Cranberry Bliss Apple Sauce

$- 4 cups fresh cranberries (about 1 bag) - 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced (preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) - 1 cup water - 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust based on tartness preference) - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Zest of 1 orange - Juice of 1 orange I love choosing fresh cranberries for this recipe. They give the sauce a bright, tart taste. Using apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp adds sweetness and crunch. You can adjust the sugar based on your taste. If you want a sweeter sauce, add more sugar. The cinnamon and vanilla add warmth and depth. Orange zest and juice give a nice twist. - Additional spices (such as nutmeg or ginger) - Sweeteners (honey or maple syrup) - Nuts or raisins for texture For a unique flavor, consider adding nutmeg or ginger. These spices can give your sauce a warm, festive touch. If you prefer natural sweeteners, honey or maple syrup work well too. I often add nuts or raisins for a nice texture contrast. These add-ins let you customize the sauce to your liking. {{ingredient_image_1}} - Rinse 4 cups of fresh cranberries under cold water. - Remove any damaged or shriveled berries. - Peel, core, and dice 2 large apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp). - In the Instant Pot, combine the cranberries, diced apples, 1 cup of water, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, the zest of 1 orange, and the juice of 1 orange. - Close the lid securely. Set the valve to the sealing position. - Select the Manual setting and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. - After cooking, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes. - Perform a quick release to let out any remaining pressure. - Open the lid and stir the mixture well. - Use a potato masher or fork to mash the sauce to your liking. - If you want a smoother sauce, blend it lightly with an immersion blender. - Taste the sauce and adjust sweetness or spice if needed. - Transfer the sauce to a bowl or jar and let it cool before serving. To adjust sweetness, taste the sauce after cooking. If you want it sweeter, add more sugar. Start with a tablespoon at a time. For tartness, choose sweeter apples like Honeycrisp. Use Granny Smith if you like it tart. To get the right consistency, mash the sauce after cooking. A potato masher works well for this. If you want it smooth, use an immersion blender. Blend just a little for a nice texture. For serving, use a clear glass dish. This shows off the vibrant colors. Garnish with a mint sprig or a thin slice of orange. This makes it look fancy and fresh. This sauce pairs well with turkey for a festive meal. You can also use it on desserts like ice cream or cheesecake. It adds a nice touch to pancakes or waffles, too. Let the sauce cool completely before storing. Use an airtight container to keep it fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it. Use freezer-safe containers or bags. To reheat, warm it in a pot or microwave. Add a splash of water if it thickens too much. Pro Tips Adjust Sweetness: Taste the sauce after cooking, and feel free to adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar if the cranberries are too tart for your liking. Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh cranberries and crisp apples to enhance the flavor and texture of your sauce. Experiment with Spices: Don't hesitate to add other spices such as nutmeg or allspice for a unique twist on the traditional flavor. Storage Tips: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will last for up to a week, or freeze it for longer storage. {{image_2}} You can easily change the flavor of your cranberry apple sauce. Try adding different fruits like pears or peaches. These fruits add sweetness and depth. You can also mix in spices for unique tastes. A pinch of nutmeg or ginger can create a warm, cozy vibe. Experiment with your favorites! If you want a sugar-free version, swap granulated sugar with a sweetener like stevia. This keeps the sauce tasty without the extra sugar. For vegan adjustments, ensure your sweetener is plant-based. The sauce is naturally gluten-free, so it fits many diets! Adjusting this recipe to fit your needs is easy and fun. Can I use frozen cranberries? Yes, you can use frozen cranberries. Just add them directly to the Instant Pot. No need to thaw them first. They will cook well and still taste great. How do I thicken the sauce? To thicken your sauce, cook it longer in the Instant Pot. You can also mash it more or add a cornstarch slurry. This mix helps thicken the sauce nicely. Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! You can make this sauce a few days in advance. Just store it in the fridge. It tastes even better after a day or two as the flavors mix. What if my Instant Pot doesn’t have a Manual setting? If your Instant Pot lacks a Manual setting, use the Pressure Cook button instead. Set the time to 8 minutes. It works the same way and will cook the sauce perfectly. How long does the sauce last in the fridge? The sauce lasts about one week in the fridge. Keep it in a sealed container to maintain freshness. You can also freeze it for up to three months. What dishes pair well with cranberry apple sauce? Cranberry apple sauce goes great with roast turkey, pork, or chicken. It also tastes wonderful on pancakes or as a topping for yogurt. Can I use this sauce in other recipes? Yes, you can use this sauce in other recipes! It makes a tasty filling for pies and tarts. You can also swirl it into oatmeal or use it in salad dressings. This recipe makes about 6 to 8 servings. Each serving has around 150 calories. Cranberries are low in calories but high in nutrients. They are rich in vitamin C and fiber. Apples add natural sweetness and more fiber. They provide vitamins A and C, plus potassium. Each serving has about 38 grams of carbohydrates. There is less than 1 gram of fat in each serving. You will find around 1 gram of protein in the sauce. The fiber content is about 3 grams per serving, which is great for digestion. Cranberries are packed with antioxidants. They help fight inflammation and keep your heart healthy. Apples also offer great health benefits. They support gut health and may lower the risk of chronic disease. Eating this sauce gives you a tasty way to enjoy these benefits. You have learned how to make a tasty cranberry apple sauce in this guide. We covered essential ingredients, optional add-ins, and step-by-step cooking instructions. The tips and tricks will help you serve and store your sauce right. Remember, you can also create unique flavors with different fruits or spices. This sauce pairs well with many dishes and brings great flavor to your meals. Enjoy your cooking journey and savor each bite of your homemade sauce!$

Cranberry Bliss Apple Sauce

A delightful blend of fresh cranberries and apples, perfect for a seasonal treat.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

4 cups fresh cranberries
2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 zest orange
1 juice orange

Instructions

Start by rinsing the cranberries under cold water. Remove any stems or shriveled berries.
Prepare the apples by peeling, coring, and dicing them into small pieces.
In the Instant Pot, combine the cranberries, diced apples, water, granulated sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice.
Close the lid of the Instant Pot securely and set the valve to the sealing position.
Select the Manual setting and adjust the time to 8 minutes on high pressure.
Once cooking is complete, allow for a natural release of pressure for about 10 minutes, then perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
Open the lid and stir the mixture. Use a potato masher or fork to mash the sauce to your desired consistency. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it lightly with an immersion blender.
Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or spice as needed by adding more sugar or cinnamon.
Once done, transfer the sauce to a bowl or jar and let it cool before serving.

Notes

Serve warm or chilled, garnished with mint or orange slice.

Keyword apple, cranberry, holiday, sauce