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Decadent Maple Brandy Cranberry Sauce Holiday Recipe

I get so excited when fresh cranberries come into season. I absolutely love adding them to my holiday table because they add that rich dark red color and they’re so festive. Every holiday season, I purchase a fresh bottle of Brandy. I love making this Brandy Maple Cranberry Sauce recipe for our holiday meals (I also make a Christmas Bread Pudding with Brandy Sauce). These cranberries are sweet and full of great fall flavor. You’ll never open a can of cranberries again!

Sweet with a hint of maple, these Brandy Maple Cranberries are always a hit during the holiday season. You'll never go back to canned cranberries again. #CranberryRecipe #CranberrySauce #BrandyRecipe

If you’ve never made fresh cranberries before, they’re actually quite easy. I also think they’re kinda fun to make because you watch them pop over the stovetop. There are so many great variations, but I love that maple adds a touch of sweetness and flavor depth. The Brandy adds an extra depth of fruit flavor. Together, they’re a great match for cranberries.

Looking for more cranberry recipes? I’ve got you covered! Cranberry Chocolate Chip Macaroons are a delicious and easy cookie. Cranberry Fluff Salad is a vintage holiday side dish recipe. Cranberry Orange Bread is a big hit with the kids. Lastly, you’ve got to try a Cranberry Mint Mojito  for a cocktail recipe.

How To Make Brandy Maple Cranberry Sauce

You can purchase fresh cranberries at your local grocery store starting in mid-October. They’re usually pretty budget friendly as well. Freeze them for up to one year and use them in all of your favorite cranberry recipes. I love keeping them on hand in our freezer.

Brandy Maple Cranberry Sauce Recipe

What To Serve Alongside Brandy Maple Cranberry Sauce

This is such a classic holiday recipe. It’s the star of my side dishes and goes along with all of the other traditional American side dishes for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Serve it with your Holiday Ham or Roasted Turkey recipe.

When To Make Your Cranberry Sauce

You can always make your Brandy Maple Cranberry Sauce ahead of time and let it cool in the refrigerator. It will gel in the refrigerator and you just stir it again before serving. If you’d like to make it the day off, allow it to cool 1-2 hours in the refrigerator before serving. On Thanksgiving and Christmas, I will make them in the morning so they have time to chill.

What You’ll Need From The Grocery Store:

  • Maple Syrup
  • Fresh Cranberries (12 ounces)
  • Brown Sugar
  • Lemon Juice
  • Brandy

Step-By-Step Directions To Make Brandy Maple Cranberry Sauce

Combine water and maple syrup in a saucepan; bring to a boil.

Water and Maple Syrup together over stovetop

Add cranberries to syrup mixture and cook at a boil until berries pop, 10 to 15 minutes.

Fresh cranberries popping over stovetop and cooking

Stir brown sugar and lemon juice into cranberries until brown sugar is completely dissolved. Mix in brandy.

Adding Brandy To Cranberry Sauce

Chill for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator before serving. You can add cinnamon sticks for garnish as an option.

Yield: 12 Servings

Decadent Brandy Maple Cranberry Sauce Holiday Recipe

Brandy Maple Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Sweet, with a hint of maple, this Brandy Maple Cranberry Sauce recipe is a classic hoilday side dish that adds so much color to your table.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Water
  • 1 Cup Maple Syrup
  • 1 (12 ounce) Bag Fresh Cranberries
  • 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
  • 1 Dash Lemon Juice
  • 1 Tablespoon Brandy

Instructions

  1. Combine water and maple syrup in a saucepan; bring to a boil.
  2. Add cranberries to syrup mixture and cook at a boil until berries pop, 10 to 15 minutes.
  3. Stir brown sugar and lemon juice into cranberries until brown sugar is completely dissolved. Mix in brandy.
  4. Allow to chill 1-2 hours before serving.

Notes

You don't need to purchase an expensive Brandy for these cranberries to taste great. The alcohol gets cooked off and you're just getting the flavor.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 80Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 4mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 0gSugar: 18gProtein: 0g

**Nutrition is calculated by a third party. Actual values may vary.

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