Whole Cranberry Sauce with Just 4 Ingredients
Cranberry Sauce isn't just for Thanksgiving! A delicious addition to any meal, an add in to oatmeal or even on a piece of toast, this tasty mix of cranberries, water, sugar and if desired some grated orange rind is making a comeback on many family tables year round.
Equipment
- 1 large sauce pot
- 1 mixing spoon
- 1 set measuring cups and spoons
- 1 candy thermometer
- 1 * if canning: set canning tools(lid lifter, jar lifter, funnel, headspace tool), canner, jars lids and rings I use 1/2 pint jars
Ingredients
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 cups water
- 8 cups fresh cranberries
- grated zest of 1 large orange *optional
- 1 tsp butter to cut foaming
If Canning:
- vinegar to clean rims of jars
Instructions
- If Canning: Prepare boiling water canner and jars, keeping jars warm in simmering water until use. Wash lids and bands in warm soapy water, rinse well and set aside
- In large sauce pan combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Boil hard for 5 minutes. Add the cranberries and then bring the mixture back to a boil
- Reduce heat and boil gently, stirring occasionally until all the cranberries have burst. If adding the orange zest, add it in the last few minutes of cooking. You want your mixture to reach 220℉ on a candy thermometer.
- At this point, you mixture can be removed from the heat, and cooled before serving.
If Canning:
- Ladle hot cranberry sauce into the hot jars leaving ¼ inch head space. Remove any air bubbles, wipe the jar rims and place the lids and rings on, adjusting the rings until finger tight.
- Process jars in a boiling water bath canner for 15 minutes (adjust time for altitude if needed). Processing time does not start until water has returned to a boil after adding the jars.
- Shut off heat, allow jars to sit in canner for 5 minutes before removing and placing on a towel on a draft free counter. Allow the jars to cool 12-24 hours, check to ensure they have sealed properly (center of lid should be down and not flex if pressed) Remove rings, label and date before storing