Ina Garten’s Magical Holiday Cranberry Fruit Conserve Recipe

Bursting with vibrant color and tangy sweetness, this cranberry fruit conserve from Ina Garten brings festive cheer to any holiday table.

Seasonal berries simmer into a luxurious spread that captures the essence of autumn’s bounty.

Fresh cranberries dance with citrus notes, creating a condiment that sparkles with bright, complex flavors.

The recipe balances tart and sweet with elegant simplicity, making it a standout accompaniment to roasted meats or morning toast.

Homemade preserves always taste better than store-bought versions, delivering rich depth and personal touch.

You’ll love how quickly this conserve comes together, turning simple ingredients into something truly special.

Let this delightful recipe become your new favorite seasonal tradition.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 276 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients Used in Ina Garten Cranberry Fruit Conserve

• Cranberries: Bright red berries that provide tart flavor and beautiful deep crimson color, best when firm and plump with no soft spots.
• Apple: Adds natural sweetness and helps thicken the conserve, choose crisp and slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith for best texture.

• Orange: Brings bright, sunny zest and juice that balances cranberry's sharpness, select ripe, fragrant oranges with smooth skin.
• Lemon: Provides fresh acidic notes and helps preserve the conserve's vibrant color, look for lemons with smooth, glossy exterior.

• Sugar: Softens cranberries' harsh bite and creates silky consistency, use granulated white sugar for clean sweetness.
• Raisins: Introduces chewy sweetness and depth, golden or dark raisins work well depending on preference.
• Chopped Nuts: Delivers delightful crunch and earthy undertones, toasted pecans or walnuts complement the conserve beautifully.

• Water: Helps create smooth cooking environment and prevents burning, use filtered water for purest flavor.

Equipment List for Ina Garten Cranberry Fruit Conserve

• Large Saucepan: Essential for cooking cranberries and developing the conserve's rich flavor.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for chopping apples, zesting citrus, and chopping nuts precisely.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for preparing ingredients safely and cleanly.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring the conserve without scratching the pan.
• Measuring Cups: Helps measure water and ingredients accurately.
• Zester or Grater: Needed to remove zest from oranges and lemons smoothly.
• Citrus Juicer: Optional tool for extracting fresh orange and lemon juice easily.

How to Make Ina Garten Cranberry Fruit Conserve

• Cranberry Warmup

Toss vibrant red cranberries into a cozy saucepan with sweet sugar and water, letting them bubble and dance until their skins softly burst and release their ruby essence.

• Fruity Symphony

Introduce cheerful diced apple chunks, bright orange and lemon zest with their tangy juices, creating a luscious blend that sings with citrusy notes and warmth.

• Nutty Finale

Pull the simmering mixture off the heat, then gently fold in plump raisins and crunchy chopped nuts, transforming the conserve into a textural celebration of flavor.

• Chilled Delight

Allow the conserve to cool completely, letting its complex flavors meld and settle, then refrigerate until wonderfully refreshed and ready to serve as a festive companion to holiday meals.

Helpful Tips for Ina Garten Cranberry Fruit Conserve

• Swap white sugar with dark brown sugar or maple syrup for a deeper, more complex sweetness that complements the tart cranberries.
• Experiment with different chopped nuts like pecans, almonds, or walnuts to create unique texture and subtle flavor variations.
• Add warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger during cooking to enhance the conserve's aromatic profile and create a festive twist.
• Prepare the conserve up to a week in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
• Spread on toast, pair with roasted meats, use as a holiday side dish, or fold into yogurt for a delightful breakfast treat.

Serving Ideas for Ina Garten Cranberry Fruit Conserve

• Pair with Warm Toasted Bread: Spread this vibrant conserve on crispy, golden-brown toast for a delightful breakfast or snack that bursts with tangy and sweet flavors.
• Create Holiday Cheese Platter: Serve alongside creamy brie, sharp cheddar, and soft goat cheese to add a festive touch to your appetizer spread during seasonal gatherings.
• Dollop on Desserts: Enhance vanilla ice cream, cheesecake, or pound cake with a generous spoonful of this cranberry conserve for an extra layer of fruity excitement.
• Blend into Morning Yogurt: Mix into Greek yogurt for a quick, nutritious breakfast that transforms plain dairy into a zesty, colorful morning treat.

Storage Guide for Ina Garten Cranberry Fruit Conserve

• Store Smartly: Transfer the cranberry fruit conserve to an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption.
• Refrigerate Quickly: Cool the conserve completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for up to 7-10 days, ensuring maximum taste and texture preservation.
• Freeze for Later: Portion the conserve into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight headspace, and freeze for up to 3 months to enjoy seasonal flavors year-round.
• Serve with Creativity: Pull out the conserve as a vibrant side dish for holiday meals, spread on morning toast, or use as a tangy complement to roasted meats and cheese platters.

Festive Cranberry Fruit Conserve Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s cranberry fruit conserve blends tart cranberries with orange zest and port wine for a sophisticated seasonal preserve. Complex flavors meld together, creating a versatile condiment perfect for holiday tables and gourmet cheese pairings.

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Ingredients

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• 1 12-oz (340 g) bag fresh cranberries, cleaned
• 1 ¾ cups (350 g) sugar
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
• ¾ cup (120 g) raisins
• ¾ cup (85 g) chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 orange, zest grated and juiced
• 1 lemon, zest grated and juiced

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Instructions

1. Cranberry Preparation: Combine cranberries, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan, gently simmering until berries burst and break down, creating a vibrant base for the conserve.
2. Fruit and Zest Integration: Add diced apples, orange and lemon zest, along with their respective juices to the simmering mixture, stirring periodically until apples soften and liquid condenses into a rich, aromatic compote.
3. Nutty Embellishment: Remove from heat and fold in golden raisins and chopped walnuts or pecans, ensuring a balanced distribution of textures and flavors throughout the conserve.
4. Cooling and Setting: Transfer the warm mixture to a clean glass container, allowing it to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to develop a jellied consistency and intensify the flavor profile.

Notes

• Boost Cranberry Texture: Gently simmer cranberries to help skins burst naturally, creating a smoother, more integrated conserve without mashing.
• Manage Liquid Consistency: Watch the reduction process carefully to achieve a perfect jam-like thickness without overcooking the fruits.
• Select Nuts Wisely: Choose fresh, high-quality walnuts or pecans to add rich, complementary crunch and depth to the conserve’s flavor profile.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Allow sufficient refrigeration time to let ingredients meld and develop a deeper, more complex taste sensation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Breakfast, Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 276
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7.3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg