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Best Homemade Apple Cranberry Stuffing – Easy Fall Recipe

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This apple cranberry stuffing is a crowd-pleasing holiday side dish with tart cranberries, sweet apples, and fresh herbs. It’s make-ahead friendly, foolproof, and perfect for Thanksgiving or any fall gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large loaf (about 1 pound) day-old sourdough or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the dish
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1½ cups)
  • 3 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 medium Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into ½-inch pieces
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1½ cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
  • 1½ tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1½ tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cut day-old bread into 1-inch cubes. Spread on a baking sheet and let sit out for a few hours, or toast in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes until slightly dry but not browned.
  2. In a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and celery, cook for 5-6 minutes until soft and translucent.
  3. Add chopped apples and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just starting to soften. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  4. In a small bowl, mix together chopped sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Set aside about 2 tablespoons for the top.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine dried bread cubes, cooked apple mixture, dried cranberries, and most of the fresh herbs (reserve 2 tablespoons). Toss gently until evenly distributed.
  6. In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, beaten eggs, salt, and pepper. Pour evenly over the bread mixture. Gently toss and squeeze bread cubes to help them absorb the liquid. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  7. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. Transfer stuffing mixture to the dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle reserved fresh herbs on top.
  8. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until top is golden brown and crispy.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best texture; fresh bread will turn soggy. Don’t skip the egg—it helps bind the stuffing. For extra crispy top, broil for the last 2-3 minutes. Can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cranberry stuffing, Thanksgiving stuffing, holiday side dish, homemade stuffing, fall recipe, bread stuffing, easy stuffing recipe

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/best-homemade-apple-cranberry-stuffing-easy-fall-recipe/