Maple Vanilla Cranberry Sauce
A rich, cozy, holiday-ready cranberry sauce, sweetened with maple syrup and brown sugar, brightened with fresh orange juice, and finished with warm spices and vanilla. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner, and all those leftover turkey sandwiches.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 122kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¾ cup pure maple syrup adjust to taste
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar light or dark, optional
- 1 tablespoon orange zest optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add cranberries, maple syrup, orange juice, brown sugar, orange zest, cinnamon, cloves, and salt to a medium saucepan. Give it a quick stir to coat the berries.
- Place over medium heat. As it warms, you'll hear the cranberries begin to pop. This is when they burst and start releasing their juices.
- Simmer the sauce for about 8 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Most of the berries will burst, and the sauce will thicken into a glossy texture.
- Stir in vanilla and remove the pan from the heat. Allow the sauce to cool completely. It will thicken more as it cools.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container up to 7–10 days
- Refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor
- Freeze up to 3 months
- Using vanilla bean paste gives a stronger, richer vanilla flavor and pretty flecks.
- Orange zest is optional, but truly elevates brightness.
- Don’t skip the salt—even that tiny pinch matters!
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving (¼ cup) | Calories: 122kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Sodium: 55mg | Sugar: 28g