Fall’s Sweetest Apple Cranberry Harvest Bake Recipe

Autumn’s golden embrace brings a delightful apple cranberry harvest bake that dances with seasonal flavors and warmth.

Tart cranberries mingle with sweet apples, creating a symphony of comfort on your plate.

Rustic and inviting, this recipe captures the essence of crisp fall afternoons.

Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg weave through the dish, promising a nostalgic experience.

Each bite tells a story of countryside orchards and cozy kitchens.

Farmers’ markets inspire this wholesome dessert that celebrates nature’s bounty.

Grab your baking dish and let’s turn simple ingredients into a memorable autumn treat.

How to Make Apple Cranberry Harvest Bake

• Bread Foundation

Create a crisp base by toasting cubes until they reach a delightful golden texture in the oven.

• Vegetable Symphony

Sauté onions, celery, and garlic in a skillet, releasing their warm, rich aromatics and layering deep flavor profiles.

• Harvest Blend

Combine toasted bread with softened vegetables, sweet apple chunks, and tart cranberry bursts for a symphony of seasonal tastes.

• Liquid Magic

Gently drench the mixture with a silky blend of eggs and savory broth, allowing each bread cube to absorb the delicious essence.

• Golden Finale

Transfer the luscious medley to a baking dish and bake until the surface transforms into a crispy, golden landscape that signals culinary perfection.

Tips for Flavor in Apple Cranberry Bakes

• Swap out dried cranberries for chopped dried cherries or apricots to create a unique flavor profile that matches your holiday mood.
• Replace traditional bread cubes with gluten-free bread or cornbread to accommodate dietary restrictions without sacrificing taste and texture.
• Fold in cooked sausage, diced chicken, or crumbled bacon to transform this side dish into a hearty main course that satisfies hungry guests.
• Toast pecans, walnuts, or almonds before adding them to introduce a delightful crispy element and rich, deep nutty undertones that complement the sweet apples and herbs.
• Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and add roasted mushrooms or chestnuts to create a more substantial plant-based version that delivers incredible depth and complexity.

Serve Harvest Bake at Holiday Gatherings

• Serve with Festive Roast Companions: Pair this harvest bake alongside roasted turkey, succulent chicken, or glazed ham for a classic holiday meal that brings warmth to your dining table.
• Elevate with Fresh Garnishes: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top for a burst of color and added herbal freshness that complements the baked dish's rich flavors.
• Create Delightful Leftover Transformations: Reheat individual portions and top with a fried egg for a hearty breakfast, or crumble into a salad for a delicious lunch remix that wastes nothing.
• Craft Perfect Wine Pairings: Select a crisp white wine like Chardonnay or a light Pinot Noir to balance the savory herbs and sweet fruit notes in this comforting harvest bake.

Storage Advice for Apple Cranberry Harvest Bake

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover Apple Cranberry Harvest Bake in an airtight container within two hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 3 months. This makes meal prep super convenient for busy weekdays.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent excessive drying and maintain the delicious moisture.
• Portion and Pack: Divide leftovers into individual servings before storing. This strategy helps quick reheating and ensures you always have a delectable meal ready in minutes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 9

Apple Cranberry Harvest Bake Ingredients

• Bread Cubes: Opt for day-old crusty bread for superior texture and ability to absorb flavors without becoming mushy.
• Butter: Provides rich, velvety foundation and helps develop golden-brown edges during toasting.

• Onion, Celery: Creates a savory, deeply layered flavor profile with subtle earthy undertones.
• Garlic: Adds intense, pungent depth that elevates the entire dish's complexity.
• Sage, Thyme, Rosemary: Fresh herbs contribute vibrant, woodsy notes that complement autumn harvest ingredients.

• Eggs: Acts as natural binding agent, ensuring cohesive texture and providing protein-rich structure.
• Chicken Broth: Infuses moisture and enhances overall savoriness, preventing dry stuffing.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and amplify the dish's inherent flavors.

• Apples: Introduces crisp, sweet-tart dimension and classic harvest character.
• Dried Cranberries: Contributes bright, tangy bursts of flavor and beautiful ruby-red color.

• Nuts: Provides delightful crunch and nutty undertones, complementing the soft bread base.

Tools to Prep Apple Cranberry Harvest Bake

• Baking Sheet: Flat metal tray for toasting bread cubes evenly.
• Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing vegetables and herbs with precision.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining bread, vegetables, and fruits.
• Whisk: Perfect tool for blending eggs and broth smoothly.
• 9×13 Inch Baking Dish: Ideal rectangular pan for baking the harvest mixture.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for dicing onions, celery, and apples.
• Measuring Cups: Crucial for accurate liquid and ingredient proportions.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps mix ingredients gently and evenly.

Rustic Apple Cranberry Harvest Bake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Harvest-inspired apple cranberry bake celebrates autumn’s bounty with layers of sweet and tart flavors. Warm spices and crumbly topping complement seasonal fruits, inviting you to savor comforting homemade goodness.

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Ingredients

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• 1 loaf (about 1 lb or 450 g) day-old sourdough or whole grain bread, cubed
• 2 large Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples, diced
• 1 cup (240 ml) dried cranberries
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh sage, chopped
• 2 tbsps fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• ½ cup (1 stick or 113 g) unsalted butter
• 2 cups (480 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (120 ml) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

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Instructions

1. Bread Preparation: Distribute bread cubes on a baking sheet, toast at 300°F (150°C) for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Elevate oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) after toasting.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions and celery until translucent, then add garlic and herbs, allowing flavors to meld for one minute.
3. Harvest Composition: Combine toasted bread cubes, vegetable mixture, diced apples, dried cranberries, and chopped nuts in a large mixing bowl.
4. Moisture Integration: Whisk eggs with broth, then pour over the bread mixture, ensuring even saturation. Season with salt and pepper, gently folding to distribute ingredients uniformly.
5. Baking Finale: Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Roast in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until the surface turns golden-brown and the interior becomes set and cohesive.

Notes

• Bread Preparation Tip: Toast bread cubes at low temperature to prevent burning and ensure uniform crispness, creating a sturdy foundation for the harvest bake.
• Aromatic Layering Strategy: Sauté vegetables and herbs sequentially to develop deep, rich flavor complexity that infuses the entire dish with warmth.
• Moisture Distribution Technique: Pour liquid mixture slowly and evenly over bread cubes, allowing complete absorption for consistent texture throughout the bake.
• Textural Enhancement Option: Consider adding chopped nuts for unexpected crunch and nutty depth, elevating the overall sensory experience of the dish.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg