Lisa’s Cranberry Sauce

I am an absolute cranberry addict. I know that the minute fall comes around the pumpkin spice fans throw off their flip-flops and grab the closest flannel and head to the nearest Starbucks. I however am an apple cinnamon and cranberry kind of girl. So the day fresh cranberries were available at my local supermarket, I grabbed a few bags. It has been my job to make cranberry sauce ever since I was about 10 years old and I have made it every year since. I have even brought it to others houses on Thanksgiving-even if I was not asked to. I’m saving them from a boring canned sauce, they can thank me later.

So, here is my favorite recipe on how to make fresh cranberry sauce. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

 Lisa’s Cranberry sauce 

1 bag of fresh or frozen cranberries

3/4 to 1 cup of brown sugar

1 vanilla pod

1 cup of apple juice

In your pot add juice, vanilla pod and sugar medium-high heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Once pot comes to a boil, add in cranberries and bring to a boil again. Once the cranberries start ‘popping’ turn heat down to low. Keep stirring until all cranberries have cooked down and the popping sound is replaced by a simmer, about 5 minutes.

At this time I’d suggest tasting your sauce, every bag of cranberries can vary in their tartness. If you want to add more sugar in, I’d only do a tablespoon at a time.

Take pot off the heat and let cool to room temperature. This may take about an hour.

Once it is at room temperature put it in a plastic container and chill in your fridge.The pectin in the cranberries break down and it naturally thickens the sauce up.  If you plan on using it that day, I’d suggest making it that morning. You need a few hours for it to cool down completely so it’s not runny. I like to make it the night before and let all the flavors set in. Once you are ready to serve, remove the vanilla pod and place in your serving dish.

That’s it! It’s simple enough that I did a version of this as a child and I’m sure you can do this as an adult!

Have a great Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season!