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Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce

November 27, 2013

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Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce

I’m guessing there’s a good chance you’re stressed out right now.  Maybe you’re wrapping up things at work before scurrying home to . . . well, work some more.  Perhaps you’re traveling and hoping Mother Nature doesn’t affect your plans.  Who decided all major holidays should be in the middle of winter?  Or maybe you’re at home prepping food and the house for tomorrow, taking one final inventory of the pantry before you head to the store along with everyone else in the world.  I feel your pain on that one.  I’ll be at the grocery store today.  You might also have guests arriving soon, adding to the to do list.

While I don’t travel on Thanksgiving anymore, I have, so I know what you’re going through.  It can be chaos.  Packing, traveling, unpacking, cooking.  It’s enough to make us forget what this day is all about.  Sure it’s about fantastic food, watching football and parades, putting up Christmas decorations.  But mostly, it’s about spending time with the people we love and enjoying their company.  It’s about being thankful.

Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce

My best advice?  Take a deep breath.  That’s it.  Right now.  Stop what you’re doing and just breathe.  One or five minutes isn’t going to ruin everything and throw your schedule into shambles.  A few minutes now will ensure calm success later.

To help you out more, I made Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce.  I don’t really eat any traditional foods on Thanksgiving.  Filet mignon is on the menu at my house.  One of the reasons I don’t like Thanksgiving food is because much of it comes from a can, and homemade food is much tastier. I know it’s easier to use canned foods, but with this cranberry sauce there are no excuses.  A few simple ingredients, little prep time, and ten minutes on the stove give you thick, flavorful, homemade cranberry sauce.  It has the perfect balance of tart and sweet, enhanced by plump dried cherries.  Maple syrup gives a smooth flavor that adds complexity, not just sweetness.  It’s also vegan and gluten free, meaning everyone at your Thanksgiving feast can enjoy it!  Best of all, you can make it today and serve tomorrow!  This is sure to become a new Thanksgiving tradition!

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Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce

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Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce


★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: Varies
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 12 ounce bag fresh cranberries, washed and picked over
  • ½ cup dried tart cherries
  • Zest of one orange
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together cranberries, cherries, orange zest, cinnamon, water, sugar, and maple syrup. Bring to a boil while stirring frequently. Continue to cook until the sauce has thickened and most of the berries have burst, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm, room temperature or chilled. Sauce may be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes

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Filed Under: No Bake, Sweet Sauce Tagged With: Cherries, Cinnamon, Cranberries, Gluten Free, Maple Syrup, No Bake, Orange, Thanksgiving, Vegan

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Comments

  1. Johlene says

    November 27, 2013 at 6:16 am

    I love the flavour combination of this recipe! I´ve wanted to make something with cranberries, zest of orange and cinnamon for weeks now.. I´m still thinking if I should make a loaf bread, muffins or just something completely different. Thanks for inspiring me once again 🙂 Xx

    Reply
    • Laura says

      November 27, 2013 at 11:36 am

      Cranberry muffins are my favorite. A little orange zest and juice and cinnamon and a crumb topping – yum! It made my day to hear that I inspire you! Thank you so much, Johlene 🙂

      Reply
  2. Ashley says

    November 27, 2013 at 6:47 am

    I’m so thankful we’re not traveling this Thanksgiving … it can be so stressful! Instead I have a little work to do and then it’s cooking cooking cooking. Which, not gonna lie, I’m pretty excited about : ) Have a fantastic Thanksgiving!!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      November 27, 2013 at 11:35 am

      Happy Thanksgiving, Ashley!

      Reply
  3. Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says

    November 27, 2013 at 10:10 am

    This looks so much better than that jelly from a can!

    and this is my last year of a peaceful Thanksgiving. Next year I’m gonna have to figure out how to divide time between mine and Michael’s family’s *sigh*

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      November 27, 2013 at 11:35 am

      Dividing time between families is so tough. Maybe you can do one for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas. That always worked the best for us.

      Reply
      • Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says

        November 27, 2013 at 1:03 pm

        ha! If only it were that easy. Both of our parents our divorced, and his dad is remarried.
        So we have: my dad’s side. My mom’s side. His dad’s side. His stepmom’s side. and his mom’s side. For a grand total of 5 families. We’re def. not doing all, it’s just a matter of figuring out what we go to.

        ★★★★★

        Reply
  4. Manhattan Image and Style says

    November 27, 2013 at 10:12 am

    This is great and very timely! I will be making this recipe tomorrow! Thank you so much for sharing! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! <3

    Diana
    http://www.ManhattanImageandStyle.com
    New Blog Post: Count & Share Your Blessings This Season

    Reply
    • Laura says

      November 27, 2013 at 10:33 am

      I hope you love it as much as I did! Thanks, Diana! Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  5. Deb says

    November 27, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    Our Thanksgiving celebration will include turkey, stuffing and gravy….all the usual suspects! My family longs for the taste of tradition! Homemade cranberry sauce will fit it nicely! A fabulous addition and so much better than the can from the store!

    Reply
  6. Abbe@This is How I Cook says

    November 27, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    Love the cherries in this! Have a great Thanksgiving, Laura!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      November 28, 2013 at 11:47 am

      Happy Thanksgiving, Abbe!

      Reply
  7. John@Kitchen Riffs says

    November 27, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    Never added cherries to my cranberry – I should. This looks terrific. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      November 28, 2013 at 11:47 am

      Happy Thanksgiving, John!

      Reply
  8. vanillasugarblog says

    November 29, 2013 at 7:56 pm

    I know once you make it for the first time, it’s like so easy, and you’re like “why didn’t I do this sooner in life?” LOL

    Reply
    • Laura says

      November 30, 2013 at 10:12 am

      So many things are like that. It’s all this is so easy and so much tastier than store bought.

      Reply
  9. Christina says

    November 13, 2022 at 12:46 pm

    This is by far the best cranberry sauce! I saved it on Food 52 years ago and make it EVERY year. It is now removed from their site so I had to stalk your website for the recipe! Thank you for your contribution and I have saved your site in my favs!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      December 15, 2022 at 2:14 pm

      Thank you, Christina! I am glad you found it here. I still see it on Food52, so I’m not sure what’s going on. But the story had a happy ending, so that’s all that matters 🙂

      Reply
  10. Hugh says

    January 15, 2023 at 1:50 pm

    I went hunting for this recipe where I originally found it (and bookmarked it), and poof, under the original “secret ingredient” title, it defaulted to a rather anodyne substitute. I commented, and another visitor to the site, did a search (thanking me for remembering your name), and there it was. I’ve made it 2 years in a row, and it always draws the comments we all hope for when contributing an essential side at Thanksgiving. Apologies for no writing sooner.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      January 20, 2023 at 2:36 pm

      Hi Hugh! I am so glad the recipe has made such a big impact! I have no idea what happened on Food52, but it will definitely always be available here 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

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Welcome to Pies and Plots. I’m Laura Dembowski, writer, baker, and fashionista sharing recipes, reviews, and tips to inspire you to enjoy life both inside and outside the kitchen.
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