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    Home > Recipes > Sides

    Apple Cranberry Sauce

    Published: Nov 14, 2018 · Modified: Sep 28, 2020 by Whitney Reist · This post may contain affiliate links |

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This stunning Apple Cranberry Sauce has a hint of crisp, clean apple flavor and is naturally-sweetened with apple cider and maple syrup. It's my favorite twist on traditional cranberry sauce and is an easy, make-ahead side dish!

    A glass bowl of apple cranberry sauce sitting on a cutting board with a spoon and sliced apples on the side.
    Jump to:
    • About the recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Serving suggestions
    • Similar recipes
    • Recipe

    About the recipe

    It's day 3 of Thanksgiving Week, and I hope you've been getting some great inspiration from the recipes, menu planner, and tips for keeping it simple! So far this week, we've made Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Cider Gravy, and Roasted Sprouts and Squash with Warm Pomegranate Bacon Dressing.

    Today, we are rounding out the menu with a twist on a traditional Thanksgiving classic: cranberry sauce!

    I just love, love, LOVE cranberry sauce. There is something so elegant about it, yet it is probably the simplest side that graces the Thanksgiving table. It's a stunner, to be sure, and there are so many delicious versions of it out there! I've tried my fair share and enjoyed them all, but I have to say that this Apple Cranberry Sauce is my favorite.

    A jug of apple cider, bottle of maple syrup, and an apple sitting on a cutting board.

    Ingredients

    I'm a purist when it comes to cranberry sauce - I don't particularly care for versions that are heavily-spiced or flavored to the point that you barely taste the cranberries.

    In this apple version, the clean, crisp flavor of an apple and apple cider actually enhance the flavor of the tart cranberries. Maple syrup adds depth to the flavor and also acts as a natural sweetener.

    The cinnamon stick is optional - and sometimes I prefer to just leave it out! I think the cranberry sauce tastes better on leftover turkey sandwiches without any cinnamon flavor. But you do you!

    A saucepan with fresh cranberries and sliced apple sitting on a cutting board with a grey dish towel underneath.

    Serving suggestions

    Of course, another factor that makes cranberry sauce the real MVP side is that it can be made in advance - way in advance if needed! And once the big turkey feast is finished, there are SO many ways to use up the leftovers! Some of my favorite ways to use up the leftovers of this Apple Cranberry Sauce are:

    • Using it as a topper for oatmeal, pancakes, or waffles
    • Swirling it into cake or muffin batter before baking
    • Spreading it on turkey sandwiches
    • Including it as a condiment on a cheeseboard
    • Layered in a yogurt and granola parfait

    And I'm sure you can think of more creative ways to use it! I hope you get a chance to try it this holiday season. For more Thanksgiving inspiration, be sure to check out my Thanksgiving page, and sign up for my weekly newsletter for exclusive helpful holiday content!

    A glass bowl of apple cranberry sauce sitting on a cutting board with a spoon and sliced apples on the side.

    Similar recipes

    If you are looking more fall cranberry flavor, be sure to check out these recipes for Cranberry Cornbread Muffins and Cranberry Cheesecake Tart!

    • Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Coconut and Spinach
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    Are you ready to get make this Apple Cranberry Sauce? I’m so excited for you to try this recipe. Once you get the chance to make it, please let me know how it turns out for you!

    Leave a comment and rate the recipe below. This will help me with the creation of future recipes!

    I’d also love to feature your creation in my weekly newsletter, so you can upload a photo to Instagram with the tag @sweetcayenne5 to be featured! Quick and easy recipe videos are available on my YouTube channel, and lots of menu inspiration on my Pinterest boards.

    Recipe

    A glass bowl filled with apple cranberry sauce on a wood cutting board with a grey towel.

    Apple Cranberry Sauce

    This stunning Apple Cranberry Sauce has a hint of crisp, clean apple flavor and is naturally-sweetened with apple cider and maple syrup. It's my favorite twist on traditional cranberry sauce and is an easy, make-ahead side dish!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetcayenne5 or tag #sweetcayenne!
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 8 Servings

    Ingredients

    • 1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked through
    • 1 large Macintosh apple, peeled, cored and diced (about 1 cup)
    • 1 cup apple cider
    • ½ cup maple syrup
    • 1 whole cinnamon stick (optional)

    Instructions

    • Combine the cranberries, apple, cider, maple syrup, and cinnamon stick in a medium saucepan. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat, reduce to a simmer over low heat, and cook until almost all of the cranberries have burst and the mixture is thickened.
    • Remove from heat and let cool; the mixture will continue to thicken as it cools.
    • Remove the cinnamon stick and transfer the cranberry sauce to a serving dish or to a container for storing in the refrigerator.
    • Cranberries will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

    Notes

    • Make it diabetic-friendly: use sugar-free maple syrup and dilute ½ the apple cider with water.
    • Nutrition information based on 8 servings (3 tablespoons is a serving):
      
    Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.6g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 2.3g | Sugar: 19.6g | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

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