Make Ahead

Vanilla and Maple Spiked Cranberry Apple Sauce

by:
November  5, 2009
4.7
3 Ratings
Vanilla and Maple Spiked Cranberry Apple Sauce
  • Serves 4-6
Author Notes

This cranberry-apple sauce serves as a Thanksgiving side dish, sandwich spread or compote. A chopped apple lends body and a bit of crunch. Maple syrup and apple cider adds sweetness and eases the tartness of the cranberries. Cinnamon and vanilla offer a warm, mellow undertone. A pinch of orange zest brightens and balances the dish. And a dash of cayenne pepper adds subtle, barely perceptible heat. —mariaraynal

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 honeycrisp apple, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over
  • 1 cup real maple syrup
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
  • pinch cayenne pepper
Directions
  1. Place medium heavy saucepan over medium flame. Melt butter, added chopped apple and cinnamon.
  2. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Add cranberries, maple syrup and apple cider.
  3. Turn up heat to medium high and cook for 15-20 minutes, until berries burst. Add vanilla, orange zest and cayenne, stir. Place in a pretty bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
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  • AntoniaJames
    AntoniaJames
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  • menumaniac
    menumaniac
  • aargersi
    aargersi
mariaraynal
I'm a self-trained home cook and freelance food writer who enjoys cooking and eating seasonally and locally whenever possible. When I travel, visiting the farmers' markets, local groceries and specialty food shops is as important as the shopping, museums and restaurants. I love to immerse myself in cookbooks, then go into the kitchen and experiment; and writing about food and the chefs who cook it is my latest pursuit. By day, I'm an executive speechwriter and event planner.

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5 Reviews

AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames January 8, 2010
This is so beautiful! Love the cloth underneath, too. I've never thought to use maple syrup in cranberry sauce. It's such a mild, food-friendly sweetener, I think I'll grab a bag of cranberries, while we can still get them, and try this. Soon!
 
Food B.
Food B. November 6, 2009
Apples, cider, and maple syrup make this the ideal New England cranberry sauce!
 
menumaniac
menumaniac November 6, 2009
Sounds like a sweet addition to a savory meal. Maybe I'll make an American Thanksgiving dinner in Windsor, Ontario and try it! :)
 
rainking
rainking November 6, 2009
looks awesome!
 
aargersi
aargersi November 6, 2009
YUM. That's all I have to say.