Description
This homemade Cranberry Apple Sauce recipe takes the classic tartness of cranberries and mellows it with the natural sweetness of crisp apples and a hint of warm cinnamon. It’s a simple, one-pot wonder that transforms humble ingredients into a vibrant, flavorful compote that is infinitely better than the canned version. Get ready to impress your guests with this fresh, zesty, and perfectly balanced holiday staple!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 3/4 cup Water (or orange juice for extra citrus flavor)
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 12 ounces Fresh Cranberries, rinsed
- 1 cup Tart Apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), diced
Instructions
- Create the Syrup Base: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the granulated sugar, water, ground cinnamon, and salt. Whisk gently as it comes to a boil to ensure the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add the Fruit: Once the syrup is boiling and clear, stir in the rinsed cranberries and diced tart apples. Reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Simmer to Perfection: Let the mixture simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. The sauce is done when most of the berries have burst, the apples are tender, and the liquid has thickened into a jam-like consistency.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from heat. Transfer to a serving dish or container. Let it cool completely to room temperature before serving or chilling. The sauce will thicken significantly as it cools.
Notes
- Apple Texture: Peel the apples for a smoother texture, or leave the skins on for a more rustic look and added fiber. Dice them small so they cook through at the same rate as the cranberries.
- Thickening: Don’t worry if it looks slightly loose when you take it off the heat. The natural pectin in the fruit causes the sauce to thicken significantly as it cools.
- Make Ahead: This sauce tastes best after the flavors have had a chance to meld for a few hours or overnight in the fridge, making it the perfect low-stress holiday side.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Sauce, Holiday
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 100 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
