Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Cinnamon and Orange

Ingredients

Fresh cranberries

12 ounces

Granulated sugar

1 cup

Water

1/2 cup

Orange juice

1/2 cup, freshly squeezed

Orange zest

1 tablespoon

Ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon

Pinch of salt

to taste

Instructions

1. Rinse the fresh cranberries under cold water and remove any damaged or soft berries.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed cranberries, granulated sugar, orange juice, water, orange zest, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to ensure the sugar dissolves completely.
4. Once the sauce reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. You'll notice the cranberries beginning to burst and the sauce thickening. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can mash some of the cranberries with a fork or potato masher.
5. Remove the saucepan from heat and let the cranberry sauce cool to room temperature. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
6. Transfer the cooled sauce to a serving dish or airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. This sauce can be made up to a week in advance, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.