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My sweet and tart spiced cranberry sauce is just as festive as it is flavor-popping, y'all!! Fresh berries are rinsed and stirred in a pot with sugar, citrus juice and zest, warming herbs, rum extract, and a sprinkling of something that they didn't see coming, y'all!! Then, the mixture is heated to thick and rich lusciousness that pairs perfectly with your main holiday entree. Yep and yay...
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Cause You Really Do Need That Something Special, Y'all...
Spiced cranberry sauce enhances the traditional Thanksgiving staple recipe with spices that pack an unexpected flavor punch into each spoonful.
My version of this includes both white and brown sugars and cinnamon and nutmeg for warmth and depth. I also add rum extract for feistiness and a sprinkling of cayenne for just a bit of heat at the finish.
And, I'm happy to say that this spiced cranberry sauce recipe works, y'all. It's got that sweet-tartness blend you're looking for with a few surprise pops that make it truly something special. Indeed.
Ingredient Essentials & Substitutions
- I used two 8-ounce bags of fresh, organic cranberries. You can also use thawed frozen cranberries. But, the texture may be off and/or the sauce may turn out thinner than expected.
- I love Great Value's cranberry black cherry juice cocktail and always have it on hand. It works wonderfully in this recipe as it goes well with the rest of the ingredients. You can also use just cranberry juice or even orange juice if that's what you have in the fridge.
- Fresh lemon juice is a MUST for this recipe, y'all. It brightens the rest of the flavors to perfection, unlike the bottled stuff which will make the prepared spiced cranberry sauce overly tart.
- Rum extract adds an additional layer of sophistication to this recipe that really sets it apart. You can also use vanilla extract in its place, if desired.
- The cinnamon and nutmeg warm up the sauce, adding depth and dimension to each bite. There are really no substitutes. But, if you can only do one then go with the cinnamon.
- White sugar and brown sugar play off of each other in this spiced cranberry sauce. The combination is incredible. However, if you only have white sugar then use a full cup.
How to Make Spiced Cranberry Sauce
First, rinse the berries and remove any rotten pieces.
Then, pour all of the ingredients into a medium-sized pot.
Bring to a slow boil over medium heat. Once the berries start to burst open, reduce the heat to medium-low.
Then, cook for just a few minutes until the spiced cranberry sauce thickens and most of the berries burst open.
And that's it, y'all!!
This spiced cranberry sauce is probably the easiest Thanksgiving dish you can make. It whips up in minutes, and it boasts a show-stopping crimson color that visually jazzes up your holiday tablescape.
The texture is thick and rich on the tongue, boasting a silkiness that just feels like something special. And, the sprinkling of cayenne at the end electrifies the rest of the flavors, leaving behind a fiery finish that remains on the tongue for a delightful few minutes.
Share this spiced cranberry sauce with those who make something special out of each ordinary encounter. And see y'all on the yum side...
Other South Louisiana-Inspired Sauces
Bookmark these other sauce recipes to inject something special into your year-round menu plans.
Spiced Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 8-ounce bags cranberries rinsed and picked through
- 1 cup cranberry black cherry juice cocktail
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon rum extract
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Pour all of the ingredients into a medium-sized pot.
- Bring to a slow boil over medium heat.
- When the liquid starts to simmer and the first of the cranberries are beginning to open, reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until most of the berries have split open and the liquid thickens by about one-third.
- Remove from heat and cool before serving or covering and refrigerating before use.
Notes
The information shown is an estimate provided by a third-party, online computer-generated nutrition calculator, not a registered dietitian or certified nutritionist. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods and individual portion sizes, along with other factors.
See our full nutrition disclaimer here.
