Festive Maple Cranberry Delight Recipe That Shines on Holiday Tables

Maple cranberry delights bring a burst of seasonal magic to your kitchen, reinventing ordinary ingredients into extraordinary treats.

Sweet maple notes dance with tart cranberry undertones, creating a harmonious flavor profile that tingles taste buds.

Seasonal ingredients meld together, promising a culinary experience that captures winter’s warmth and festive spirit.

Rich amber maple syrup infuses each bite with deep, complex sweetness that lingers delicately on the palate.

Bright crimson cranberries add a vibrant splash of color and tangy brightness to these irresistible confections.

Texture plays a crucial role, balancing soft, yielding elements with delightful subtle crunch.

Home bakers will find this recipe surprisingly approachable, with straightforward techniques that yield impressive results.

Maple Cranberry: A Sweet and Tart Treat

• Bursting with Seasonal Flavor: This maple cranberry delight captures the essence of autumn with its vibrant, tangy cranberries perfectly balanced by rich, sweet maple syrup.
• Super Simple Cooking Method: The recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic cooking skills, making it accessible for home cooks of all experience levels who want to create a delicious homemade spread.
• Versatile Culinary Companion: Enjoy this smooth, silky mixture as a festive topping for toast, pancakes, yogurt, or as a unique condiment that adds a burst of seasonal excitement to various dishes.
• Healthy Homemade Goodness: Packed with natural ingredients and avoiding processed sugars, this recipe offers a nutritious alternative to store-bought spreads while delivering intense, fresh cranberry flavor.

Ingredients for Maple Cranberry

• Cranberries: Bright red berries that provide the main tart flavor and vibrant color for the recipe. Look for plump, firm berries without soft spots or blemishes.

• Maple Syrup: Rich natural sweetener that balances the cranberries' tartness and adds deep, complex flavor. Choose pure maple syrup from Canada or Vermont for best results.

• Large Heavy Saucepan or Dutch Oven: Essential cooking vessel for boiling and reducing the cranberry mixture. Ensures even heat distribution and prevents burning.
• High-Speed Blender or Food Processor: Crucial for creating a smooth, silky texture. Helps break down the cooked cranberries completely.
• Clean Jars: Perfect for storing the finished cranberry delight. Ensure jars are sterilized for longer preservation.

How to Make Maple Cranberry

Step 1: Clean Cranberries

Thoroughly rinse the cranberries under cool running water, removing any stems or damaged berries. Transfer the cleaned cranberries to a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven.

Step 2: Add Maple Syrup

Pour maple syrup over the cranberries, gently stirring to ensure every berry gets evenly coated with the sweet liquid.

Step 3: Boil and Cook Cranberries

Heat the cranberry mixture over high heat until it reaches a rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium-high and continue cooking for 5-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent berries from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Watch for the cranberries to burst open and soften, creating a vibrant sauce.

Step 4: Blend Smooth

Allow the cranberry mixture to cool slightly. Transfer the cooked cranberries to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend until the sauce becomes completely smooth and silky, with no berry chunks remaining.

Step 5: Adjust Consistency

If the sauce seems too thin, return it to the saucepan and simmer over low heat. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the desired thickness is achieved.

Step 6: Store and Chill

Carefully spoon the cranberry delight into clean glass jars. Let the sauce cool completely at room temperature. Secure the lids tightly and refrigerate. The sauce will continue to thicken as it chills.

Pro Tips for Maple Cranberry

• Rinse Thoroughly: Wash cranberries carefully under cold water to remove any dirt or debris, ensuring a clean and pure base for your recipe.
• Monitor Boiling Time: Watch cranberries closely during cooking, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and achieve the perfect soft, popped texture.
• Blend for Smoothness: Use a high-speed blender to create a silky, uniform consistency, removing any potential lumps or tough berry skins.
• Control Thickness: Simmer the mixture after blending if needed, allowing it to reduce and thicken naturally without losing its vibrant flavor.
• Proper Storage: Cool the cranberry mixture completely before transferring to sterilized jars, ensuring a tight seal to maintain freshness and extend shelf life.

Storing and Reheating Maple Cranberry

• Storage: Transfer the maple cranberry delight to airtight glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Refrigerate immediately after cooling to preserve freshness and prevent bacterial growth. Properly stored, this delightful spread will maintain its vibrant flavor and texture for up to 7-10 days.
• Reheating: Gently warm the cranberry mixture in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Alternatively, microwave in short 15-second intervals, stirring between each burst to ensure even heating. Avoid overheating to maintain the delicate maple and cranberry flavors.
• Freezing: For longer preservation, freeze the maple cranberry delight in freezer-safe containers, leaving a small space at the top for expansion. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and give it a quick stir before serving to restore its smooth consistency.

Pairing Maple Cranberry with Drinks

• Pair with Creamy Goat Cheese: The tangy, smooth goat cheese beautifully balances the sweet-tart maple cranberry sauce, creating a delightful flavor harmony on crackers or toast.
• Complement with Warm Spiced Chai: The warming spices in chai tea perfectly match the deep maple and cranberry notes, offering a cozy and comforting drinking experience that enhances the sauce's richness.
• Serve alongside Roasted Turkey: The bright, sweet-tart cranberry delight cuts through the richness of roasted turkey, providing a vibrant and zesty accompaniment that elevates the entire meal's flavor profile.
• Drizzle over Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The cool, creamy vanilla ice cream becomes a luxurious canvas for the maple cranberry sauce, transforming a simple dessert into an elegant and indulgent treat.

Maple Cranberry: Fun Variations

• Maple Cranberry Spice Blend: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for a warm, aromatic flavor profile that complements the tart cranberries and sweet maple syrup.
• Orange-Infused Cranberry Spread: Incorporate fresh orange zest and a splash of orange juice to brighten the sauce and add a citrusy undertone that enhances the cranberry's natural tanginess.
• Bourbon Maple Cranberry Compote: Stir in a tablespoon of aged bourbon during the final simmering stage to create a rich, complex flavor that adds depth and sophistication to the traditional recipe.
• Vanilla Bean Cranberry Preserve: Split and scrape a vanilla bean into the mixture while cooking, infusing the sauce with delicate, smooth vanilla notes that soften the cranberries' sharp flavor.

Maple Cranberry Delight Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Maple Cranberry Delight invites winter comfort with sweet Canadian maple and tart cranberry notes. Warm spices and rich textures create a seasonal favorite perfect for holiday gatherings and cozy moments with friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 24 ounces (680 grams) fresh cranberries

Primary Sweetener:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) pure maple syrup

Optional Substitution:

• 1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar (can replace maple syrup)

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse fresh cranberries under cool running water, then transfer them to a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, ensuring no debris remains.
2. Pour maple syrup directly over the cranberries, gently stirring to create an even coating across all berries.
3. Ignite the heat to high, bringing the cranberry and maple mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce temperature to medium-high.
4. Allow cranberries to simmer vigorously for 7 to 9 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent bottom scorching, watching for berries to burst and soften into a vibrant crimson mixture.
5. Remove the saucepan from heat and permit the mixture to cool for approximately 5 to 6 minutes, preventing potential burns during processing.
6. Transfer the warm cranberry mixture into a high-powered blender or food processor, securing the lid tightly before blending until achieving an ultra-smooth, silky consistency.
7. If the puree appears too liquid, return it to the saucepan and gently simmer for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, stirring continuously to achieve desired thickness.
8. Carefully ladle the cranberry delight into sterilized glass jars, leaving approximately 1/2 inch (1.27 centimeters) of headspace at the top.
9. Allow the mixture to reach room temperature naturally, then seal jars with tight-fitting lids and refrigerate for optimal preservation.

Notes

• Cranberries release vibrant flavor when popped during boiling, creating a rich, tangy sauce with intense natural sweetness.
• High heat triggers berry burst, transforming whole fruits into a smooth, velvety texture perfect for spreading or topping.
• Continuous stirring prevents burning and ensures even cooking, resulting in a consistent, glossy maple-infused cranberry mixture.
• Blending transforms the cooked berries into a silky, restaurant-quality sauce that elevates breakfast and dessert options.
• Cool the sauce completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation and maintain optimal texture and flavor preservation.
• Store in airtight glass jars for up to two weeks, allowing the maple and cranberry notes to meld and intensify over time.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Canadian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 120 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 2 mg
• Fat: 0.3 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 0.4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg