I feel like cranberries are the Brussels sprouts of the fruit world.  You either really like them or really don’t and often the reason you like or don’t like them is the way they’ve been prepared.

Well, I’m going to try to bring you to the cranberry side if you aren’t already there. 

I love cranberries.  They aren’t sweet, which is why most people aren’t huge fans of plain cranberries.  In fact, if you pop a cranberry into your mouth you’ll probably look like a baby trying a lemon for the first time.  Fun to watch on YouTube, not so fun to experience.

But their tartness is one of the main reasons I love them.  They provide a contrast to all the rich, heavy, sweet food that we see around the holidays.  And, if you don’t douse them in sugar, they offer a lot of great nutrition.  Can’t say the same for your Aunt Shirley’s homemade triple fudge bars, can you?

Instead of a relish, dip, or some other side dish, I’ve made the cranberries the star of this simple chia pudding.  You can dress it up with toppings, add in a few of your favorite fruits like oranges or mangoes, and enjoy cranberries for the delicious berry they really are.

Plus, this is a fantastic make-ahead breakfast or dessert if you have a crazy holiday schedule ahead of you!

Cranberry Chia Pudding 

• 1 cup coconut milk or another dairy free milk
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1 tbsp ground flax seeds
• 3/4-1 cup cranberries (depending on how much you like cranberries!)
• 1/3 cup sliced zucchini (trust me on this one, you won’t taste it)
• juice of one lime
• 1 medium sized banana, about 1/2 cup sliced up
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp almond butter (or whatever nut/seed butter you like best)

1. Starting in the order listed, add everything to a blender or food processor.  Blend until completely smooth.
2. Pour the pudding into cups/jars/bowls and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, overnight if you have the time.
3. To serve, top with your favorite toppings.  Which could include:

• Cacao nibs
• Coconut shreds
• Chopped up cranberries
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Extra chia seeds
• Homemade granola
• Cinnamon
• Slivered Almonds
• Almond or peanut butter
• Crumbled up Christmas cookies… I won’t judge 😉