Easy Cranberry Sauce (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 cup white sugar (or substitute with 3/4 cup pure honey or real maple syrup for natural sweetness)
02 -
3/4 cup filtered water
03 -
12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
→ Optional Flavor Enhancers
04 -
2 strips fresh lemon peel plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
05 -
2 strips fresh orange peel plus 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
06 -
1/2 cup dried sweet cherries
07 -
1/2 stick ground cinnamon
# Instructions:
01 -
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk together your chosen sweetener with the water over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar completely dissolves into a clear syrup. If using liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, you can add everything at once.
02 -
Toss in the cranberries and bring the mixture to a gentle bubbling boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer without a lid, stirring every few minutes. Watch as the cranberries start popping and releasing their natural pectin - this takes about 12 to 15 minutes until you have a thick, glossy sauce.
03 -
Taste and adjust sweetness as needed - some people love it tart, others prefer it sweeter. Remove from heat and let it cool completely to room temperature before serving. The sauce will thicken even more as it cools.
# Notes:
01 -
This classic holiday sauce develops the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors that complement rich dishes beautifully.
02 -
Fresh cranberries work best, but frozen ones are perfectly fine - just don't thaw them first.
03 -
The sauce will keep fresh in your refrigerator for up to one week, or you can freeze portions for up to three months.
04 -
Natural sweeteners like maple syrup create a more complex flavor profile than regular sugar.