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Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Cinnamon

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This homemade cranberry sauce with orange and cinnamon is quick, easy, and perfectly balanced. It’s a crowd-pleasing holiday side dish that’s naturally gluten-free and vegan.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 whole cinnamon stick
  • ½ cup (120 ml) water
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the cranberries under cold water and pick out any that are soft or shriveled. Zest the orange before juicing it. Measure out your sugar, water, and juice so everything is ready to go.
  2. In a medium saucepan, add the orange juice, water, and sugar. Stir them together over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Toss in the cinnamon stick and orange zest. Let them infuse for about a minute while the liquid simmers.
  4. Pour in the cranberries and give everything a good stir. Turn the heat up to medium-high until the mixture comes to a boil.
  5. Once boiling, lower the heat to medium-low so it stays at a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Most of the cranberries will have burst, and the sauce will thicken as it cools.
  6. After 10 minutes, take a spoon and drag it through the sauce. If it leaves a clear path that slowly fills back in, it’s done. If still watery, simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes.
  7. Remove the cinnamon stick with a spoon or tongs. Taste the sauce and adjust sweetness if needed—add a tablespoon more sugar if too tart.
  8. Let the sauce cool in the pot for 10 minutes, then transfer to a serving bowl. Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold.

Notes

Don’t walk away from the pot; cranberries can scorch quickly. Use a heavy-bottomed pan to prevent burning. Start with less sugar and adjust to taste. Let the sauce cool completely before judging consistency. Double the batch for holidays—it keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, orange cranberry sauce, cinnamon cranberry sauce, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving cranberry sauce, easy cranberry sauce

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/homemade-cranberry-sauce-with-orange-and-cinnamon/