This spiced cranberry sauce brings a burst of flavor to your table! It’s made with fresh cranberries, warming spices, and a hint of sweetness that pairs perfectly with holiday meals.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Cranberries: Fresh cranberries are essential for a bright and tart flavor. If you’re in a pinch, you can use frozen cranberries, but don’t thaw them first; just add them straight to the pot.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is used here for sweetness, but you can substitute with brown sugar for a richer flavor, or a sugar alternative like honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste).
Spices: The cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, and ground spices give depth to the sauce. If you don’t have star anise, you can omit it or use a little more cinnamon. Ground spices can be a good alternative if you don’t have whole spices.
Orange Zest and Juice: Fresh zest adds bright flavor. You can use lemon zest and juice if you prefer a different citrus twist, or even bottled orange juice in a pinch!
How Do You Get the Best Flavor from Your Spices?
Layering flavors from spices elevates your cranberry sauce. Here’s how:
- Start by simmering your spices with the sugar and water. This allows the flavors to seep into the liquid.
- Make sure to stir occasionally while cooking to help release the spices’ flavors.
- As the cranberries cook, they burst and release their juices, mixing beautifully with the spiced liquid.
- Finally, adding the orange juice at the end brightens the sauce and balances the spices, ensuring an aromatic finish.
This technique not only enhances flavor but also gives your sauce that perfect consistency!
Spiced Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 12 oz (340 g) fresh cranberries
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 star anise
- 1 small sprig fresh rosemary (optional)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and about 10 minutes to cook, plus cooling time to thicken. If you want to chill it in the refrigerator, allow an hour for that. Overall, it’s a quick and easy recipe to enhance your meals!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cranberries:
Rinse the fresh cranberries under cold water. Make sure to pick out any stems or damaged berries, ensuring only the good ones go into the sauce!
2. Start the Spice Infusion:
In a medium saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, star anise, and optional rosemary sprig. Turn the heat to medium and bring this mixture to a boil. Remember to stir occasionally so the sugar dissolves completely.
3. Add the Cranberries and Seasonings:
Once the sugar has dissolved and the spices have infused the water (this should take about 3-4 minutes), add the rinsed cranberries, orange zest, ground allspice, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg to the pot. Stir everything together.
4. Simmer the Sauce:
Bring the mixture back to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for around 10 minutes, stirring frequently. You’ll know it’s done when most of the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened beautifully.
5. Finishing Touch:
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the fresh orange juice. Don’t forget to take out the cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, and rosemary before serving.
6. Let It Cool:
Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature. As it cools, it will thicken even more. If desired, you can transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for later use.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
When ready, serve your spiced cranberry sauce either chilled or at room temperature. It’s a delicious pairing for holiday meals and is sure to be a hit with family and friends!
This spiced cranberry sauce brings a delightful mix of flavors, combining festive spices and fresh cranberries for a tasty addition to any dish. Enjoy your cooking!
Can I Use Frozen Cranberries in This Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries! Just add them directly to the pot without thawing them. The cooking time may increase slightly since they’re colder, but they’ll still turn out delicious!
Can I Make This Cranberry Sauce Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! This sauce can be made up to a week in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and it will keep well. The flavors often deepen after a day or two!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. You can also freeze it for longer storage; just make sure to leave some space in the container for expansion.
What Can I Use Instead of Granulated Sugar?
If you’re looking for a substitute for granulated sugar, you can use brown sugar for a richer flavor, or alternatives like maple syrup or honey. Just keep in mind, if you use a liquid sweetener, you may need to adjust the amount of water in the recipe slightly.
