Our Family’s Special Holiday Dish: Cranberry Bread
How Reading Cranberry Thanksgiving and Baking Bread Brings Us Together for the Holidays
Every year, once the holiday decorations are up, we pull out our beloved copy of Cranberry Thanksgiving and read it together. If you haven’t read it, it’s a charming story about a grandmother, her secret cranberry bread recipe, and a Thanksgiving guest who may not be what he seems. My daughter pulls it out and asks us to read it multiple times a day as soon as Halloween ends. Get your copy here. (Not an affiliate link. I’m not that fancy.)
After reading, we head into the kitchen to make the famous cranberry bread from the book. It’s such a simple recipe, but the process feels magical—mixing the dry ingredients, folding in the cranberries, and waiting as the delicious aroma fills the house.
What Makes It So Special?
- Connection to the story: My daughter loves pretending she’s making Grandma’s secret recipe from the book for a particular character. We then pretend to hide the super secret recipe.
- Fun for all ages: The recipe is easy enough for little hands to help with, from measuring ingredients to stirring the batter. From a very young age, my daughter has enjoyed scooping and pouring. Now that she’s getting a little bigger she likes turning on the mixer.
- A treat to share: We always bake an extra loaf to bring to holiday gatherings.
I love baking with my daughter any time of year, but there’s something extra special about baking this bread during the holidays. Reading Cranberry Thanksgiving together every single day leading up to Thanksgiving adds a magical touch, making the experience feel like so much more than just baking—it’s a cherished tradition we look forward to all year long.
How to Start Your Own Holiday Food Tradition
If you don’t already have a special holiday dish, it’s never too late to start! Here are a few tips to create a food tradition that your family will look forward to year after year:
- Choose a Recipe with Meaning:
Pick something that ties into your family’s story, culture, or interests. Maybe it’s your grandma’s stuffing recipe or a dish from a favorite holiday movie or book—like our cranberry bread! Every Christmas morning we make beignets as a nod to my mom’s family’s Louisiana-French heritage. - Make It Fun and Inclusive:
Involve the whole family in the process. Younger kids can mix and measure, while older kids can help with trickier tasks. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s making memories. - Keep It Simple:
Don’t stress about creating something elaborate. Even a batch of sugar cookies or a homemade hot cocoa night can become a treasured tradition. The first year I tried to make sugar cookies with my daughter she lost her mind for no (apparent) reason. - Try Something New Each Year:
If you’re looking for inspiration, consider trying a new recipe or exploring a dish from your heritage. Who knows? It might become the next big tradition in your family!
Inspiring Holiday Food Traditions
Need some ideas to get started? Here are a few holiday food traditions you could try:
- Baking and decorating sugar cookies as a family.
- Making a breakfast casserole or cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning.
- Recreating a dish from your favorite holiday movie or book.
- Hosting a family recipe swap where everyone brings their signature dish.
And if you’re curious, I highly recommend checking out Cranberry Thanksgiving and trying the cranberry bread recipe—it’s simple, delicious, and might just become part of your family’s holiday season, too.
A Final Thought on Holiday Food Traditions
For me, holiday dishes are about so much more than the food. It’s about slowing down, savoring the season, and creating moments that my kid will remember long after she’s grown up. Every time we bake cranberry bread, I’m reminded of how small traditions can make the holidays feel truly magical.
What about you? Do you or your family make any special dishes for the holidays? I’d love to hear your traditions—or inspire you to start a new one. Share your favorites in the comments below, and let’s spread the holiday cheer, one delicious dish at a time!
