Cranberry Tart with Homemade Crust

Vibrant, tangy and elegant, a cranberry tart is a dessert that lets simple ingredients shine. The natural brightness of cranberries pairs beautifully with a tart's crisp nut base, with just enough sweetness to create balance in every mouthful. This tart delivers depth and texture without unnecessary complexity. It's the kind of dessert that looks impressive yet feels approachable, making it ideal for both special occasions and everyday indulgences.

Made with frozen, whole cranberries, this tart isn't just delicious: Cranberries contain powerful polyphenols that protect against oxidative stress and support a healthy urinary tract, promoting women's wellness.

What is a cranberry tart?

A cranberry tart is a fruit-based dessert made with a firm crust and a vibrant cranberry filling that highlights the berry's naturally zesty character, which is often enhanced with citrus, vanilla and warm spices.

Unlike a pie, a tart is typically shallower and prepared in a tart pan with a removable bottom, allowing it to hold clean edges and a refined shape. Traditionally, the filling is made by cooking cranberries until they burst and thicken, creating a smooth, glossy center.

A cranberry curd tart, on the other hand, adds whole eggs and egg yolks to the mix, making for a heavier dish. In either case, the chemistry between a crisp crust and a bright, tangy filling is what defines a cranberry tart and gives it its signature balance and visual appeal.

Cranberry tarts can be kept beautifully simple or elevated with thoughtful finishing touches, depending on the occasion. Some are finished with a glossy glaze for a polished look, while others are topped with powdered sugar, fresh citrus zest, or a light dollop of whipped cream or yogurt.

How to make a cranberry tart healthier

You can make a cranberry tart healthier by not adding table sugar. In this recipe, natural sweetness from Medjool dates softens the tartness, while a hint of citrus enhances and brightens the overall flavor profile, resulting in a filling that is lower in added sugar than other tart recipes, without sacrificing taste.

Additionally, the way the filling is prepared can impact its health benefits. This tart recipe differs from traditional cranberry tart and curd tart recipes by using cranberries in their natural, ripe form without applying heat. By keeping the ingredients raw and not cooking or baking them, the cranberries' beneficial nutrients are better preserved while their bold flavor remains front and center.

Cranberry Tart Recipe

This recipe makes eight servings.

Ingredients: Crust

• 1 cup of raw almonds or cashews
• 5 medjool dates
• Pinch of salt

Ingredients: Filling

• 1-1/2 cups frozen cranberries, defrosted
• ¼ cup cashews, soaked
• 4 medjool dates
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation: The no-bake crust

1. Prepare a 9" round tart pan with a removable bottom by wrapping it in parchment paper or sticky cling wrap for easy unmolding.
2. First, prepare the tart crust by using a food processor to blend the almonds or cashews until crushed small.
3. To the food processor, add the soft dates and the pinch of salt. If your dates are not very soft, soak them in warm water for 5 minutes. Make sure to remove the pits from the dates if not already pitted.
4. Process the dough until everything has been incorporated. Do not overmix to prevent the crust from being too chewy.
5. Remove the processed crust from the food processor and add it to the prepared pan.
6. Using your hands, fill the entire base of the mold and press it up the wall of the tart pan.
7. Keep the crust thin, removing any excess as needed. This excess crust can be rolled into bite-sized balls and saved as a healthy snack for later.
8. Once the crust is formed into the pan, place the pan in the refrigerator while you make the filling.

Preparation: The cranberry filling

1. To a high-speed blender, add the defrosted cranberries, orange juice, soft dates, soaked cashews, vanilla extract and salt.
2. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
3. Remove the molded tart crust from the refrigerator and pour the cranberry filling on top.
4. Place the cranberry tart into the freezer for 4-6 hours.
5. Once frozen, transfer to the refrigerator to defrost.
6. Cut and enjoy as is or elevate it by topping it with some whipped cream or melted chocolate.

Nutritional values per serving

• Calories: 215
• Fat: 12.5 g
• Protein: 3.6 g
• Carbohydrates: 26.3 g
• Fiber: 3.5 g
• Sugar: 19.5 g
• Sodium: 35 mg

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes.

Tips for Success

This cranberry tart recipe can easily be adjusted to your preferences.

• Taste the filling before pouring it onto the crust and adjust sweetness by adding up to a tablespoon of maple syrup or an additional date.
• Mix orange zest into your filling mixture to enhance the cranberry flavor naturally.
• If you opt to use a baked graham crust, allow the crust to cool before adding the cranberry filling.
• Serve the tart with something creamy to balance the tartness: yogurt or whipped cream are great options or even a drizzle of melted chocolate.

Why do cranberries and dessert go together?

Cranberries offer a unique wellness boost to an otherwise indulgent dessert recipe. Naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and plant compounds known as polyphenols, these berries support urinary tract health and help combat oxidative stress.

Cranberries are well-suited for desserts because they bring both vibrant flavor and meaningful nutritional benefits to the table. They are a natural source of fiber, which supports healthy digestion, and of powerful antioxidants that help protect cells throughout the body from oxidative stress. Cranberry supplements and cranberry juice are well-known for supporting the urinary health of women, in particular, thanks to their phytonutrients.

In desserts, the naturally tart profile of these berries allows for less added sugar in recipes, making treats feel lighter and more balanced. This combination of wellness benefits and bright flavor makes cranberry-based desserts a satisfying way to enjoy something sweet while still being mindful of overall health.

What type of crust is best for a cranberry tart (shortcrust vs. graham)?

This recipe uses a healthy, nut-based, no-bake crust that relies on softened dates for sweetness and delivers protein and dietary fiber with each serving. Traditionally, though, the cranberry is baked in either a shortcrust or graham cracker crust.

When deciding between shortcrust and graham cracker crust for a cranberry tart, the key is choosing a base that supports the filling without overshadowing it. Shortcrust pastry is often the preferred option because of its crisp, buttery texture and subtle sweetness, which provides structure and allows the vibrant cranberry filling to shine. Its firm, baked shell holds clean edges and delivers a polished, bakery-style finish.

Graham cracker crusts, while sweeter and more relaxed in texture, offer their own appeal. Made from crushed crackers and butter, they add a toasted, slightly caramelized flavor that pairs well with creamy or lightly sweetened fillings. For cranberry tarts, a graham crust can work beautifully when a softer, more dessert-forward profile is desired, especially in no-bake or chilled preparations.

Should I use fresh or frozen cranberries for the tart filling?

Both fresh and frozen berries can be used for tart filling. The best choice often depends on seasonality and convenience.

Fresh cranberries provide a slightly firmer texture and a bright, crisp flavor when they are in season. Frozen cranberries, however, are available year-round and preserve their natural tartness along with their nutritional benefits, making them a dependable option at any time of year.

For this recipe, in which the cranberries are not cooked, thawed frozen cranberries work especially well. Once thawed, they release their natural juices, which helps the filling blend smoothly and develop a creamy, silky texture that integrates beautifully into the tart.

How do I keep my tart crust from getting soggy?

If you're using the no-bake crust in this recipe, there's no need to worry about sogginess at all. Because the crust isn't baked and is designed to support a chilled filling, it naturally maintains its texture, providing a firm, satisfying base without the risk of becoming soft.

If using a traditional baked tart crust, it's important to manage moisture from the very beginning. Be sure to fully set the crust, allowing it to cool completely before adding the filling. This helps create a sturdy base that can better withstand moisture. Adding a thin protective layer, such as a light brushing of egg white or a sprinkle of finely ground nuts, can act as a barrier and further prevent sogginess.

Does cranberry tart get you enough cranberry?

A cranberry tart provides a meaningful amount of cranberries, especially compared to many desserts that use fruit sparingly. Each slice contains a concentrated cranberry filling, offering beneficial antioxidant compounds, fiber and vitamin C. Cranberries are rich in health-supporting proanthocyanidins, powerful plant compounds known to promote urinary tract health, especially for women.

Although this dessert is a delicious way to treat yourself on occasion, a daily nutritional supplement is a better way to get the benefits of this fruit. High-quality supplements use whole fruit concentrates that deliver anthocyanins equal to four glasses of cranberry juice cocktail, without added sugars. Some also include beneficial nutrients like hibiscus extract, which is rich in anthocyanins and flavonoids, to complement cranberry's wellness support.

Tips for Success

This cranberry tart recipe can easily be adjusted to your preferences.

• Taste the filling before pouring it onto the crust and adjust sweetness by adding up to a tablespoon of maple syrup or an additional date.
• Mix orange zest into your filling mixture to enhance the cranberry flavor naturally.
• If you opt to use a baked graham crust, allow the crust to cool before adding the cranberry filling.
• Serve the tart with something creamy to balance the tartness: yogurt or whipped cream are great options or even a drizzle of melted chocolate.

Why do cranberries and dessert go together?

Cranberries offer a unique wellness boost to an otherwise indulgent dessert recipe. Naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and plant compounds known as polyphenols, these berries support urinary tract health and help combat oxidative stress.

Cranberries are well-suited for desserts because they bring both vibrant flavor and meaningful nutritional benefits to the table. They are a natural source of fiber, which supports healthy digestion, and of powerful antioxidants that help protect cells throughout the body from oxidative stress. Cranberry supplements and cranberry juice are well-known for supporting the urinary health of women, in particular, thanks to their phytonutrients.

In desserts, the naturally tart profile of these berries allows for less added sugar in recipes, making treats feel lighter and more balanced. This combination of wellness benefits and bright flavor makes cranberry-based desserts a satisfying way to enjoy something sweet while still being mindful of overall health.

What type of crust is best for a cranberry tart (shortcrust vs. graham)?

This recipe uses a healthy, nut-based, no-bake crust that relies on softened dates for sweetness and delivers protein and dietary fiber with each serving. Traditionally, though, the cranberry is baked in either a shortcrust or graham cracker crust.

When deciding between shortcrust and graham cracker crust for a cranberry tart, the key is choosing a base that supports the filling without overshadowing it. Shortcrust pastry is often the preferred option because of its crisp, buttery texture and subtle sweetness, which provides structure and allows the vibrant cranberry filling to shine. Its firm, baked shell holds clean edges and delivers a polished, bakery-style finish.

Graham cracker crusts, while sweeter and more relaxed in texture, offer their own appeal. Made from crushed crackers and butter, they add a toasted, slightly caramelized flavor that pairs well with creamy or lightly sweetened fillings. For cranberry tarts, a graham crust can work beautifully when a softer, more dessert-forward profile is desired, especially in no-bake or chilled preparations.

Should I use fresh or frozen cranberries for the tart filling?

Both fresh and frozen berries can be used for tart filling. The best choice often depends on seasonality and convenience.

Fresh cranberries provide a slightly firmer texture and a bright, crisp flavor when they are in season. Frozen cranberries, however, are available year-round and preserve their natural tartness along with their nutritional benefits, making them a dependable option at any time of year.

For this recipe, in which the cranberries are not cooked, thawed frozen cranberries work especially well. Once thawed, they release their natural juices, which helps the filling blend smoothly and develop a creamy, silky texture that integrates beautifully into the tart.

How do I keep my tart crust from getting soggy?

If you're using the no-bake crust in this recipe, there's no need to worry about sogginess at all. Because the crust isn't baked and is designed to support a chilled filling, it naturally maintains its texture, providing a firm, satisfying base without the risk of becoming soft.

If using a traditional baked tart crust, it's important to manage moisture from the very beginning. Be sure to fully set the crust, allowing it to cool completely before adding the filling. This helps create a sturdy base that can better withstand moisture. Adding a thin protective layer, such as a light brushing of egg white or a sprinkle of finely ground nuts, can act as a barrier and further prevent sogginess.

Does cranberry tart get you enough cranberry?

A cranberry tart provides a meaningful amount of cranberries, especially compared to many desserts that use fruit sparingly. Each slice contains a concentrated cranberry filling, offering beneficial antioxidant compounds, fiber and vitamin C. Cranberries are rich in health-supporting proanthocyanidins, powerful plant compounds known to promote urinary tract health, especially for women.

Although this dessert is a delicious way to treat yourself on occasion, a daily nutritional supplement is a better way to get the benefits of this fruit. High-quality supplements use whole fruit concentrates that deliver anthocyanins equal to four glasses of cranberry juice cocktail, without added sugars. Some also include beneficial nutrients like hibiscus extract, which is rich in anthocyanins and flavonoids, to complement cranberry's wellness support.

References

• Williams G, et al. "Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections." Cochrane Library. April 2023. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001321.pub6/full
• Xiong Z, et al. "Preventive effect of cranberries with high dose of proanthocyanidins on urinary tract infections: a meta-analysis and systematic review." Front Nutr. November 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39668896/
• "Cranberries, raw." U.S. Department of Agriculture. October 2024. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2709279/nutrients