Maple Bourbon Cranberry Sauce Recipe
User Reviews
5
Maple Bourbon Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Description
The Maple Bourbon Cranberry Sauce blends tart cranberries with the deep sweetness of maple syrup and molasses, enhanced by fresh orange zest and juice. Bourbon adds a subtle caramel note without overpowering the sauce. The cranberries are cooked just until they burst and soften, preserving their slight pop and texture rather than turning into jam.
Thickened slightly with a cornstarch slurry, the sauce gains a smooth, glossy consistency that clings well to serving dishes. The fresh orange zest brightens the flavor with aromatic oils, balancing the smoky and sweet undertones. Cooking the bourbon early in process ensures the alcohol cooks off while retaining its characteristic flavor depth.
This sauce serves as a flavorful complement to poultry and pork dishes, especially during festive meals. It can be made ahead and cooled to allow flavors to meld. Adding dried figs is optional to introduce a chewy texture and additional depth. The sauce is best served at room temperature to showcase its full flavor profile.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup dried figs optional, chopped
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon orange fresh zest
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ⅓ cup bourbon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup water
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch or arrowroot
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together all ingredients (the cranberries, chopped figs, maple syrup, molasses, orange zest, orange juice, bourbon, and salt).
- Continue to cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes (slightly longer if you use frozen cranberries), stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to burst and shrivel.
- In a small cup, mix together the cornstarch and water with the tines of a fork.
- Pour the cornstarch slurry into the cooking cranberry sauce and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the cranberry sauce cool to room temperature before serving. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
Notes
- Cook cranberries until just bursting to retain texture and avoid a mushy sauce.
- Add bourbon early in cooking to allow alcohol to cook off while preserving the caramel flavor.
- Grate fresh orange zest over the sauce before serving to enhance brightness and aroma.
- Optionally include chopped dried figs for added texture and sweetness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 420 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 420kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 82g | 27% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 0.3g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.02g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.04g | 0% |
| Sodium | 305mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 431mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 61g | 122% |
| Vitamin A | 164IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 39mg | 43% |
| Calcium | 113mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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