Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Apples and Cinnamon

This homemade cranberry sauce is easy to make and features the tart taste of cranberries mixed with the sweetness of Honeycrisp apples.

This cranberry apple sauce is an easy recipe to go on your Thanksgiving table or anytime during the holiday season .

It’s a great addition to any Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas honey baked ham.

Put that can back on the shelf!

My husband and I love traditional cranberry sauce but the boys are partial to their Aunt Karen’s homemade Honeycrisp applesauce. 

She uses my favorite type of apple. This recipe is the best of both world.

The tartness of the cranberries combined with the natural sweetness of apples makes this side dish a must for any holiday meal.

Tart yet sweet, this fresh cranberry sauce can be made days ahead of the holiday and takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

We are traditionalists in our house.

This year it was just the four of us for Thanksgiving and I debated ordering in.

There is just something about a homemade Thanksgiving dinner.

Juicy roast turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, stuffing and who can forget homemade apple cranberry sauce.

My father in law was a fan of the can.

But once he tasted homemade he never turned back.

Classic cranberry sauce made from scratch is so simple.

It requires a handful of ingredients, a pot and about 30 minutes.

I usually make it several days ahead of time so it’s one less thing I have to do in the kitchen on the holiday.

How to make this whole berry cranberry sauce with apples

There are many different recipes online but this one uses water rather than cranberry juice. That way you have the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

You’ll need pantry staples including sugar, cinnamon and salt. Pick up a bag of fresh tart berries from the grocery store as well as a few of your favorite apples.

We are partial to honeycrisp apples but granny smith apples are also a good choice because of their tart flavor.

Bring the water, ground cinnamon and sugar to a boil. Add the sweet apples and combine cranberries and stir until they begin to pop and release their natural pectin.

Once the apple cranberry sauce recipe has cooled, refrigerate until ready to serve.

How long does cranberry sauce last?

Kept in the refrigerator, cranberry sauce will keep for 10 to 14 days. Otherwise freeze it in ziplock bags for later use.

Are fresh cranberries easy to find?

This year cranberries are plentiful. But they are not always easy to find other times of the year.

I always make sure to grab an extra bag to toss in the freezer for later.

Have you ever eaten cranberries rolled in sugar? I love these berries as a sweet snack or a garnish for cocktails.

Be sure to see the recipe card below for full instructions. Happy holidays!

What goes well with cranberry sauce

• Slow Cooker Apple Cider Chicken
• Ancho Chile Pork Chops
• Spicy Grilled Shrimp Skewers
• Ohio Pork Tenderloin Sliders
• Apple Cider Brandy Roasted Pork Loin

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