A delicious homemade cranberry apple sauce flavored with nutmeg, cinnamon, and lemon. Naturally sweetened with honey and maple syrup. Paleo and gluten-free.
This cran-apple sauce is tart, lightly sweet, and wonderfully textured. It’s an excellent homemade cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving, Christmas, holiday gatherings, or any time you want a bright, fruity condiment.
If you enjoy fresh cranberries, try other fruit-forward recipes for variety.
Table of Contents
- What makes this recipe great
- Recipe ingredients
- Additions/ Substitutions
- Step by step instructions
- Recipe FAQs
- How to serve this sauce
- Cranberry Apple Sauce Recipe
What makes this recipe great
- Naturally sweetened with honey and maple syrup for a balanced sweetness.
- Uses a few simple, whole-food ingredients.
- Tastes like classic cranberry sauce with a pleasant apple finish.
- Made at home with no preservatives or refined sugars.
Recipe ingredients
- Cranberries – fresh cranberries (organic if possible).
- Apple – any variety works; crisp apples like Honeycrisp are ideal.
- Lemon – lemon juice and a bit of lemon zest brighten the sauce.
- Nutmeg – adds warm, subtle spice.
- Cinnamon – gives a festive, familiar flavor.
- Honey – natural sweetener; swap with maple syrup to make vegan.
- Maple syrup – pure maple syrup for depth of sweetness.
See the recipe card below for exact measurements.
Additions/ Substitutions
- Use maple syrup instead of honey to make the recipe vegan.
- Use honey instead of maple syrup if preferred.
- Add a pinch of ground cloves or fresh/grated ginger for extra warmth.
- Substitute orange juice/zest for lemon for a softer citrus note.
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
Step 2: Stir and heat over medium-high until the mixture comes to a boil.
Step 3: Reduce to medium-low and simmer 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have burst and apples are tender.
Step 4: Transfer to a bowl and cool 20–30 minutes before serving, or cover and refrigerate for several hours for a chilled sauce.
Recipe FAQs
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5–6 days.
Yes. Make it a day ahead, cool it, store in an airtight container, and refrigerate. Flavors meld nicely overnight.
Serve it as a side dish, spread it on brie or turkey sandwiches, or use it as a glaze for grilled salmon.
How to serve this sauce
This cranberry apple sauce pairs beautifully with holiday meals. Serve it alongside roasted poultry, pork, or as part of a cheese board. A sample holiday menu might include:
- Roast chicken with apples and potatoes
- Sausage, apple, and chestnut stuffing
- Bone broth gravy
- Mashed potatoes
- Creamy Brussels sprouts casserole
- Paleo pumpkin pie or cookies for dessert
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Cranberry Apple Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cranberries
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 large apple, peeled and diced (or 2 smaller ones)
Instructions
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Add all ingredients to a saucepan, stir, and heat over medium-high until it boils.
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Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and apples are fork-tender.
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Transfer to a bowl and cool 20–30 minutes. Serve warm or chilled; refrigerate covered if not serving right away.
Notes
- Swap honey and maple syrup depending on dietary preference.
- Add cloves or ginger to vary the spice profile.
- Use orange instead of lemon for a sweeter citrus note.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.