Fudgy Cranberry Brownies
These Cranberry Brownies are made with dark chocolate, fresh and dried cranberries, and dark chocolate covered cranberries! If you love the tangy flavor of cranberries, you’ll love this unique brownie recipe.
How do you feel about cranberries? I know for some, it’s not a great relationship, but then there’s the folks who can’t have Thanksgiving without a few big spoonful of cranberry sauce on the plate (I’m looking at you, Pop Pop!).
I’m sort of in between. I don’t love cranberry sauce on my Thanksgiving dinner, but I absolutely love cranberries in baked goods! There’s something about the super tart bite of cranberries and the way it plays with sweet flavors…it’s irresistible as a baker, and especially as someone that loves to put contrasting flavors together.
Last year, I made a couple treats that inspired me to keep baking with cranberries, and led to these scrumptious cranberry brownies. The first was this Cranberry Brie Tart with Pancetta & Thyme. It’s gooey and cheesy and the cranberries fit in so nicely and brighten up the earthy brie and smoky pancetta – this is a perfect holiday appetizer. I also made Double Cranberry Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies, which made me fall in love with the dark chocolate and cranberry combination.
Making cranberry brownies…
As soon as I saw cranberries in the grocery store again this year, I grabbed them, ready to start recipe developing. I have an addiction to brownies, so that seemed like the perfect place the start.
I added fresh cranberries, dried cranberries, AND dark chocolate covered cranberries. All tucked in to my favorite gooey fudge brownie recipe, there was definitely cranberry flavor in every bite.
What I loved about these cranberry brownies most though, is the varying textures and flavors of the cranberries. A bite with the fresh cranberries had that sharper tartness mixed with the rich chocolate. The dried cranberries were a bit sweeter and added some chew. The chocolate covered cranberries added more texture to the brownies.
I also added a few cranberries sprinkled on top…because look how pretty it looks! I adore the pop of red, and of course, they add a whole bunch of flavor too.
These cranberry brownies are super fudgy. They’re made with a whole bunch of dark chocolate, and only a little bit of flour. They’re ooey and gooey and luscious.
These would be a wonderful addition to a holiday baking platter, or bring a batch of them to a potluck or cookie exchange. This recipe only makes an 8×8″ pan of brownies, but it doubles easily if you want to make a bigger batch in a 9×13″ pan. Enjoy!
Want more brownie recipes?
- Pumpkin Spice Latte Brownies
- Raspberry Mint Brownies
- Peppermint Brownies
- S’mores Brownies
- Peanut Butter Crunch Brownies
Cranberry Brownies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cranberry Brownies are made with dark chocolate, fresh and dried cranberries, and dark chocolate covered cranberries! If you love the tangy flavor of cranberries, you’ll love this unique brownie recipe.
Ingredients
- 6 oz. dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup (4 oz.) unsalted butter
- ¾ cup (5¼ oz.) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (2 oz.) light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- ⅔ cup (2¾ oz.) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup chocolate covered cranberries or substitute with chocolate chips
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line with parchment and lightly grease an 8×8” baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and cocoa powder together.
- Put the chocolate and butter in a large glass bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir, and repeat until the chocolate and butter are completely melted and smooth. Add the sugars. Whisk until completely combined. The mixture should be room temperature.
- Add 2 eggs to the chocolate mixture and whisk until combined. Add the vanilla and stir. Do not overbeat the batter at this stage or your brownies will be cakey.
- Sprinkle the flour mixture over the chocolate mixture. Using a rubber spatula (not a whisk), fold the flour mixture into the chocolate until just a bit of the flour mixture is visible. Fold in the dried cranberries, chocolate covered cranberries and fresh cranberries.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs attached.
- Cool brownies completely before cutting into 16 equal squares with a very sharp knife.
- Brownies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
I have never met a brownie that I didn’t like! These look delicious! ♡♡
xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com
Me either! :) Thanks, Bella!
You combined two of my favorite things here!! I definitely need these brownies in my life asap!
You’ll love them! Thanks, Rachel :)
I love the way the tartness of the cranberries contrasts with the sweet brownie! Pinning :)
Wow! You went all out on the cranberries and I love you for it.
I just saw fresh cranberries at the grocery store yesterday, and it got me SO excited that fall is really here! Even though it’s still in the 80’s here in California, Haha! These brownies sound delicious Rachel!
Haha it’s SO crazy how hot California has been this year!! Thanks, Natalie!
I love cranberries, but I would never have thought to add them to brownies! This sounds like one delicious idea, Rachel!
Thank you Marcie! :)
I love a good homemade cranberry sauce (I can’t do the canned stuff!) and I definitely love cranberries with either cheese or in dessert! These brownies are so pretty with those gorgeous pops of color!
I’m with you! Homemade is definitely better. Thanks, Ashley!
I’m usually not a fan of cranberries but when they’re dressed in decadent, fudgy brownie I think I can make an exception :) These look amazing, and perfect to practice making for Thanksgiving!
Oooh I have never tried cranberries in baked goods but think I need to give it a go! And your brownie looks insanely fudgy and dark – I often use a brownie recipe without melted chocolate (just lots of cocoa) that turns out pretty well, but will be trying this one next time! <3
OK, I love cranberries with savory stuff. But I think these brownies top every cranberry sauce on turkey I’ve ever eaten! They look amazing, Rachel!!
OMG, I love these brownies! These decadent babies are so festively fun! I’ve never tried cranberries in brownies (or blondies) before! I bet these taste amazing! Cheers and thanks for sharing the YUM!
I may have never seen so fudgy a brownie before, and I’ve met a LOT of brownies. Wow. Be still my heart!
I’m with you. I don’t like cranberry sauce with my turkey, but I do like baking with them. These brownies look amazing!
This is such a unique combination. I would of never thought of it but its probably delicious! I love the combination of sweet, decadent chocolate with a tangy, tart fruit. Perfect for this time of year! Brilliant!
I love the idea of adding a little sass and color to brownies with cranberries – and of course perfect for the season! :)
I am most definitely a cranberry lover and these brownies look amazing!!
I’m so happy I found this blog – you seem to reflect my tastes perfectly (tangy and sweet in one recipe?! yes please!). I can’t wait to make these since I have so many leftover cranberries from November. Do I need to defrost them before placing them into the batter (you mention either fresh or frozen work). Thanks!
Hi Natalie – so glad you found and like my site! Just toss in the cranberries when they’re still frozen. Enjoy!
Do you think you could use box brownie mix, and make according to package, but add in both fresh, dried, and chocolate covered cranberries before baking according to package? Just curious, want to cut down on time! ha Either way this looks delish!
Hi Shelbi, that should be fine!
I found this at the wrong season and had to try. Following exactly but using blueberry. Wish me luck
Should be delicious!! Enjoy :)
We dont get fresh cranberries or rather any berries that easy here. Is there a substitute for it.
Hi Madhura, yes you can use any berries here that you prefer!!