5 from 3 votes

Cranberry Sauce with Apples

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Homemade Cranberry sauce with diced apples and cinnamon spices will remind your taste buds of fall in an instant. I would like to say that this one is a year round side dish, but cranberries are difficult to find in non-winter months, so get this one going as soon as you see those bags appear in the store and enjoy this recipe (and all cranberry recipes in general) all fall before they are gone again. 

basic cranberry sauce recipe with apples

Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Diced Apples 

This cranberry sauce with apple, as opposed to a traditional applesauce (one word) contains similar ingredients but a total different taste. The focus in this Cranberry Apple Sauce recipe is the cranberries and the delightful fall and seasonal spices with the hint of diced apples, making this a perfect unique yet simple cranberry chutney sauce for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner tables. 

This recipe makes 4 cups of Apple Cranberry Sauce, typically enough for most holiday meals.

  • 1 package, 16 oz. frozen cranberries, thawed and any excess moisture from the bag drained
  • 1 large apple, peeled and diced
  • 1-1/2 cups water
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 6 whole allspice
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar

RELATED CRANBERRY RECIPESHomemade Cranberry Sauce, Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip, Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing, Honey-Dijon Brussel Sprouts with Dried Cranberries

How to Make Homemade Apple Cranberry Sauce

Remove skins from apples and dice down to small bite sized pieces. 

Add thawed cranberries, diced apples and water to a saucepan. 

cranberries and diced apples in a sauce pan to make a cranberry chutney

Strain your Cinnamon Sticks

Note that when you go to add full cinnamon sticks and cloves, they require a straining device.

Here are two you can use that make this recipe simple.

  • Cheesecloth – A cheesecloth is the safest option to use to secure your fall spices and cinnamon sticks.
  • Coffee Filter – If you do not have a cheese cloth, a strong coffee filter will work in a pinch. Just be a little careful when you stir because it is made of paper and can tear. It’s not the end of the world if the items fall out, you just might be surprised and get a serious crunch in your next bite!

filter out cinnamon sticks with coffee filter or cheese cloth

Add Spices to Cranberry Sauce Pan

In a cheesecloth or coffee filter, add cloves, allspice and cinnamon sticks.

Secure pouch shut with twine and place into the saucepan.

add bagged cinnamon to sauce pan

 

Heat Cranberries on Stove

Heat sauce pan over medium high heat, stirring occasionally.

Berries will begin to sizzle and boil after about 5 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium low and continue to boil and stir until berries are all broken open.

Remove pan from heat and carefully remove spices pouch (Tongs work great for this). Discard.

Stir in sugar until dissolved into the sauce.

Let stand to thicken and cool.

Store covered in the refrigerator.

burst cranberries in the stove stop

 

 

Can Juice be used in Place of Water?  Yes, you can absolutely use a flavored juice over water if you prefer. An apple juice or cranberry apple juice might work well. I have personally used a thick red berry juice with different cranberry recipes and it works really well. 

How to serve Cranberry Apple Sauce: Traditionally, cranberry sauce is an easy side dish for Thanksgiving. But you can also make this sauce to smother over the top of turkey, ham, and pork loin, bringing a delicious sweet flavors that compliments the meat. Just remember that cranberries go out of season as soon as the cold winter ends (harvest is Sept-November), so snap them up and use them as often as possible while you can! 

 

delicious and easy simple and basic cranberry recipe with cinnamon and its so good

Apples are a really wonderful way to bring in the fall.

So if you love this apple cranberry sauce, a totally awesome side dish take for the holiday table, make sure you check out the recipes for Cinnamon Southern Fried Apples, easy and fun homemade caramel apples, and a delicious and simple way to make dessert- apple dump cake. No matter how you bring in the apple this season, take full advantage of the orchard to delight the taste buds!

 

 

5 from 3 votes

Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Apples


Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Cinnamon and allspice really shine in this Cranberry sauce with diced apples, a delicious seasonal side dish perfect for Thanksgiving plates.

Ingredients
 

  • 1 package 16 oz, frozen cranberries, thawed
  • 1 large red apple peeled and diced
  • 1-1/2 cups water
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 6 whole allspice
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar

Instructions

  • Add thawed cranberries, peeled and diced apples and water to a saucepan.
  • In a cheesecloth or coffee filter, add whole cloves, whole allspice and cinnamon sticks. Secure pouch shut with piece of twine and place into the saucepan with the cranberries, apples, and water.
  • Heat fruit over medium high heat on stovetop, stirring occasionally. Berries will begin to sizzle and boil after about 5 minutes.
  • Once boiling, reduce heat to medium low and continue to low boil and stir until berries are broken open.
  • Remove cranberries from heat and remove spices bag. Discard the bag.
  • Stir in white sugar until dissolved, which should happen quickly with the hot mixture.
  • Let cranberry sauce stand to thicken and cool.

Notes

Can Juice be used in Place of Water?  Yes, you can absolutely use a flavored juice over water if you prefer. An apple juice or cranberry apple juice might work well. I have personally used a thick red berry juice with different cranberry recipes and it works really well. 
How to serve Cranberry Apple Sauce: Traditionally, cranberry sauce is an easy side dish for Thanksgiving. But you can also make this sauce to smother over the top of turkey, ham, and pork loin, bringing a delicious sweet flavors that compliments the meat. Just remember that cranberries go out of season as soon as the cold winter ends (harvest is Sept-November), so snap them up and use them as often as possible while you can! 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.

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5 from 3 votes
5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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