Go Back

Orange Amaretto Cranberry Sauce

Orange amaretto cranberry sauce simmers fresh cranberries with orange juice and zest until the berries burst and the sauce thickens. A splash of amaretto stirred in off the heat adds a fragrant finish, and the sauce thickens further as it cools.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
cooling 20 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 110
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bag (12 oz) cranberries fresh, picked over and rinsed
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup orange juice
  • 0.25 cup water
  • 1 tsp orange zest finely grated
  • 2 tbsp amaretto

Equipment

  • 1 2-quart saucepan

Method
 

  1. Combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, and orange zest in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened.
  3. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the amaretto.
  4. Cool for at least 20 minutes before serving, as the sauce will thicken further as it cools.

Notes

For the best texture, let the sauce cool fully so it can thicken. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 10 days; it freezes well for up to 2 months. For an alcohol-free variation, replace the amaretto with a small amount of almond extract.