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Best Kid-Approved Apple Cranberry Stuffing with Fresh Herbs

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This kid-approved apple cranberry stuffing uses shortcut ingredients like bagged bread cubes for a quick, delicious side dish that pleases both kids and adults. Sweet apples, tart cranberries, and fresh herbs create a crowd-pleasing holiday favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (14-ounce) bag seasoned bread cubes
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (plus more for greasing)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 3 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 medium Honeycrisp or Fuji apples, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth (warmed)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent.
  3. Add the diced apples to the skillet. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring gently, until slightly softened but still holding shape.
  4. Stir in the fresh herbs: sage, rosemary, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Remove the skillet from heat. In a large mixing bowl, combine the bagged bread cubes, cooked vegetable-apple mixture, and dried cranberries. Toss gently until evenly distributed.
  6. In a separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the warm broth, beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Pour over the bread cube mixture and stir gently until all bread cubes are moistened. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  7. Transfer the stuffing to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
  8. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  9. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy.
  10. Let the stuffing rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a crispier top, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end. To make ahead, prepare up to step 7 and refrigerate for up to 24 hours; add 10-15 minutes to covered baking time. Fresh herbs are non-negotiable for best flavor. Don’t skip the egg—it helps bind the stuffing.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffing, apple cranberry stuffing, Thanksgiving stuffing, kid-friendly stuffing, holiday side dish, fresh herbs stuffing

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