Description
This classic Christmas Cranberry Sauce recipe delivers the perfect balance of tart and sweet, enhanced with fresh orange zest and cinnamon. Easy to prepare on the stovetop, this homemade sauce adds festive flavor and a vibrant pop of color to your holiday meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 orange, zested and juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Rinse Cranberries: Rinse the fresh cranberries thoroughly under cold running water to remove any debris or impurities.
- Combine Liquids and Sugar: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, and the juice of one orange. Stir the mixture well.
- Boil Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the liquid to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar has fully dissolved.
- Add Cranberries and Cinnamon: Once the mixture is boiling, add the rinsed cranberries and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon along with the orange zest to the saucepan.
- Simmer the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
- Cool the Sauce: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the cranberry sauce to cool to room temperature before serving or refrigerating.
Notes
- For a smoother sauce, pulse the cooled mixture in a food processor before serving.
- Adjust the sweetness by increasing or decreasing the sugar according to your taste preference.
- This sauce can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Adding a pinch of ground cloves can enhance the holiday flavor profile.
- Use fresh cranberries for best results; frozen can be substituted but may affect texture slightly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas Cranberry Sauce, Holiday Sauce, Cranberry Recipe, Festive Sauce, Orange Cranberry Sauce, Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce
