This homemade Cranberry Applesauce offers a fun and festive twist on the traditional recipe! With its vibrant color and delightful blend of sweet and tart flavors, it’s the perfect way to enjoy applesauce throughout the holiday season.
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This cranberry applesauce recipe is a twist on my mom’s classic applesauce, which I’ve loved since childhood. One of the best things about Mom’s recipe is that you can make it any flavor by adding 2 cups of your favorite fruit.
For this apple cranberry version, I decided to add a bit more sugar to balance things out since cranberries are pretty tart. Feel free to adjust the sugar to suit your preference.
For more ways to use fresh apples, check out my Apple Cranberry Coleslaw, Brussels Sprout Salad, and Gourmet Caramel Apples next.
Ingredients
Here’s a look at the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this applesauce recipe with cranberries.
- Apples: Provide the base for this apple cranberry sauce. I recommend Granny Smith, but Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Golden Delicious also work well. Feel free to mix them up too!
- Cranberries: You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries. If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw them first.
- Sugar: Sweetens the applesauce. I used regular granulated white sugar.
- Water: Helps the apples and cranberries cook down to create a soft and mashable texture.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a hint of tanginess and brightens the other flavors.
- Cinnamon: This warm spice perfectly complements the apples and cranberries and enhances the overall flavor of the sauce.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Refined Sugar-Free: Swap the white sugar for coconut sugar or try a liquid sweetener like maple syrup, honey, or agave. Note that you may not need as much if using a liquid sweetener, so be sure to taste and adjust the amount as desired.
- Try More Spices: Experiment with other spices, such as nutmeg, allspice, and/or ginger.
- Add Berries: Replace half of the cranberries with mixed berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries to change up the flavor.
How to Make Cranberry Applesauce
To get started, gather your ingredients and a large saucepan.
Step 1: Prepare the apples. Peel and core the apples, and then chop them into small chunks.
Step 2: Combine the ingredients. Add the chopped apples, cranberries, water, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to your saucepan. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Cook and mash. Bring the mixture to a simmer and then reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan and allow the apples and cranberries to cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, mash the cooked mixture to your desired consistency.
Step 4: Serve or store. Once the sauce has cooled, it’s ready to serve or store for later. It’s delicious warm or chilled!
Serving Suggestions
This applesauce is great for snacking, but here are some other tasty ways to enjoy it:
- Pair it with your favorite breakfast foods like these oat flour pancakes and Belgian waffles.
- Serve some of this festive applesauce alongside this savory pork Wellington or this classic beef Wellington for your holiday dinner.
- Include it on a holiday appetizer tray with crackers, bread, cheese, nuts, and festive dips like this gingerbread dip or this cranberry jalapeno dip.
Expert Tips
- Store in the Fridge: Store the applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Taste and Adjust: The sweetness and tartness of the apples and cranberries can vary, so be sure to give the sauce a taste and add more sugar or lemon juice if needed.
- Make Chunky or Smooth: If you prefer a chunkier applesauce, use a potato masher to break down the fruit to your desired consistency. For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender or standard blender. Be sure to allow the mixture to cool a bit before blending to avoid burns from splattering.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker and stir to combine. Cook for 4-5 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high. Mash or blend to your desired consistency.
Of course! Whether you’re serving a large crowd or just want to freeze some for later, feel free to multiply the recipe to suit your needs.
More Delicious Cranberry Recipes
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!
Cranberry Applesauce
Ingredients
- 4 lbs granny smith apples
- 2 cups cranberries fresh or frozen
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice the Granny Smith apples into small chunks. No need to be perfect; the apples will break down as they cook.
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the apple chunks, cranberries, water, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
- Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Once it starts simmering, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
- Let the apples and cranberries cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. The apples will soften and break down, and the cranberries will burst open, releasing their tartness into the sauce.
- Once the apples are soft and the cranberries have burst, use a potato masher or a spoon to mash the sauce to your desired consistency. For a smoother applesauce, you can use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a regular blender (in batches) to puree it.
- Taste the applesauce and adjust the sweetness or tartness if needed. Add more sugar for sweetness or a bit more lemon juice for a tangier flavor.
- Allow the cranberry applesauce to cool slightly before serving. It can be enjoyed warm or chilled, depending on your preference. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Notes
- Store in the Fridge: Store the applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Taste and Adjust: The sweetness and tartness of the apples and cranberries can vary, so be sure to give the sauce a taste and add more sugar or lemon juice if needed.
- Make Chunky or Smooth: If you prefer a chunkier applesauce, use a potato masher to break down the fruit to your desired consistency. For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender or standard blender. Be sure to allow the mixture to cool a bit before blending to avoid burns from splattering.
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