Side Dishes Snacks

Perfectly Sweet and Tart Cranberry Sauce

November 16, 2017
homemade cranberry sauce has the right combination of sweetness and tartness
homemade cranberry sauce has the right combination of sweetness and tartness

Homemade cranberry sauce is a staple in my home during November and December. I prefer homemade over canned. What about you?  This recipe yields a perfect combination of tart and sweet.

Homemade cranberry sauce can be made very quickly, this recipe is done in 10 minutes and it’s super easy. Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Once it is done I use the back of a wooden spoon to mash the cranberries. I keep some whole and mash the others. You can eat it warm or cold.

homemade cranberry sauce has the right combination of sweetness and tartness

There are many variations of cranberry sauce. I have made it with orange added and that is so yummy! However, my go to recipe I use brown sugar along with white sugar and apple cider instead of water. I also add cinnamon and cloves. The use of apple cider lets me use less sugar, 1/2 cup less than most recipes. I also add half an apple. The brown sugar and spices add a warmth to the cranberries. It’s not an overwhelming flavor, it’s very slight and it goes wonderfully with turkey.

My husband and daughter like to eat it with a spoon by itself as a snack, I like that too, but topped on turkey is the best!

I use apple cider in a lot of recipes during this time of year. Here are a couple of other recipes I use it in: Pumpkin Apple Walnut Bread and Simple Applesauce. These would be nice additions to your holiday table.

homemade cranberry sauce has the right combination of sweetness and tartness

 

Perfectly Sweet and Tart Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 12oz pkg fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 apple, cubed
  • 1/2 cup apple cider
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp cloves

Instructions

  1. In a saucepan combine all ingredients and stir to combine. Once it starts to boil lower heat to medium.

  2. Cook for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and smash cranberries with back of a spoon to desired chunkiness.

  3. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools. Store in the refrigerator.


How do you eat your cranberry sauce? Let me know how the recipe turned out for you.

4 Comments

  • Reply Ashley November 23, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    What kind of apple do you use?

    • Reply Allison November 23, 2020 at 3:12 pm

      You’ll probably want to use an apple that is one the sweeter side. You may not want to use a granny smith or another tart apple since the cranberries are super tart. Some of the ones I have used are gala, fuji, pinova, pink lady, and honeycrisp. Pretty much anything I have on hand. Hope you enjoy it!

  • Reply Kyla Matton Osborne November 20, 2017 at 9:37 am

    I haven’t attempted cranberry sauce in a number of years, mostly because I can’t get the rest of the family to eat it. But if I ever do try it again, I want to use this recipe. I love the addition of the apple cider!

    • Reply Allison November 20, 2017 at 1:35 pm

      This cranberry sauce also makes a great snack so you could just make it for yourself, hehe.

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