If a recipe calls for white beans, such as cannelini beans can I use cranberry beans instead? Would I need to change the recipe at all?

No haxgirl, you don't have to change the recipe. Both those beans can be substituted quite easily in any recipe that you have for either one. Mangia! :)

:D 9 times out of ten I change beans in recipes and it makes no difference at all its all about experimenting and adjusting recipes to your liking.