Description
Homemade cranberry sauce elevates holiday tables with its perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors. Rich crimson sauce pairs beautifully with roasted meats, offering simple seasonal elegance you will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (1 lb / 454 g) cranberries
- 2 cups (400 g) sugar
- 2 cups (480 ml) water
- 1 orange zest (finely grated, optional)
Instructions
- Sugar Syrup Preparation: In a medium saucepan, dissolve granulated sugar in water over medium heat, bringing the mixture to a vigorous rolling boil, stirring occasionally to ensure complete sugar integration.
- Cranberry Infusion: Reduce heat to low, gently introduce whole fresh cranberries into the simmering syrup, allowing them to cook without stirring for approximately 5 minutes until they begin to burst and become translucent.
- Flavor Enhancement: Delicately skim any foam from the surface and sprinkle freshly grated orange zest into the mixture, imparting a subtle citrus undertone to the developing sauce.
- Finishing and Cooling: Remove the saucepan from heat, carefully transfer the glossy cranberry mixture to a clean serving dish or storage container, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the syrup to set and flavors to meld completely.
Notes
- Master Sugar Syrup: Precisely dissolve sugar completely before adding cranberries to ensure smooth, even texture and prevent crystallization.
- Gentle Cranberry Cooking: Avoid stirring during simmering to maintain berry integrity and prevent breaking; let syrup naturally coat berries.
- Surface Skimming Technique: Remove foam periodically with a small spoon to maintain clear, clean appearance and prevent unwanted residue.
- Chilling for Flavor Depth: Refrigerate for minimum one hour or overnight to allow syrup to set and enhance overall taste profile of the sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg