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–+ servings
Cranberry Sauce

Ultimate Cranberry Sauce with Tangy Sweet Flavor Boost

This homemade cranberry sauce elevates your holiday meals with a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Calories: 100
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 12 oz Fresh Cranberries Use only firm, fresh berries and discard any mushy ones.
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar Can be substituted with brown sugar or honey for a richer flavor.
  • 1 cup Water Adjust based on desired thickness.
  • 1 tbsp Orange Zest Consider adding lemon zest for sharper taste.
  • 1 stick Cinnamon Stick Omit if unavailable, use 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon instead.

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Rinse cranberries under cold running water, discard mushy or shriveled ones, then pat dry.
  2. Combine rinsed cranberries, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan; stir until sugar dissolves, then bring to a gentle boil.
  3. Reduce heat and stir in orange zest and cinnamon stick; simmer for about a minute.
  4. Maintain a gentle simmer for 10-15 minutes while stirring occasionally until sauce thickens.
  5. Remove from heat, discard cinnamon stick, cool, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 100kcalCarbohydrates: 27gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 2gSugar: 24gVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Customize by adjusting sweetness or adding a splash of orange juice for extra flavor. Prepare a week in advance for best results.

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