Cranberry Topping Sauce (Printable)

Bright, tangy cranberry topping with orange zest, perfect for desserts and savory dishes.

# What You Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

→ Sweetener

02 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar or maple syrup

→ Liquid

03 - 1/2 cup water

→ Citrus

04 - Zest of 1 orange
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

→ Flavorings

06 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - Pinch of salt

# How To Cook:

01 - In a medium saucepan, mix cranberries, sugar, water, orange zest, and orange juice.
02 - Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
03 - Lower heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until cranberries burst and sauce thickens.
04 - Remove from heat, then stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
05 - Allow sauce to cool to room temperature; it will thicken further as it cools.
06 - Serve warm or chilled as a topping for desserts or roasted meats.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's ready in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for those moments when you need something elegant but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen
  • One batch makes enough to drizzle over cheesecake, pancakes, roasted duck, or even vanilla ice cream, giving you endless possibilities
  • The combination of tart cranberries and sweet orange creates a flavor profile that feels sophisticated and special, yet completely approachable
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step. I used to serve this warm and wondered why it was too thin. Room temperature thickening is the magic that creates that perfect drizzle consistency.
  • The orange zest truly makes or breaks this recipe. Ground-up zest from a zester creates a completely different texture and flavor intensity than just using juice alone. Don't substitute one for the other.
03 -
  • For a silky smooth sauce, use an immersion blender after cooking to puree the cranberry skins until you reach your desired texture. This takes just a minute and creates a completely different mouthfeel.
  • If you find your sauce tastes too tart even after sweetening, remember that it will taste less intense once it's served alongside something rich or creamy. Trust the recipe and serve it anyway.

Go Back