Easy Joy Of Cooking Cranberry Sauce Recipe That Sparkles

Cranberry sauce marks a vibrant culinary tradition that transforms simple ingredients into a rich, jewel-toned delicacy.

Sweet and tart sensations dance together in this classic recipe, creating a complex flavor profile that elevates seasonal gatherings.

Our carefully crafted approach transforms humble berries into a spectacular accompaniment that tingles taste buds and awakens memories.

Regional cooks have long appreciated the magical alchemy of transforming raw cranberries into a glistening, spoonable condiment.

Fresh ingredients and minimal processing allow natural flavors to shine brilliantly across holiday tables.

Familiar yet sophisticated, this sauce represents more than a mere side dish – it connects generations through shared culinary experiences.

Craft your own version and watch how quickly it becomes a beloved family tradition.

Why Cranberry Sauce Steals the Show

• Effortlessly Create a Classic Condiment: This cranberry sauce recipe transforms simple ingredients into a delightful holiday staple with minimal cooking skills required, making it perfect for both novice and experienced home cooks.
• Burst of Festive Flavor: The combination of tart cranberries and sweet syrup creates a vibrant, tangy sauce that perfectly complements traditional holiday meals, adding a bright pop of color and taste to your plate.
• Quick and Stress-Free Preparation: With just 20 minutes of cooking time and straightforward steps, this recipe offers a stress-free way to elevate your holiday spread without spending hours in the kitchen, giving you more time to enjoy with family and friends.
• Versatile Seasonal Delight: Beyond being a traditional Thanksgiving accompaniment, this homemade cranberry sauce can be used as a spread, topping, or condiment for various dishes, making it a multipurpose culinary gem that extends beyond a single meal.

Tangy-Sweet Essentials for Cranberry Sauce

• Sugar: Sweet foundation that helps create the syrup and balances the tart cranberries.
• Water: Essential liquid for dissolving sugar and creating the syrup base.
• Cranberries: Tart and vibrant berries that provide the primary flavor and texture of the sauce.

• Orange Zest: Bright citrus addition that adds a subtle aromatic note to the cranberry sauce.

• Water: Primary liquid used to create the syrup and cook the cranberries.

Easy Steps to a Perfect Cranberry Sauce

Step 1: Gather Cooking Essentials

• Water
• Granulated sugar
• Fresh cranberries
• Orange zest (optional)

Step 2: Create Sugar Syrup

Combine water and sugar in the saucepan. Heat over medium flame, stirring until sugar completely dissolves. Bring mixture to a rolling boil for 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Reduce Heat and Simmer

Lower the heat to low. Allow the sugar syrup to gently simmer for 5 minutes, creating a clear liquid base.

Step 4: Add Cranberries

Carefully pour fresh cranberries into the simmering syrup. Let berries cook without stirring for 5-7 minutes until they start to burst and become translucent.

Step 5: Remove Foam

Use a spoon to skim off any white foam that develops on the surface during cooking. This helps create a clearer sauce.

Step 6: Enhance With Citrus

If desired, sprinkle freshly grated orange zest into the sauce for added brightness and complexity.

Step 7: Cool and Store

Remove sauce from heat. Pour into a serving dish or storage container. Allow to cool at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.

Step 8: Refrigerate

Transfer sauce to refrigerator. Let it chill for at least 2 hours to thicken and develop full flavor. Sauce will continue to set as it cools.

Pro Tips to Get That Ideal Tartness

• Prevent Foam Buildup: Gently remove white bubbles using a spoon to create a silky, professional-looking sauce.
• Control Sugar Balance: Taste and add more sweetness gradually, allowing natural tartness to shine through.
• Preserve Berry Integrity: Use light folding motions when mixing to keep whole cranberries intact and maintain beautiful texture.
• Cool Strategically: Let sauce rest at room temperature, allowing flavors to meld and consistency to thicken naturally.
• Storage Secret: Transfer to a clean glass container and refrigerate, knowing flavors will intensify over 24-48 hours.

Storing Cranberry Sauce for Ultimate Freshness

• Airtight Container Method: Store homemade cranberry sauce in glass mason jars with tight-sealing lids. These containers prevent flavor absorption from other refrigerated foods and maintain sauce quality. Glass also allows easy visibility of contents and prevents staining.
• Freezer Preservation Method: Transfer cooled cranberry sauce into freezer-safe plastic containers with minimal air space. Portion sauce into smaller quantities for convenient future thawing. Label containers with date and contents to track freshness and usage timeline.
• Vacuum Sealing Method: Use vacuum-sealed bags to maximize cranberry sauce storage potential. This technique removes air completely, preventing freezer burn and extending preservation time. Compact storage allows more efficient space utilization in refrigerator or freezer compartments.

New Twists on a Classic Sauce

• Spiced Cranberry Fusion: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves to create a warm, aromatic version of the classic cranberry sauce.
• Maple Berry Blend: Substitute half the sugar with pure maple syrup for a rich, complex sweetness that complements the tart cranberries.
• Boozy Cranberry Kick: Stir in a splash of orange liqueur or brandy during the final minutes of cooking to introduce a sophisticated adult flavor profile.
• Ginger Citrus Burst: Incorporate finely minced fresh ginger and lemon zest instead of orange zest for a zingier, more vibrant cranberry sauce that brightens the entire dish.

A Sauce-Worthy Conclusion

Cranberry sauce masterpieces bloom with simplicity and seasonal magic.

Holiday tables welcome this crimson jewel as a classic companion to hearty meals.

Homemade cranberry sauce surpasses store-bought versions with pure, vibrant flavors that dance across palates.

Rich orange zest provides subtle complexity, elevating traditional recipes into gourmet experiences.

Sweet-tart symphonies emerge from minimal ingredients, transforming ordinary moments into culinary celebrations.

Passionate cooks discover pure joy through this straightforward recipe – you’ll create memories as delicious as the sauce itself.

Savor each spoonful, share this recipe, spread delectable happiness, and let culinary creativity spark conversation among friends and family.

Joy Of Cooking Cranberry Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade cranberry sauce from Joy of Cooking brings festive holiday magic to winter tables. Tart berries simmer with orange zest and sugar, creating a sweet-tangy condiment that elevates traditional meals with classic American comfort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Ingredients:

• 4 cups cranberries (1 pound)

Liquid Components:

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 orange zest (finely grated) (optional)

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Instructions

1. Combine granulated sugar and water in a medium saucepan, heating over medium flame until the sugar completely dissolves and the liquid reaches a rolling boil.
2. Reduce the heat to low, allowing the syrup to gently simmer for 5 minutes, creating a clear, smooth base for the candied cranberries.
3. Carefully introduce whole fresh cranberries into the simmering syrup, ensuring they are evenly coated and submerged without stirring.
4. Continue cooking the cranberries for approximately 5 minutes, watching for a translucent appearance that indicates they are absorbing the sweet syrup.
5. Use a small spoon to delicately remove any foam or bubbles that accumulate on the surface of the syrup during cooking.
6. For an optional flavor enhancement, sprinkle freshly grated orange zest into the cranberry mixture, adding a subtle citrus brightness.
7. Once the cranberries have reached a glossy, translucent state, carefully transfer the mixture to a clean serving dish or storage container.
8. Refrigerate the candied cranberries for at least 1 hour (or overnight) to allow the syrup to set and the flavors to fully develop.

Notes

• Customize the sweetness by tasting and adding more sugar if needed.
• Gently fold cranberries to preserve their natural shape and prevent breaking.
• Remove foam with a spoon for a sleek, polished sauce appearance.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg