Description
Delightful Julia Child cranberry sauce brings French culinary elegance to classic American holiday traditions. Simple ingredients merge with sophisticated techniques, creating a tangy, rich companion that elevates seasonal dining experiences you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) fresh cranberries
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) orange juice
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, merge granulated sugar (200 grams / 7 ounces) with freshly squeezed orange juice (240 milliliters / 1 cup) over medium heat, gently stirring until the sugar completely dissolves and creates a smooth, translucent liquid.
- When the sugar solution becomes clear and uniform, carefully introduce fresh cranberries (340 grams / 12 ounces), ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the liquid.
- Allow the cranberries to simmer gently, periodically stirring with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking, watching as they gradually soften and begin to burst, releasing their vibrant crimson pigments into the syrup.
- Continue cooking for approximately 8-10 minutes, maintaining a consistent medium heat, until most cranberries have split open and the mixture transforms into a slightly thickened, glossy sauce with a jammy consistency.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat source and let the cranberry sauce rest at room temperature, where it will naturally continue to thicken and develop a more concentrated flavor profile as it cools completely.
Notes
- Fresh berries burst with vibrant flavor, creating a more intense cranberry sauce compared to frozen alternatives.
- Frozen cranberries work perfectly without thawing, maintaining their structural integrity during cooking.
- Sugar becomes your flavor ally, balancing the natural tartness of the berries with careful adjustments.
- Tasting throughout cooking allows precise sweetness control, preventing an overly sugary or bland result.
- Popping sounds signal perfect cooking time – most berries should split but not completely disintegrate.
- Gentle simmering prevents mushy texture, preserving the sauce’s delightful chunky consistency.
- Spice variations like cinnamon, orange zest, or vanilla transform basic cranberry sauce into a gourmet experience.
- Cooling transforms the sauce’s texture, thickening it naturally, so patience reveals the true consistency.
- Resist immediate tasting when hot, as the sauce’s final texture develops during the cooling process.
- Homemade sauce surpasses store-bought versions with its fresh ingredients and personalized flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg