Description
Homemade cranberry sauce with fresh orange and vanilla delights dinner guests with its simple elegance. Warm holiday memories emerge from this quick, zesty side dish that elevates classic cranberry traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) cranberries
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) fresh orange juice
Sweeteners:
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) light or dark brown sugar
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) water
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Carefully zest the entire orange, reserving the zest, then extract the juice. Aim for approximately 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice.
- Thoroughly rinse the cranberries and set aside half a cup for adding later to create textural contrast.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the remaining cranberries with water, orange juice, and brown sugar over medium heat. Gently stir the mixture as it approaches a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat to low-medium and continue cooking for roughly 15 minutes. Periodically stir the sauce, allowing the cranberries to burst and the mixture to gradually thicken.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and incorporate the reserved whole cranberries, freshly grated orange zest, and vanilla extract. Allow the sauce to rest and naturally continue thickening during cooling.
- Serve the cranberry sauce either warm or at room temperature. For optimal freshness, transfer any remaining sauce to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Zesting Technique Carefully remove only the bright orange outer layer of the orange peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath for the most vibrant citrus flavor.
- Texture Variation Hold back some whole cranberries to add at the end for a delightful mix of smooth and chunky textures in your sauce.
- Make-Ahead Magic This cranberry sauce actually tastes better after a day in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Dietary Adaptations Swap brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a more natural sweetener, or use a sugar-free alternative for a lower-carb version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg