Julia Child’s Sweet & Tangy Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Cranberry sauce by julia child electrifies traditional holiday spreads with unexpected culinary brilliance.

These tiny crimson jewels burst with tangy sophistication, transforming mundane side dishes into gourmet sensations.

Harvested at peak ripeness, the berries whisper stories of autumn’s abundance.

Each spoonful carries complex layers of bright, zesty flavors that awaken dormant taste buds.

The sauce shimmers with glossy intensity, challenging bland cranberry expectations.

Simple techniques unlock remarkable depth from humble ingredients.

Prepare to elevate your festive table with this remarkable recipe that celebrates culinary creativity.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 217 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients in Julia Child’s Cranberry Sauce

• Orange Juice: Select fresh, pure juice without added sugars for a clean, bright flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Choose fine-textured sugar that dissolves quickly and smoothly.

• Fresh Cranberries: Pick plump, firm berries with vibrant deep red or deep burgundy color and no soft spots or wrinkles.

• Medium Saucepan: Use a heavy-bottomed pan for even heat distribution.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Select a sturdy utensil that can withstand stirring and won't scratch pan surface.

Tools to Make Cranberry Sauce Quickly

• Medium saucepan: A sturdy pot with a wide base perfect for even heat distribution and sauce making.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Essential for gentle stirring and preventing ingredient sticking without scratching the pan.
• Measuring cup: Helps accurately pour orange juice for consistent flavor.
• Sharp knife: Great for checking cranberry softness and texture during cooking.
• Serving bowl: Provides a beautiful vessel to showcase your homemade cranberry sauce.
• Refrigerator-safe container: Ideal for storing leftover sauce and keeping it fresh.

How to Simmer and Thicken Sauce

• Craft Your Flavor Foundation

Grab a saucepan and combine orange juice with sugar over medium heat. Gently stir until the mixture transforms into a smooth, glistening liquid that sparkles with sweetness.

• Unleash Cranberry Brilliance

Drop fresh cranberries into the simmering base, allowing them to dance and mingle. Watch as they slowly burst and release their vibrant crimson essence, creating a magical sauce that tells a story of flavor and texture.

• Simmer and Surrender

Let the mixture bubble and pop for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will break down, releasing their natural pectin and creating a luscious, glossy sauce that thickens with each passing moment.

• Cool and Capture

Remove from heat and let the sauce rest and transform. As it cools, it will develop a rich, luxurious consistency that captures the essence of autumn’s bounty. Transfer to a serving dish, ready to complement your favorite holiday meal.

Sweet vs. Tart Tweaks

• Boost Cranberry Flavor: Add a splash of orange zest or cinnamon stick during cooking for deeper, more complex taste profiles.
• Sweeten Naturally: Replace granulated sugar with honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar to create unique sweetness levels and unexpected flavor dimensions.
• Make Ahead Magic: Prepare cranberry sauce up to a week in advance and store in an airtight container, allowing flavors to develop and intensify over time.
• Texture Play: For a chunkier sauce, reduce cooking time by 2-3 minutes, leaving more whole cranberries intact; for a smoother consistency, mash berries gently during cooking or use an immersion blender after cooling.

Serving Cranberry Sauce for Holidays

• Pair with Holiday Feast: Drizzle this vibrant cranberry sauce over roasted turkey, ham, or chicken for a burst of tangy sweetness that elevates traditional holiday meals.
• Transform Breakfast Delights: Swirl the sauce into yogurt, spread on toast, or mix into morning oatmeal for a delightful breakfast upgrade that adds color and flavor.
• Create Festive Dessert Topping: Spoon over vanilla ice cream, cheesecake, or pound cake to instantly transform simple desserts into gourmet treats with a seasonal twist.
• Craft Cocktail Companion: Use as a garnish for holiday cocktails or mix into sparkling wine for a festive drink that captures the essence of the season.

Chilling and Storing It Properly

• Preserve Cranberry Sauce Perfection: Store homemade cranberry sauce in airtight glass containers to maintain maximum freshness and flavor intensity.
• Refrigerate and Relish: Keep sauce chilled in the refrigerator for up to one week, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen with each passing day.
• Freezing for Future Feasts: Transfer extra sauce to freezer-safe containers, where it will happily hibernate for 2-3 months without losing its vibrant taste and texture.
• Serving Temperature Magic: Enjoy cranberry sauce straight from the refrigerator or let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften and release its full aromatic potential.

Vibrant Julia Child Cranberry Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Culinary legend Julia Child’s cranberry sauce elevates holiday tables with French-inspired elegance. Mediterranean warmth meets American tradition in this simple yet sophisticated recipe you’ll treasure during festive gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) fresh cranberries
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) orange juice

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Instructions

1. Liquefaction: Combine sugar and orange juice in a medium saucepan, heating over medium temperature while gently stirring until the sugar dissolves, creating a clear, silky liquid.
2. Cranberry Integration: Introduce fresh cranberries into the sugar syrup, dispersing them evenly and allowing them to simmer gently, stirring periodically to prevent adherence to the pan’s surface.
3. Transformation: Continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, observing as cranberries burst and release their rich crimson essence, gradually thickening the mixture into a luscious, glossy sauce with a jam-like texture.
4. Cooling Process: Remove from heat and let the sauce rest at room temperature, enabling natural thickening and flavor intensification, creating a vibrant, tangy condiment that will solidify as it cools completely.

Notes

• Measure Precisely: Use exact sugar and orange juice quantities for perfect sauce consistency and balanced sweetness.
• Watch Carefully: Monitor cranberry cooking process closely to prevent burning and ensure ideal texture without overcooking.
• Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat throughout cooking to help cranberries burst evenly and create smooth sauce.
• Cooling Matters: Allow sauce to cool completely at room temperature, as it will naturally thicken and develop deeper flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 217
• Sugar: 37 g
• Sodium: 3 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg