Dessert

Crisp Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad Recipe

ByLana Polati November 25, 2025November 25, 2025

Introduction

This Crisp Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad is a refreshing blend of tart apples, sweet cranberries, and crunchy walnuts all tossed in a creamy, spiced dressing. It’s an easy, colorful salad perfect for a quick snack or a festive side dish. The combination of textures and flavors makes it a crowd-pleaser any time of the year.

The image shows a close-up of a creamy Waldorf salad in a white bowl, filled with chunky cubes of red apple with bright red skin, pale green apple pieces, and some diced white celery lightly coated in a creamy, speckled dressing. Scattered atop and throughout are whole and halved pecans with a rich brown color and wrinkled texture, along with dark red dried cranberries glistening slightly from the dressing. The white marbled background softens the focus on the bowl, drawing attention to the fresh and textured fruit and nut mix. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 oz Neufchatel cheese (room temperature)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
8 oz light sour cream
1 cup chopped walnuts (toasted for extra flavor)
2 cups cold water
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup dried cranberries
4 lbs crisp apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine the room temperature Neufchatel cheese, packed light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Beat these ingredients for about 3 minutes until well combined and creamy. Then, incorporate the light sour cream and vanilla extract, blending until smooth.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the cold water and fresh lemon juice to create a lemon-water bath that prevents browning.
Step 3: Core and chop your apples into bite-sized pieces. Immediately toss them into the lemon-water mixture for about 1 minute, fully submerging, then drain well.
Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained apple pieces, about three-quarters of the chopped walnuts, and three-quarters of the dried cranberries.
Step 5: Add the prepared creamy dressing from Step 1 to the apple mixture. Gently toss everything together until the apples are thoroughly coated with the dressing.
Step 6: Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
Step 7: Just before serving, sprinkle the remaining chopped walnuts and dried cranberries over the top for added texture and visual appeal.
Step 8: Keep the fruit salad cold until ready to enjoy; it’s best served fresh.

Tips & Variations

Toast the walnuts before chopping to enhance their flavor and crunch.
Use a mix of apple varieties for a balance of sweet and tart flavors.
For a lighter version, substitute light sour cream with Greek yogurt.
Add a handful of fresh mint leaves for a fresh herbal note.

Storage

Store the salad covered in the refrigerator and consume within 1 to 2 days for best freshness. The lemon-water bath helps prevent apple browning, but the apples will slowly soften over time. Give the salad a gentle toss before serving if it has been stored. It’s best enjoyed chilled and fresh rather than reheated.

How to Serve

A white bowl is filled with a salad made of chopped green apple pieces with red skin bits, creamy white dressing, bright red dried cranberries, and crunchy brown walnut halves. The salad has a mix of smooth and rough textures, with the shiny apple pieces contrasting against the wrinkled cranberries and crumbled walnuts. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, with part of a green plant and a brown bowl slightly blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare it a few hours in advance and refrigerate it. To keep the apples from browning and maintaining crunch, make sure to submerge them in the lemon-water bath right after chopping.

What if I don’t have Neufchatel cheese?

Neufchatel cheese is similar to cream cheese but with a lower fat content. You can substitute it with regular cream cheese, but allow it to soften to room temperature to blend smoothly.