You guys, this is my favorite Cranberry Sauce Recipe ever! It’s so simple to make, extremely delicious and isn’t just meant for thanksgiving dinner! I love to serve this cranberry sauce over toast, on scones, and spread onto sandwiches.
My favorite thing about this cranberry sauce is the cinnamon and anise flavors that are subtle, but really make the sauce. I think it makes our recipe special and extra tasty!
How to Make Cranberry Sauce
Process
- Place all ingredients into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir.
- Once mixture has come to a boil, turn heat down to medium-low and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cranberries have cooked down and the sauce has thickened. Stir frequently.
- Remove from heat and allow the cranberry sauce to cool. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.Remove cinnamon sticks and star anise. Serve.
Why This is the BEST Cranberry Sauce Recipe Ever!
- The addition of cinnamon and star anise adds a subtle, but very tasty flavor to the cranberry sauce that takes it to the next level.
- The consistency is thick but still spreadable, making it perfect for dolloping over your thanksgiving dinner plate as well as using as a spread and compote for other dishes.
- The maple syrup also adds a nice touch of caramel flavor to our cranberry sauce recipe.
- It’s very simple to make and can be made weeks (even months) in advance!
Make Ahead Instructions
Once the cranberry sauce has cooled completely, transfer it to an airtight jar and refrigerate until ready to use (for up to 2 weeks). It can be used straight from the refrigerator. It can also be transfer to a saucepan and simmered for 5 minutes to heat through.
If our cranberry sauce is properly canned, it can be stored in a cool, dry place (away from direct sunlight) for up to 6 months. Once the jar is opened it should be refrigerated and consumed within 2 weeks.
How to Serve Cranberry Sauce (Aside From Thanksgiving Dinner)
- Use it like any other jam! We love spreading it over toast, on scones, muffins, pound cake and more!
- Use it in other desserts! Swirl some into frosting before piping onto cupcakes or a cake, or swirl some into a cheesecake filling!
- Use it in yogurts and parfaits! I love swirling a little bit into my morning yogurt or parfaits! It adds a really delicious sweet and tangy autumnal flavor.
- Spread some onto sandwiches or paninis! We love using the cranberry sauce for a panini filled with brie, prosciutto and arugula. We also love using it in our Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich (with a Moist Maker).
More Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes You Will Love
The BEST Cranberry Sauce Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 orange zested and juiced
- 3 whole star anise
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place all ingredients into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir.
- Once mixture has come to a boil, turn heat down to medium-low and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cranberries have cooked down and the sauce has thickened. Stir frequently.
- Remove from heat and allow the cranberry sauce to cool. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
- Remove cinnamon sticks and star anise. Serve.
Did you make this recipe? We want to see!
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I have made this sauce for 10 years I think! Such a staple at our holiday dinners. Thank you for sharing it!
This had converted me to love cranberry sauce! My mom is the only one who likes cranberry sauce so I found your recipe and tried it. Oh man this is good! Thank you!!!!
SOOOOO yummy! I actually licked the cinnamon sticks clean! Nice combo of cranberry flavor and spice! If you’re looking for a standard that has a hint of interesting, this is IT! Do NOT cook it too long, it gets super thick as it cools, as advertised!
Yay! So glad you liked this!!
We have made this for the past several years and absolutely love it! It has become a staple at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thank you for this!
I would love to send this to my family for Thanksgiving. How would I go about making it safe for shipping?
Made this yesterday for Thanksgiving and it was great! It was my first time having homemade cranberry sauce at the table, and I was really glad I tried! The only thing that went amiss was that I think I cooked it for just a few minutes too long because it became almost like a jelly after a bit. It was still super delicious though, thanks for the recipe!
After the sauce has boiled what do you do with the cinnamon sticks and the star anise? Also could you use ground anise and cinnamon? If so how much?
In Uk, we eat turkey christmas time, I love cranberry sauce, and I usually buy ready made one. I would like to try this this christmas time!
I made this over the weekend and it is the best cranberry sauce I’ve EVER had (and cranberry sauce is my favorite part of thanksgiving dinner). THANK YOU!
I was thinking of canning a bunch of jars of this for Thanksgiving presents(lucky coworkers)…I’m thinking I should take the star anise and cinnamon bits out before canning, as the flavors might be too strong after a few weeks, what do you think?
a few days ago i did a MASSIVE clean out of my closet and tried on my maternity pants. (cuz i was curious to see what they felt like after not wearing them for 3 years). THEY FELT GOOD. And it made me think that I might have to wear them on thanksgiving. Don’t tell anyone.
Your recipe and your blog reminded me of a Thanksgiving I cannot forget. My parents were away and I was staying with my grannies during my college years. My siblings were far away too, and my grandparents had to go somewhere else…So it was basically just me all alone that Thanksgiving. I was not sad though, I went to join my friend’s family for Thanksgiving dinner, and since I don’t know what to bring, I passed by the grocery shop and bought the canned cranberry sauce. It was not something grand but that is the only thing I can come up with. Turned out they have loads of food prepared and it would never be the same without my canned contribution. Now that I am much older I have a better Cranberrry sauce contribution but with this post you made it even better…Thanks for a nice post! Happy Holidays!
I cook with these spices and I know of the awesomeness of which you speak! Dang, this will definitely be a star at the table anytime of the year.
You’re hilarious. And I’m making this. FACT.
This sounds like heaven.
cranberries + orange = awesome. cranberries + star anise = MAJORRRR! this is awesome & i’m so glad someone else has discovered that cranberries & star anise are meant to be :)
WHAAAAAAAAAAT! IMMA EAT THAT ON THANKSGIVING!
Those cans break my heart..Mostly because it is so ridiculously easy to make GOOD cran sauce! It’s like, an insult to Thanksgiving. I’m all about maternity clothes for t-day. Bring it!
We just traded rolls for this cranberry sauce. I’m so making this in a few weeks. Orange juice in cranberry sauce is a must. I’m so pumped for the anise and cinnamon. BIG TIME EXCITED! CANYOUTELL?! JENNY, I LOVE YOU!!
I LOVE PARACHUTE PANTS!
Oh, that wasn’t the point, was it?