If you are searching for a comforting dish that bursts with autumnal flavors and a delightful combination of textures, the Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing Recipe is the one to try. This stuffing perfectly balances the sweet tartness of cranberries and apples with the crunch of walnuts, all wrapped up in herby, savory goodness. It’s a wonderful side dish that brings warmth and a festive spirit to your table, making it an essential part of any holiday feast or cozy dinner. Trust me, once you make this, it will become a favorite to recreate and share with family and friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Even though this Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing Recipe sounds intricate, the ingredients are actually simple and easy to find. Each one plays an important role in building the perfect harmony of flavors and textures— from the fresh herbs that brighten the dish to the bread that soaks up all those delicious juices, creating the ideal stuffing base.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a subtle fruitiness and helps soften the onions and apples perfectly during sautéing.
- Large onion: Gives a sweet and savory depth that forms the heart of the stuffing’s flavor.
- Apple: Provides a fresh, crisp sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the savory ingredients.
- Garlic: Brings a lovely aromatic kick without overpowering the other elements.
- Rosemary (or a mix with thyme): Introduces earthy, pine-like notes that make the stuffing wonderfully fragrant.
- Cranberry walnut bread: This unique bread combines chewy cranberries and crunchy walnuts for texture and taste; however, you can substitute with other nutty fruit breads if needed.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, ensuring the stuffing holds together after baking.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness and keeps the stuffing beautifully moist.
- Chicken stock: Introduces savory depth and moistens the bread cubes to perfection.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the natural flavors in the dish.
- Olive oil spray or cooking spray: Used to create a lightly crisped top during baking without excess oiliness.
How to Make Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
To start, heat your oven to 375°F to ensure it’s ready when the stuffing mixture is assembled. This step might feel simple, but a properly preheated oven is crucial for baking the stuffing evenly and achieving those golden-brown edges everyone loves.
Step 2: Sauté the Base
Warm the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Adding the chopped onions with a pinch of salt and pepper sets the foundation for your flavor. Cooking until translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes, allows the onions to sweeten naturally. Then, toss in the diced apples and let them soften slightly—about 3 to 5 minutes. Stirring in minced garlic and fresh rosemary at the end enhances the scent and builds layers of flavor before removing the pan from heat. This step is where your stuffing starts to develop its rich, aromatic soul.
Step 3: Combine the Bread and Sautéed Mixture
Next, transfer the cubed cranberry walnut bread into a large mixing bowl. Pour the warm onion, apple, and herb mixture over the bread so all those wonderful juices soak in. This step is essential to infuse every bite with the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and herbal notes.
Step 4: Mix in Wet Ingredients and Seasonings
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, heavy cream, chicken stock, salt, and black pepper. Pour this creamy mixture evenly over the bread and sautéed veggies. Toss everything gently but thoroughly, making sure each bread cube gets moistened. If the bread looks too dry, don’t hesitate to add a splash more chicken stock. This ensures the stuffing remains tender and flavorful after baking.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Grease a small baking pan or a 2-quart baking dish with olive oil spray, then transfer the stuffing mixture inside. Lightly coat the top with more olive oil spray to help create a slightly crisp crust. Bake for 30 minutes until you see the edges browning and the top feels firm to the touch. This step transforms the assembled ingredients into a warm, cohesive, and aromatic masterpiece that will tantalize your taste buds.
Step 6: Serve Warm and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, serve this cozy dish warm. The combination of textures—from the crunchy walnuts to the tender bread cubes soaked in herb-infused cream—is truly delightful. And don’t forget, this Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing Recipe shines best fresh from the oven!
How to Serve Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your presentation and add a pop of color, try garnishing your stuffing with some fresh cranberries or chopped walnuts. A sprinkle of finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme leaves will also add a lovely herbal fragrance as you serve. These finishing touches make the dish as beautiful as it is delicious.
Side Dishes
This stuffing pairs wonderfully with classic roasted turkey, baked chicken, or even a hearty beef roast. For a vegetarian option, it complements roasted root vegetables or mushroom dishes beautifully. Its sweet and savory essence balances well with lighter sides like steamed green beans, Brussels sprouts, or a crisp autumn salad.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to get creative, serve the stuffing in hollowed-out mini pumpkins or large mushrooms for an inviting fall-themed presentation. Alternatively, use individual ramekins for single servings, which also makes for a charming holiday table setting. These ideas make your Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing Recipe both delicious and memorable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, transfer leftover stuffing to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days, which means you can enjoy this comforting dish even after your main meal is done.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully if you want to prepare in advance. After baking or before, place your stuffing in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results without losing any of the original flavors.
Reheating
Reheat stuffing gently in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15 to 20 minutes until warmed through. Cover with foil during reheating to keep the moisture in, then remove the foil at the end to crisp the top again. This ensures the leftovers taste almost as fresh as the first serving.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of bread for this stuffing?
Absolutely! While cranberry walnut bread adds unique flavor and texture, you can substitute with any rustic bread like sourdough, challah, or even a hearty multigrain bread. Just make sure it’s slightly stale or toasted to absorb the wet ingredients well.
Is this stuffing recipe suitable for vegetarians?
To make this recipe vegetarian, simply replace the chicken stock with vegetable broth. The rest of the ingredients remain the same, and the result is just as flavorful and satisfying.
Can I prepare this stuffing entirely ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the stuffing the day before baking. Store it covered in the fridge and bake it fresh the next day. This is a great way to save time on busy holiday mornings.
What can I use if I don’t have heavy cream?
If you don’t have heavy cream on hand, you can substitute with half-and-half or whole milk mixed with a little melted butter to add richness. The texture may be slightly lighter, but the stuffing will still be tasty and moist.
How do I make the stuffing crispy on top?
To get that perfect crispy top, lightly spray the top of your stuffing with olive oil before baking and avoid covering it during the last 10 minutes of baking. This helps the surface dry out slightly and develop a golden, crunchy crust.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to impress loved ones with a side dish that’s bursting with flavor, color, and comforting textures, the Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing Recipe is a must-make. Its satisfying blend of sweet and savory elements brings something special to any meal and is sure to become a cherished classic on your table. So, grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and dive into creating this unforgettable stuffing—you won’t regret it!
Print
Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cranberry Apple Walnut Stuffing is a delightful twist on traditional stuffing, combining the tartness of cranberries, the sweetness of apples, and the crunch of walnuts. Perfect for holiday meals or cozy dinners, this recipe offers a moist, flavorful side dish baked to golden perfection with aromatic herbs and a creamy texture.
Ingredients
Stuffing Base
- 1 loaf cranberry walnut bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
Sautéed Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped into small pieces
- 1 apple, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons rosemary, chopped (or use a mix of rosemary and thyme)
Binding Mixture
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken stock (add more as needed to moisten the bread)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Finishing
- Olive oil spray or cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the stuffing later.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions, season lightly with salt and pepper, and sauté until they become translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the diced apples and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until slightly softened. Stir in minced garlic and chopped rosemary, cooking for another minute before removing the pan from heat.
- Combine Bread and Aromatics: Place the cubed cranberry walnut bread in a large mixing bowl. Pour the warm sautéed onion and apple mixture over the bread cubes and stir gently to combine.
- Prepare Binding Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, heavy cream, chicken stock, salt, and pepper until fully blended. Pour this liquid mixture over the bread and aromatic blend, tossing well to ensure all the bread is moistened. Add a splash more chicken stock if the bread appears too dry.
- Transfer and Bake: Grease a small baking pan or a 2-quart baking dish with olive oil spray. Transfer the stuffing mixture into the dish and lightly coat the top with additional olive oil spray. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the top feels firm to the touch.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the stuffing warm. Optionally, garnish with extra fresh cranberries for added color and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute cranberry walnut bread with any other fruit and nut bread if desired, such as raisin pecan bread.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, replace chicken stock with vegetable stock and omit the egg or use an egg substitute.
- To make the stuffing extra moist, gradually add stock during mixing until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before serving.
