Fresh Cranberry Tangy Sweet (Printable)

A zesty, naturally sweetened blend of fresh cranberries enhanced with citrus and warming spices.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 12 oz fresh cranberries, rinsed

02 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar

03 - 1 cup water or orange juice

04 - 1/2 tsp orange zest

05 - 1 cinnamon stick

01 - In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, and water or orange juice.

02 - Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.

03 - Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes until cranberries burst and sauce thickens.

04 - If using, add orange zest and cinnamon stick during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

05 - Remove from heat, discard cinnamon stick if used, and let sauce cool to room temperature to thicken further.

06 - Transfer sauce to a serving bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.

01 -

It comes together faster than you'd think, which means less stress when you're juggling multiple dishes.
The flavor is bright and complex without being fussy, and it transforms any simple plate into something that feels intentional.
This sauce keeps beautifully in the fridge, so you can make it days ahead and actually enjoy your gathering.

02 -

Don't be alarmed when the sauce seems thin at the end of cooking—the magic happens as it cools, and you'll wake up to perfectly thickened sauce the next day.
The cinnamon stick and orange zest are truly optional, but they transform this from 'fine' into something that tastes thoughtful and deliberate.

03 -

Always rinse your fresh cranberries under cold water and pick through them quickly to discard any soft or shriveled ones, which will affect the final texture.
If your sauce tastes too tart when it cools, stir in a touch more sugar or honey rather than starting over; it's almost impossible to oversweeten once you know how it tastes.