12 Fruit-Filled Recipes Perfect for December

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Fruit-filled recipes bring a bright, refreshing twist to December’s cozy meals. These dishes lean into the natural sweetness and color of seasonal fruit, adding variety and a little surprise to the table. They’re simple, cheerful, and just right for breaking up all the heavier winter favorites. And honestly? These recipes are so good, you’ll want to keep them in rotation well past December!

Apple Cranberry Sauce

A rectangular dish holds cranberry sauce, adorned with two cinnamon sticks on top.
Image Credit: Love From the Oven

Apple Cranberry Sauce shines as one of the best fresh fruit recipes for Thanksgiving. The blend of tart cranberries, sweet apples, and warm cinnamon feels like a holiday celebration in every bite. Serve it alongside turkey or as a tangy topping for desserts.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Sauce

Apple and Blackberry Crumble

A bowl of fruit crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, situated on a patterned plate with a spoon next to it.
Image Credit: The Food Blog

Apple and Blackberry Crumble brings all the cozy vibes to fresh fruit recipes for Thanksgiving. Juicy blackberries and tender apples bake under a buttery, golden crust that pairs beautifully with a scoop of ice cream. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Apple and Blackberry Crumble

Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

A bowl of fruit salad with creamy dressing, visible chunks of fruit, a bowl of maraschino cherries, and two spoons on a table.
Image Credit: Everyday Family Cooking

Fruit Salad with Cool Whip adds a playful touch to fresh fruit recipes for Thanksgiving. Creamy Cool Whip wraps around colorful fruit chunks for a refreshing side dish that kids and adults can’t resist. It’s quick to whip up and perfect for any holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

Strawberry Spinach Salad

A white bowl containing fresh spinach, sliced strawberries, and slivered almonds.
Image Credit: Kalyn’s Kitchen

Strawberry Spinach Salad brings brightness to fresh fruit recipes for Thanksgiving. Juicy strawberries, crisp spinach, and a tangy vinaigrette make this dish a refreshing counterpoint to heavier holiday fare. Add candied pecans for an extra crunch.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Spinach Salad

Kale and Beet Salad with Apples

A glass bowl filled with kale, apple slices, beets, and pecans, accompanied by wooden salad servers.
Image Credit: The Food Blog

Kale and Beet Salad with Apples is a vibrant star among fresh fruit recipes for Thanksgiving. The hearty kale, earthy beets, and crisp apples come alive with a maple cider vinaigrette. It’s a healthy yet festive way to brighten your table.
Get the Recipe: Kale and Beet Salad with Apples

Upside Down Apple Cake Recipe

The image shows a round baked dessert with sliced pears and walnuts on top, placed on a white plate. Nearby, an apple and a napkin are visible.
Image Credit: Tasha’s Artisan Food

Upside Down Apple Cake takes its rightful place in fresh fruit recipes for Thanksgiving. Caramelized apples and a tender, spiced cake deliver all the cozy flavors of fall. It’s perfect for ending your meal on a sweet and satisfying note.
Get the Recipe: Upside Down Apple Cake Recipe

Blueberry Strawberry Pie

A lattice-topped pie with berries inside and a slice missing, accompanied by strawberries and blueberries on a marble surface.
Image Credit: Little Nonni

Blueberry Strawberry Pie bursts with flavor, making it a favorite in fresh fruit recipes for Thanksgiving. The flaky crust cradles a juicy, colorful berry filling that’s a feast for the eyes and the palate. Serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Strawberry Pie

Delicious Orange Flan Recipe

A round flan topped with orange slices on a white plate, accompanied by a tulip, half an orange, and a small bowl of sauce on a teal surface.
Image Credit: A Latin Flair

Delicious Orange Flan brings a creamy, citrusy flair to fresh fruit recipes for Thanksgiving. The velvety flan and bright orange syrup create a dessert that feels both indulgent and light, making it an excellent choice for ending your holiday feast.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Orange Flan Recipe

Fried Apples

A bowl containing cooked apple slices in syrup, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, accompanied by green apples and cinnamon sticks.
Image Credit: Love From the Oven

Fried Apples offer a buttery, caramelized option for fresh fruit recipes for Thanksgiving. With hints of cinnamon, these warm and tender apples make a delightful side dish or dessert. Serve them over pancakes, ice cream, or on their own for a sweet treat.
Get the Recipe: Fried Apples

Kale Salad Recipe with Apples & Fried Goat Cheese (Fall Salad Ideas)

Scrumptious Kale Salad Recipe with Apples & Fried Goat Cheese (Fall Salad Ideas) photo
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This Autumn Kale Salad recipe is the salad of the season! Made with kale, apples, onions, pumpkin seeds, bacon, fried goat cheese and a maple pumpkin salad dressing, it is the perfect fall salad idea. This delicious kale apple salad makes a tasty and healthy meal you’ll want to eat all season long!
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad Recipe with Apples & Fried Goat Cheese (Fall Salad Ideas)

Mandarin Orange Salad

Scrumptious Mandarin Orange Salad photo
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Mandarin Orange Salad has been a favorite in our family forever! My Mom always makes this mandarin salad for family dinners and holidays.
Get the Recipe: Mandarin Orange SaladMini Pavlova Recipe

Mini Pavlova Recipe in all its glory
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

MINI PAVLOVAS topped with fresh fruit, whipped cream, and fruit syrup is the ULTIMATE holiday dessert. This mini pavlova recipe is the perfect dessert for Christmas or any celebration. They’re beautiful, delicious, and EASY to make!
Get the Recipe: Mini Pavlova Recipe

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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