CFC’s Festive Homemade Cranberry Sauce!
A vibrant, sweet-tart homemade cranberry sauce with orange zest, warm spices, and a hint of vanilla. It’s quick to prepare, full of festive flavor, and a perfect accompaniment to any holiday meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 12 ounces (340 g) fresh cranberries, rinsed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange juice
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Add the cranberries and return to a simmer.
- Stir in the orange zest, orange juice, and cinnamon stick.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until most cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, if using.
- Allow the sauce to cool. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Transfer to a container and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- Frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh and don’t need to be thawed.
- To reduce sugar, use ¾ cup for a more tart flavor or substitute honey or brown sugar for a different sweetness profile.
- For a smoother sauce, blend slightly after cooling.
- Can be made up to 10 days in advance for stress-free holiday prep.
- Optional spices like cloves, nutmeg, or star anise can be added for extra festive warmth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
