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Cranberry Sauce: 1 Amazing Easy Recipe

Cranberry Sauce

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This homemade cranberry sauce recipe is quick, easy, and bursting with fresh flavor. Made with simple ingredients like cranberries, brown sugar, and orange, it’s the perfect balance of tart and sweet for any meal, especially holidays.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (about 3 cups) fresh or frozen cranberries, rinsed
  • 3/4 cup (150g) water
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) fresh orange juice (from about 1/2 large orange)
  • 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Rinse the cranberries and set aside 1/2 cup for later.
  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the remaining cranberries, water, orange juice, and brown sugar.
  3. Stir occasionally and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  4. Reduce heat to low-medium and continue cooking for about 15 minutes, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the reserved 1/2 cup cranberries, orange zest, and vanilla extract.
  6. Let cool. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
  7. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Use fresh or frozen cranberries, but not dried.
  • Zest the orange before juicing to avoid difficulty.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Can be made up to 3 days ahead of time.
  • Adjust sugar to taste—use up to 1 cup for a sweeter sauce.

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