Best 8 Dried Fruit And Nut Cornbread Dressing Recipes

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For a delectable twist on traditional cornbread dressing, explore the tantalizing world of dried fruit and nut cornbread dressing. This dish will take your taste buds on an exciting journey with its symphony of flavors and textures. Dried fruits, with their concentrated sweetness and chewy texture, provide a delightful contrast to the savory cornbread base. Nuts, with their toasty aroma and crunchy bite, add a touch of elegance and complexity to every mouthful. Dive into this culinary adventure and discover the perfect recipe to elevate your holiday feast or transform your weeknight dinner into a memorable occasion.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

DRIED-FRUIT AND NUT CORNBREAD DRESSING



Dried-Fruit and Nut Cornbread Dressing image

Make and freeze the pecan- and dried fruit-studded cornbread up to a month in advance, and all you have to do on Thanksgiving is add a few more ingredients and bake.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 2h45m

Yield Serves 6 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups cornmeal (not stone-ground)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
1/2 cup pecans, toasted
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 1/2 cups well-shaken buttermilk
2 large eggs
Unsalted butter, for baking dish
2 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
4 large eggs
1 bunch scallions, white and pale-green parts only, thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Cornbread:Preheat oven to 400 degrees with rack in top third. Melt butter in an 8- or 9-inch-square baking dish in oven. Meanwhile, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pecans, raisins, and cranberries in a bowl. Whisk together buttermilk and eggs in a large bowl. Gradually whisk melted butter (set aside baking dish) into buttermilk mixture.
  • Whisk cornmeal mixture into buttermilk mixture until just combined, then pour into buttered dish. Bake cornbread until golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour. Cornbread can be made 2 days ahead and stored at room temperature or frozen up to 1 month.
  • Dressing:Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut cornbread into roughly 1-inch pieces and place on a rimmed baking sheet, along with any crumbs. Toast until golden, about 30 minutes.
  • Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Whisk together milk, cream, eggs, scallions, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Fold in toasted cornbread and transfer to baking dish. Bake until custard is set and top is browned, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes before serving.

FRUIT-AND-NUT CORNBREAD STUFFING



Fruit-and-Nut Cornbread Stuffing image

To make this stuffing gluten-free, use our cornbread recipe at foodnetwork.com/gfcornbread.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 2h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish
1 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 Gala or Golden Delicious apple, peeled and chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage
14 cups cubed cornbread (about 1 1/4 pounds)
1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
1 cup mixed dried fruit (such as golden raisins, apricots and/or cranberries), chopped if large
4 to 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Heat 1 stick butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, apple, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the parsley and sage and cook until softened, about 3 more minutes.
  • Put the cornbread in a large bowl and add the vegetable-apple mixture. Add the pecans and dried fruit; toss to combine. Add 4 cups chicken broth 1 cup at a time, tossing after each addition. The cornbread should feel moist but not mushy; add 1 more cup broth ¼ cup at a time if needed. Melt the remaining 1/2 stick butter and stir into the stuffing.
  • Butter a 3-quart baking dish. Add the stuffing mixture and lightly press down. Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is dry and browned, about 30 more minutes. Let stand 20 minutes before serving.

CORNBREAD DRESSING WITH DRIED FRUITS AND NUTS



Cornbread Dressing with Dried Fruits and Nuts image

Of all your favorite Thanksgiving stuffing recipes, this cornbread dressing with dried fruits and nuts should be at the top. This Southern Thanksgiving staple is a must!

Categories     Thanksgiving     side dish

Time 55m

Yield 12-15 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/2 lb. thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
5 celery stalks, diced
1 large onion, diced
6 c. low-sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp. minced fresh rosemary
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. ground thyme
2 c. dried apricots, halved
1 c. dried cherries
1 c. prunes, halved
1 lb. cornbread, cut into 1-inch cubes and dried (6 to 8 cups)
1 loaf French or Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes and dried (about 8 cups)
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 ̊. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it just begins to crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the bacon to a plate and pour off all but 2 tablespoons bacon fat. Reduce the heat to medium.
  • Add the celery and onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in the broth, then stir in the rosemary, basil and thyme. Add the dried apricots, cherries and prunes and cook over medium heat until the fruit slightly softens, about 5 minutes.
  • Combine the cornbread and French bread cubes and the fruit mixture in a large bowl along with the bacon and walnuts. Toss the mixture around, then add a little salt and pepper and continue tossing until it is all combined. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Pile the dressing in a large baking dish, pressing slightly to fit if necessary. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

WINTER FRUIT AND NUT STUFFING



Winter Fruit and Nut Stuffing image

Categories     Fruit     Nut     Side     Bake     Thanksgiving     Stuffing/Dressing     Prune     Pear     Apricot     Pecan     Fall     Bon Appétit     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter
2 large Anjou pears, peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups chopped onions
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 1/2 cups Sauternes or other sweet white wine
1 1/2 cups chopped pitted prunes
1 1/2 cups chopped dried apricots
1 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
14 cups 1/2-inch cubes crustless firm white bread (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 cup pecans, toasted, chopped

Steps:

  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pears; sprinkle with sugar. Sauté until pears are golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to very large bowl; mix in cinnamon. Melt remaining 10 tablespoons butter in same skillet over medium heat. Add onions and celery; sauté until golden, about 15 minutes. Add wine and next 5 ingredients. Simmer until liquid is reduced almost to glaze and mixture is soft and moist, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Mix into pears. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Reheat to lukewarm before continuing.)
  • Mix bread and pecans into fruit mixture. Season stuffing with salt and pepper.
  • To bake stuffing in turkey:
  • Loosely fill main cavity and neck cavity of turkey with stuffing. Generously butter baking dish. Spoon remaining stuffing into prepared dish. Cover dish with buttered foil, buttered side down. Bake stuffing in dish - alongside turkey or while turkey is resting - until heated through, about 25 minutes. Uncover stuffing in dish. Bake until top of stuffing is slightly crisp and golden, about 15 minutes longer.
  • To bake stuffing in dish:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Transfer stuffing to prepared dish. Bake uncovered until heated through, about 35 minutes.

CORNBREAD AND DRIED FRUIT DRESSING



Cornbread and Dried Fruit Dressing image

This is a biggest loser recipe served with Turkey Roulade and mushroom gravy for a Healthy holiday Meal.Total time does not include making Cornbread.

Provided by cmore

Categories     Grains

Time 25m

Yield 6 1/2 cup, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

4 cups cornbread cubes, dried (I use healthy cornbread Healthy Cornbread)
4 ounces lean Italian turkey sausage, casing removed
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup chopped yellow onions or 1 cup white onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped carrot
1 small garlic clove, crushed
dried apricot, coarsely chopped
pitted dried plum, coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 cup fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
canola oil cooking spray
1 egg, lightly beaten

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 °F. Place cornbread cubes in large bowl and set aside.
  • In small nonstick skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat, crumbling and stirring until brown and cooked through. Drain well and set aside.
  • In large nonstick skillet, heat canola oil over medium heat. Stir in onions, celery and carrot; cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute longer, but don't allow garlic to brown. Stir in sausage, apricots, plums, thyme, sage, marjoram and 1/4 cup broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes.
  • Remove from heat; pour vegetable mixture over cornbread. Add parsley and stir well. Season with salt and pepper. (Dressing may be prepared to this stage a day ahead and refrigerated, covered.).
  • Whisk together egg and remaining 3/4 cup broth and pour over cornbread mixture, tossing well. Spray 2-quart baking dish with canola oil cooking spray (use larger baking dish if not reserving dressing for Turkey Roulade) and transfer all but 1 1/2 cups of dressing to baking dish. Cover dish with foil and set aside.
  • After Turkey Roulade has been in oven 30 minutes, place covered baking dish of dressing in oven. After 15 minutes (or when internal temperature of roulade, measured with instant-read thermometer, is 155 °F), remove roulade from oven and remove foil from baking dish with dressing. Continue baking dressing for about 15 minutes or until top begins to brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 84.9, Fat 5.1, SaturatedFat 0.5, Cholesterol 41, Sodium 402.7, Carbohydrate 5.1, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 2.2, Protein 5.2

FRUIT AND NUT STUFFING



Fruit and Nut Stuffing image

Provided by Kelsey Nixon

Time 1h20m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for buttering baking dish
4 celery stalks, finely chopped (about 2 cups)
2 Golden Delicious apples, cored and chopped into 1/4-inch cubes
2 medium onions, finely chopped (about 3 cups)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
One 12-ounce bag cubed country-style stuffing
1 cup chopped dried apricots
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
4 large eggs, beaten

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
  • In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the celery, apples and onions and cook, stirring, until fragrant and softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley, sage, thyme, fennel, salt and pepper and cook for 1 more minute. Add the chicken broth and scrape up any brown bits that have formed on the bottom of the skillet, cooking for an additional minute. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cooled mixture with the stuffing, apricots, cherries, pecans and beaten eggs and mix well. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  • Bake until golden brown on top, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

CORNBREAD STUFFING WITH FRESH AND DRIED FRUIT



Cornbread Stuffing with Fresh and Dried Fruit image

Categories     Fruit     Onion     Vegetable     Side     Bake     Sauté     Christmas     Thanksgiving     Stuffing/Dressing     Prune     Apple     Apricot     Fennel     Fall     Bon Appétit     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Buttery Cornbread
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
4 cups chopped onions
4 cups chopped unpeeled McIntosh or Golden Delicious apples (about 2 large)
2 cups chopped celery with leaves
24 pitted prunes, diced (about 10 ounces)
12 dried apricot halves, diced (about 2 ounces)
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup low-salt chicken broth

Steps:

  • Cut bread lengthwise into 1-inch-wide slices. Place on baking sheet; cover with kitchen towel and let dry overnight. Cut bread slices into 1-inch cubes.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent, about 10 minutes. Add apples and celery. sauté until celery begins to soften, about 10 minutes. Scrape contents of skillet into very large bowl. Add prunes, apricots, fennel seeds, salt, pepper, and thyme; toss. Add dried bread cubes and toss until evenly combined. Transfer stuffing to prepared dish. Pour broth evenly over.
  • Bake stuffing uncovered until heated through and top begins to form crust, about 40 minutes.

DRIED FRUIT AND SAUSAGE DRESSING



Dried Fruit and Sausage Dressing image

This recipe was developed by one of our freelance food stylists, Suzanne Breckenridge. I make it every Thanksgiving, and my husband always hopes for leftovers! -Stephanie Marchese

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup port wine
8 ounces coarse-textured white bread
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1 medium tart apple, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons golden raisins
2 tablespoons chopped dried apricots
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
3 to 4 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Crumble sausage into a small skillet; cook over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain and set aside. In the same skillet, saute onion and celery in butter until tender. Add wine; simmer for 2 minutes., Cut crusts from the bread if desired; tear bread into small pieces. Place in a bowl; add the sausage, onion mixture and remaining ingredients. Mix lightly. Transfer to a greased shallow 1-1/2-qt. baking dish., Cover and bake at 325° for 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer or until lightly browned.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • Use a variety of dried fruits and nuts. This will give your dressing a complex flavor and texture. Some good choices include cranberries, raisins, apricots, walnuts, pecans, and almonds.
  • Toast the nuts before using them. This will bring out their flavor and make them more crunchy.
  • Use a flavorful bread. Cornbread is a classic choice for dressing, but you can also use sourdough, white bread, or even French bread.
  • Don't overmix the dressing. Overmixing will make it dense and dry. Just mix until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the dressing until it is golden brown and crispy. This will give it a delicious flavor and texture.

Conclusion:

Dried fruit and nut cornbread dressing is a delicious and festive side dish that is perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you are looking for a special dressing, give this recipe a try.

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