and seasoning to taste.
5. Final Assembly: Drizzle the prepared dressing delicately over the salad, gently tossing to ensure even coating without compromising the structural integrity of the ingredients.
6. Serving Presentation: Plate the salad immediately, showcasing the vibrant colors and diverse textures, maintaining the optimal temperature and freshness of each component.

Notes

• Lettuce Layering Technique: Create a solid base with lettuce spread evenly to provide a crisp, fresh foundation that supports other ingredients.
• Apple Precision Matters: Dice apples uniformly to ensure consistent texture and prevent browning by cutting just before serving.
• Pecan Caramelization Secret: Toast pecans carefully to enhance their nutty flavor and create a crunchy caramelized exterior without burning.
• Dressing Balance Tip: Adjust honey and seasoning gradually, tasting as you blend to achieve a perfect sweet-tangy harmony that complements the salad’s ingredients.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 240
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg