Description
Joanna Gaines cranberry sauce delivers a festive blend of tart and sweet, elevating holiday tables with its rustic charm. Homemade goodness shines through with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and a hint of warmth you’ll savor until the last delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (12 ounces / 340 grams) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup (200 grams / 7 ounces) sugar
- 1 cup (250 milliliters / 8.5 fluid ounces) water
Optional Add-Ins:
- Pecans
- Orange zest
- Raisins
- Currants
- Blueberries
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Allspice
Instructions
- Meticulously inspect and cleanse fresh cranberries under cool running water, carefully removing any blemished or imperfect berries from the colander.
- In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water, placing over high heat and stirring continuously until the sugar crystals completely dissolve and the liquid reaches a rolling boil.
- Gently introduce the cleaned cranberries into the bubbling sugar syrup, stirring to ensure even distribution and allowing the mixture to return to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, allowing the cranberries to simmer gently for approximately 10 minutes, watching as the berries begin to burst and release their natural pectin, creating a vibrant and glossy sauce.
- For enhanced flavor complexity, consider incorporating optional mix-ins such as finely chopped pecans (1/4 cup or 30 grams), freshly grated orange zest (1 tablespoon), or a sprinkle of warming spices like ground cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon) or nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon).
- Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the cranberry sauce to cool naturally at room temperature, which will help it thicken and develop a more intense flavor profile.
- Transfer the sauce to a clean serving bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to achieve optimal consistency and allow the flavors to meld together completely.
- Serve chilled as a vibrant accompaniment to roasted meats, holiday dishes, or as a tangy spread for leftover sandwiches and appetizers.
Notes
- Cranberry sauce becomes a flavor powerhouse when made a day ahead, allowing ingredients to mingle and intensify.
- Cooling transforms the sauce’s texture, so resist the urge to panic about initial runny consistency.
- Spice additions require a delicate touch, with tiny pinches of cinnamon or nutmeg gradually building complex flavor profiles.
- Sweetness balancing happens through careful tasting, using sugar or lemon juice to create perfect tangy-sweet harmony.
- Gentle simmering ensures cranberries burst just enough to release their vibrant flavor without turning into a mushy mess.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0.1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg