Description
This festive homemade cranberry sauce recipe offers a delightful departure from the canned stuff, boasting a fresh burst of citrus and warm spice that will elevate your holiday table.
Ingredients
1 bag (12 oz) fresh or frozen whole cranberries
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
1 tbsp orange zest
1 cinnamon stick
1/4 tsp ground cloves
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon stick, and cloves over medium heat.
Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves and it reaches a gentle boil.
Lower the heat and let it simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to burst.
Remove the cinnamon stick and let the sauce cool completely. It will thicken as it cools.
You can mash some of the cranberries for a chunkier texture if you like.
Once cooled, cover and chill until you are ready to serve.
Notes
You can use either fresh or frozen whole cranberries for this recipe. Frozen cranberries often release more juice as they cook, which can result in a slightly saucier consistency.
Freshly squeezed juice offers the best flavor, imparting a lovely bright citrus note that complements the cranberries beautifully.
Don’t skip the zest! The zest adds an intense, aromatic orange flavor that makes the sauce truly special.
Infuses a warm, comforting spice into the sauce.
A little goes a long way to add a deep, festive aroma and flavor.
Keep an eye on the sauce as it simmers. While stirring occasionally is good, avoid over-stirring, which can break down the cranberries too much if you prefer a chunkier texture.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Protein: N/A