If you’re looking for a cozy fruit dessert that’s a little different from the usual cobbler, you’re going to want to try this sheet pan cranberry orange cobbler. It’s made with tart cranberries, sweet brown sugar, fresh orange juice and zest, and a buttery cobbler topping that’s finished with a crunchy brown sugar pecan topping.
The cranberries and orange are such a great combination. The tart berries balance out all that sweetness, while the orange adds a bright citrus flavor that makes the whole dessert taste extra special. And because it’s baked right on a sheet pan, there’s plenty to go around.
If you love cozy fall desserts like this that are perfect for the dinner table or a holiday spread, be sure to try my cranberry dessert bars next.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tart and sweet: Cranberries bring plenty of tart flavor that balances perfectly with the granulated and brown sugar.
- Bright orange flavor: Fresh orange juice and zest add a delicious citrus flavor to the cranberry filling.
- Buttery cobbler topping: The soft, tender topping is the perfect contrast to the juicy cranberry mixture.
- Crunchy pecan topping: Brown sugar, butter, flour, and chopped pecans create a sweet, crispy finish.
- Easy to make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this an easy dessert.
- Perfect for a crowd: Baking the cobbler on a sheet pan gives you plenty to share.
- Great for the holidays: Cranberries and orange make this especially fitting for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Key Ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients and their exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Cranberries: The star of the cobbler! They bring a bright, tart flavor that balances beautifully with the sweet toppings.
- Orange juice & zest: Add fresh citrus flavor that brightens the cranberries and makes the filling extra flavorful.
- Brown sugar & granulated sugar: Sweeten the tart cranberries, while the brown sugar adds a deeper, caramel-like flavor.
- Pecans: Add a delicious nutty flavor and crunchy texture to the brown sugar topping.
Variations
- Add extra orange: Add a little more orange zest if you love a stronger citrus flavor.
- Use walnuts: Swap the pecans for chopped walnuts in the topping.
- Skip the nuts: Leave out the pecans if you prefer a nut-free cobbler.
- Add cinnamon: A little cinnamon in the cobbler topping adds a warm, cozy flavor.
- Add vanilla: A splash of vanilla extract in the cobbler topping can add another layer of flavor.
- Use frozen cranberries: Frozen cranberries can be used if fresh cranberries aren’t available.
How to Make Sheet Pan Cranberry Orange Cobbler
Step 1: Mix the filling ingredients. Set aside for about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Whisk the dry cobbler ingredients. Then, add cubed butter and boiling water and mix it into the dry ingredients until combined. Set aside.
Step 3: Whisk the dry brown sugar pecan topping ingredients. Then, mix in the melted butter until crumbly.
Step 4: Pour the filling into a prepared sheet pan. Then, spoon the cobbler dough over it. Sprinkle with the brown sugar pecan topping.
Step 5: Bake until bubbly and golden.
Step 6: Cool until warm and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Use a rimmed baking sheet: The cranberry mixture will release juices as it bakes, so a rimmed baking sheet helps keep everything contained.
- Line the pan well: Foil makes cleanup much easier after the cranberry filling bubbles during baking.
- Don’t skip the 10-minute rest: Letting the cranberry mixture sit gives the fruit time to combine with the sugar and orange.
- Use fresh orange zest: Zesting the orange right before making the filling gives you the brightest citrus flavor.
- Cut the butter into small pieces: Smaller pieces are easier to incorporate into the cobbler topping.
- Don’t overwork the topping: Mix the cobbler topping until everything is incorporated, but don’t worry about making it perfectly smooth.
- Spread the toppings evenly: This helps ensure that every serving gets a little of the soft cobbler topping and crunchy pecan topping.
- Watch the edges: The edges can brown faster than the center, so keep an eye on the cobbler during the final few minutes of baking.
Sheet Pan Cranberry Orange Cobbler FAQs
Cranberry orange cobbler has a sweet-tart fruit filling with bright citrus flavor and a rich, buttery topping. The tartness of the cranberries balances the brown sugar, while orange juice and zest add freshness, and pecans provide a nutty crunch.
Cranberries have a naturally sharp, tart flavor, while orange provides sweetness and bright citrus notes. The combination balances the richness of the buttery cobbler topping and creates a flavor profile that works especially well for fall and winter desserts.
Both fresh and frozen cranberries can work in this cobbler. Frozen cranberries are convenient when fresh berries aren’t available, although they may require a little additional baking time depending on how cold they are when added to the filling.
Not necessarily. Frozen cranberries can be incorporated directly into the fruit mixture, but because they start colder than fresh berries, the cobbler may take slightly longer to become hot and bubbly.
Pecans are an excellent choice because their buttery, nutty flavor complements the brown sugar and orange. Walnuts are also a good substitute if you prefer their slightly more robust flavor.
Mix the brown sugar, flour, pecans, and melted butter until the mixture is crumbly and evenly coated. Spread it across the cobbler rather than concentrating it in one area so it has plenty of surface exposure to the oven’s heat.
The portion of the topping that sits directly against the fruit will naturally be softer because it absorbs some of the cranberry juices. The brown sugar pecan layer provides the crisp contrast, while serving the cobbler warm gives you the best combination of textures.
For best quality, enjoy refrigerated leftovers within a few days. Keep the cobbler covered and refrigerated rather than leaving it at room temperature for extended periods.
Yes. Allow the cobbler to cool completely, then wrap it well or place it in a freezer-safe airtight container before freezing. Thaw it before reheating for the best texture.
Serve Sheet Pan Cranberry Orange Cobbler With:
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Sheet Pan Cranberry Orange Cobbler
Ingredients
Cranberry Orange Filling
- 8 cups cranberries
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup orange juice
- Zest from 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Cobbler Topping
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter, cut into small pieces
- ⅓ cup boiling water
Brown Sugar Peccan Topping
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¾ cup pecans, chopped
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil. Set aside.
Cranberry Orange Mixture
- In a large bowl, add cranberries, sugars, orange juice, zest, and cornstarch. Stir until well combined. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Cobbler Topping
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt.
- Add in cut butter and boiling water, and mix until well incorporated.
Brown Sugar Pecan Topping
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, pecans, and flour. Pour in melted butter and mix until fully combined.
- Pour out cranberry mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread evenly.
- Add cobbler topping over cranberries and then sprinkle brown sugar pecan topping over the cobbler topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly and cobbler topping is fully baked.
Notes
- Use a rimmed baking sheet: The cranberry mixture will release juices as it bakes, so a rimmed baking sheet helps keep everything contained.
- Line the pan well: Foil makes cleanup much easier after the cranberry filling bubbles during baking.
- Don’t skip the 10-minute rest: Letting the cranberry mixture sit gives the fruit time to combine with the sugar and orange.
- Use fresh orange zest: Zesting the orange right before making the filling gives you the brightest citrus flavor.
- Cut the butter into small pieces: Smaller pieces are easier to incorporate into the cobbler topping.
- Don’t overwork the topping: Mix the cobbler topping until everything is incorporated, but don’t worry about making it perfectly smooth.
- Spread the toppings evenly: This helps ensure that every serving gets a little of the soft cobbler topping and crunchy pecan topping.
- Watch the edges: The edges can brown faster than the center, so keep an eye on the cobbler during the final few minutes of baking.
Nutrition
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