Description
Cranberry sauce elevates holiday tables with its perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors. Homemade goodness sings through each spoonful, promising memories of warmth and festive cheer you’ll savor long after the meal ends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) fresh cranberries
- 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) water
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) orange juice
Optional Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Sort through fresh cranberries, removing any bruised or discolored fruit, then thoroughly rinse under cool water.
- Transfer cranberries into a medium saucepan, combining with granulated sugar, water, and freshly squeezed orange juice.
- Heat the mixture over medium-high temperature, stirring gently until it reaches a rolling boil, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low, allowing the cranberries to gently simmer and gradually break down, creating a rich, vibrant sauce.
- Continue cooking for 12-15 minutes, periodically stirring and watching the berries burst and transform into a glossy, spreadable consistency.
- Enhance the sauce’s complexity by incorporating fragrant orange zest and warm ground cinnamon, stirring to distribute evenly.
- Remove from heat and let the cranberry sauce rest at room temperature, where it will naturally continue to thicken and develop deeper flavors.
- Transfer to a serving bowl or storage container, allowing the sauce to cool completely before refrigerating or serving.
Notes
- Rinse cranberries thoroughly under cold water to ensure no debris or stems remain, selecting only plump, firm berries for the best texture and flavor.
- Adjust sugar levels based on personal preference or dietary needs, using alternatives like honey, maple syrup, or stevia for a lower-sugar version.
- For a more complex flavor profile, experiment with additional spices like ginger, nutmeg, or a splash of vanilla extract to elevate the traditional cranberry sauce.
- Make ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify over time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 106
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg