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Cozy Christmas Simmer Pot with Orange and Cinnamon

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A simple stovetop simmer pot that fills your home with the warm, inviting scent of cranberries, orange, and cinnamon. Perfect for holiday entertaining or cozy nights in, this recipe requires no baking and uses simple ingredients to create an instant festive atmosphere.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (about 200g)
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves (optional but recommended)
  • 1–2 star anise (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 6–8 cups water (enough to cover ingredients)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Rinse cranberries in a colander. Slice orange into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Set out cinnamon sticks, cloves, and any other spices.
  2. Layer everything in the pot: Place cranberries in the bottom of a medium to large pot. Lay orange slices on top, tuck cinnamon sticks and cloves between slices. Add star anise or herbs if using. Pour vanilla extract over everything.
  3. Add water: Pour in enough water to cover all ingredients by about an inch (about 6-8 cups), leaving room to prevent boiling over.
  4. Bring to a gentle boil: Set pot over medium-high heat until small bubbles form around edges. Once it reaches a gentle boil, reduce heat to low.
  5. Simmer and enjoy: Let pot simmer on low heat. Stir gently every 30 minutes. Scent will fill your kitchen within 10-15 minutes.
  6. Top off water as needed: Check every hour and add about 1 cup of water if level drops below ingredients.
  7. Strain and store: When done, let cool completely. Strain out solids and compost them. Store liquid in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat to use again.

Notes

For best results, keep the pot at a low, gentle simmer to prevent water from evaporating too quickly. The scent is strongest in the first 2-3 hours, so start about an hour before guests arrive. To refresh after 3-4 hours, add a handful of fresh cranberries and a few new orange slices. For convenience, use a slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours. Toast cinnamon sticks and cloves in the dry pot for 30 seconds before adding water for a more aromatic scent. Do not drink the liquid; it is for fragrance only.

Nutrition

Keywords: simmer pot, Christmas, holiday, cranberry, orange, cinnamon, stovetop fragrance, homemade air freshener, cozy, winter

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/cozy-christmas-simmer-pot-with-orange-and-cinnamon/