Never open a can of jellied cranberries again! This last-minute quick & easy Spiced Cranberry Sauce is so simple, you’ll be volunteering to bring the sides to every holiday dinner!
A handful of ingredients, 20 minutes, some stirring and satisfying berry smashing, and a little (or a lot if you’re into it) cinnamon whiskey and you’ve got yourself a flavorful, authentic, possibly boozy spiced cranberry sauce to set before your hungry crowd.
It will look so darn pretty next to the bird and all those starchy, buttered side dishes. That bright, vibrant red is such a welcoming sight among so much drab brown and white.
Just make sure you make enough to keep all the cranberry fans happy! I always keep a bag or two of cranberries in my freezer for this very reason, but I’ve been known to make this on a whim in the middle of summer, too.
Of course, I guess if you run out, you could always sub in some smashed canned stuff.
This page includes step by step instructions, as well as tips and notes. If you’d like to skip all that, feel free to scroll down to the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
If there’s one thing i love, it’s Thanksgiving dinner – every part, but especially cranberry sauce. It’s gotta be the jellied kind, though! There’s just something about the stuff. I love the flavor, but maybe it’s the fact that it retains the exact shape of the can it comes from.
Mostly, I think it’s because of how nicely the slices fit on a smoked turkey breast sandwich.
That said, don’t go smashing it up with a fork to make it look more “real.”
If real cranberry sauce is what you want on your holiday table…then just make this spiced cranberry sauce. I promise, it’s not hard, and you can make it right before dinner!
Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries – if you use frozen ones you don’t even need to thaw them!
- Granulated and brown sugar
- Apple cider
- Cinnamon whiskey – optional, but it kicks up the flavor!
- Cinnamon sticks – or ground cinnamon
- Fresh orange zest
How to make spice cranberry sauce
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until berries start to pop.
- Use a wooden spoon to mash berries against side of pan, continuing to stir until berries are broken down and sauce has thickened, 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Stir in additional cinnamon whiskey to taste, if desired. Remove cinnamon sticks and serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator.
More delicious cranberry holiday recipes to try!
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Spiced Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh cranberries
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup apple cider
- ¼ cup cinnamon whiskey
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- Zest of an orange
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until berries start to pop.
- Use a wooden spoon to mash berries against side of pan, continuing to stir until berries are broken down and sauce has thickened, 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Stir in additional cinnamon whiskey to taste, if desired. Remove cinnamon sticks and serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator.
