This is my favorite way to make cranberry sauce for the holidays. You should definitely give it a try before you opt for canned cranberry sauce. It’s quick, easy, and great for entertaining as well.

Ingredients

1/2 12 Oz bag of fresh cranberries
5 teaspoons of brown sugar, lightly packed
1 teaspoon of orange liquor or triple sec
1 cinnamon stick
Zest of 1 orange
1/4 cup of water, more if needed

Directions

1. Wash the cranberries and carefully zest the orange. You want to make sure that you don’t grate the white part of the skin of the orange, which is bitter. The zest itself is full of fragrant oils that will add great flavor and freshness to the sauce.

2. Once you’ve washed the cranberries and zested the orange, put a medium saucepan on medium heat and add the cranberries, brown sugar, cinnamon stick, zest, orange liquor, and water. Stir from time to time until cranberries start to pop.

3. Reduce to low heat and cook until your desired consistency has been reached. Keep stirring from time to time and add more water if needed. Add more brown sugar if the cranberries are too tart and you like for the sauce to be a little sweeter.

Not sure what to serve this with? Of course there’s turkey and traditional holiday foods, but try the cranberry-brie bites, for an easy holiday appetizer. Also try topping waffles or pancakes with this. Add a dollop of whipped cream and you’re brunch is good to go.