Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 22 mins

Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

• 12-ounce bag of fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 cup of water
• Optional: zest of one orange, a cinnamon stick, or a splash of orange juice for extra flavor

Directions

• Rinse the Cranberries: If you're using fresh cranberries, rinse them under cold water and pick out any that are soft or spoiled.

• Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, and water. If you're adding any optional ingredients like orange zest or a cinnamon stick, add them now.

• Cook the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer. Stir occasionally.

• Simmer Until Thickened: Continue to simmer the sauce for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can mash the cranberries with the back of a spoon.

• Cool and Serve: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the cranberry sauce cool to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Once cooled, transfer it to a serving dish or an airtight container for storage.