Print

Cranberry Orange Cobbler Recipe

4.6 from 55 reviews

This Cranberry Orange Cobbler is a delightful, vibrant dessert perfect for the holiday season or any time you crave a sweet and tangy treat. Loaded with fresh cranberries infused with orange zest and juice, and topped with a buttery, crumbly topping, this cobbler balances tart and sweet flavors beautifully. The cobbler is baked until golden and bubbly, making it a comforting and crowd-pleasing dessert to enjoy warm, especially when paired with vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Filling

  • 12 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed (about 312 oz bags)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • Zest from 2 oranges
  • Juice from 2 oranges, plus ¼ cup pulp (if desired)
  • 2 tsp cornstarch

For the Topping

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 stick butter, cut into small pieces (½ cup)
  • ⅓ cup boiling water

Additional Topping (Optional)

  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray an oval 3-quart or 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the filling: Rinse the cranberries thoroughly and place them into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle both the white and brown sugars, orange zest, orange juice, and cornstarch over the cranberries. Stir gently to combine and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, allowing the cranberries to absorb the flavors and the cornstarch to thicken the juices.
  3. Transfer the filling: Pour the cranberry mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  4. Make the topping: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it becomes crumbly and pea-sized clumps form.
  5. Add boiling water: Pour the boiling water into the flour and butter mixture, stirring until a sticky dough forms.
  6. Top the filling: Spoon the topping over the cranberries, spreading gently to cover the fruit evenly.
  7. Apply optional cinnamon sugar: In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar, then sprinkle this over the top of the cobbler for extra flavor and a hint of spice.
  8. Bake the cobbler: Place the dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is fully cooked and begins to turn golden brown.
  9. Cool and serve: Remove the cobbler from the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes to thicken slightly. Serve warm, ideally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a perfect finish.
  10. Enjoy: Dive into this cozy, sweet-tart cobbler that’s sure to delight everyone at your table.

Notes

  • You can adjust the sugar to taste if you prefer a less sweet or more tart cobbler.
  • The orange pulp is optional but adds extra texture and flavor if included.
  • Use fresh cranberries for best texture; frozen cranberries may result in a runnier filling.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.

Keywords: cranberry cobbler, cranberry dessert, orange cranberry cobbler, holiday desserts, baked fruit dessert