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.
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.
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
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In a saucepan combine all ingredients and stir to combine. Once it starts to boil lower heat to medium.
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Cook for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and smash cranberries with back of a spoon to desired chunkiness.
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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
What kind of apple do you use?
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!
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!
This cranberry sauce also makes a great snack so you could just make it for yourself, hehe.