Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the link, I will earn a small fee at no additional cost to you. All photos by Alice G Patterson Photography.
One of the benefits of cooking for Thanksgiving is the leftovers. I never tried cranberry sauce until a few years ago. My parents always bought a small can of it every Thanksgiving. However, none of my sisters or I ever touched it. A few years ago, my sister, Alice, introduced us to fresh cranberry sauce. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it is.
Just as importantly for me, homemade cranberry sauce is easy to make! It only takes about 15 minutes to cook, but allow about 2 hours for it to cool.
Orange Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Heat water, orange juice, and sugar to boiling
- Add orange zest and cranberries
- Simmer for ~ 15 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Allow cranberry sauce to cool
- Cover and refrigerate until serving time
We use fresh cranberries, but frozen will work as well. We also use vegan sugar. If you prefer sweeter cranberry sauce, add a little more sugar. If you prefer a smoother cranberry sauce, you can mash the cranberries with a potato masher either before or after cooking.
Consider doubling the recipe so you’ll have enough cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving and to make Crantastic Crostini! It is the perfect post-Thanksgiving snack!
Crantastic Crostini
Ingredients
- baguette (toasted)
- cream cheese
- homemade orange cranberry sauce
Instructions
- Toast baguette slices if needed. (Preheat oven to 400, slice baguette and toast for 8-10 minutes.)
- Spread cream cheese on cooled baguette slices.
- Top with cranberry sauce.
- Enjoy!
We like Daiya cream cheese.
Check out our decorative pie crust too!
Is there a food you avoided as a child, only to discover that you love it as an adult?
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About Alice G Patterson Photography: Based in Syracuse, New York, Alice specializes in photography for creative women entrepreneurs.
oh my goodness- im a huge fan of cranberry but never thought ot add it to this delicious looking crostini! YUM!
Ohh we are suppose to have some friends over for a get together after Thanksgiving. I think I will give these a try. They sound like such a yummy appetizer – and they are so pretty too!
Yes please! I just love cranberry stuff, so this is the perfect snack for me. I will be trying it for sure.
What a great way to serve the cranberry sauce and I can’t wait for the Thanksgiving leftovers. I would love to make my own fresh sauce which is better than canned.
I love fresh cranberry sauce, and I bet is even better with orange zest! Can’t wait to try this.
When I read the title I wasn’t sure about it and then I saw the rest and I bet that is amazing! I can think of so many other combinations.
I bet this would be a fantastic holiday appetizer. I will put it on my list of recipes to try for the holidays.
OMG this looks so yummy. It would be perfect to make for my next gathering. I can’t wait to give it a try.
What an incredibly mouthwatering recipe! I am so thrilled cranberry season is upon us once again because I love it so much. I cannot wait to try your crostini recipe!
Yumm this looks so good, I love cranberry. I totally need to try making this, thanks for sharing this.
No doubt this will be delicious. I like fruits and berry on my bread. Certainly a must try.
Oh wow! It looks so festive! I love recipes like this that are easy to make especially during this season when we’re always busy. Love orange-cranberry combination.
Mmm….This looks delicious!!! I love putting cream cheese on my bagels so I have definitely got to try this recipe this weekend.
I had crostini before and really liked it. It wasn’t cranberry crostini, though. I need to try your recipe. Looks delish!
I love cranberry sauce and cranberry breads and cookies too. There are so many great ways to serve cranberries and they are so good for you too. This looks like a winning recipe for so many reasons.
Now this recipe sure looks amazing. I have got to try this out. I think it would be perfect for the holidays too.
I love the flavor combo! It sounds refreshing! Thanks for sharing a great recipe!
This would be a perfect treat for entertaining guests! Thanksgiving is right around the corner too!
Funny I dont like cranberry sauce but this looks like something I would try. Looks very yummy!
Ooh yum! I have a soft spot for the cranberry sauce in a can, but I can’t resist a yummy homemade version. I love the idea to spread it on the crostini too!
This sauce looks delicious. I haven’t had Cranberry sauce in a while. I can only imagine how good it tastes with the hint of orange.
Alright, I definitely need to make this ASAP. It looks so delicious, and my husband and I both love cranberries! Great suggestion for the holiday season.
This looks so good! I love cranberry but hardly ever eat it. Maybe it’s time to eat it on days that aren’t Thanksgiving.
OMG this looks SO yummy! I love cranberry and I love baguettes with cream cheese (never knew they were called crostinis, heh). Definitely trying this recipe out!
Yummmm this recipe looks amazing, I must remember it this Thanksgiving and try make it
Oh this looks divine. I’ll have to save this recipe for the holidays. Yummy.
Oh, yummmmm! I love cranberries and always stock up on them during the holiday season to freeze as I love making cranberry orange bread. This look so good, I’m Pinning! Thanks for the great idea!