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Homemade Cranberry Sauce filled with fresh cranberries, plums, apples, and pecans. Spiced with orange, cinnamon and star anise.

"Decked Out" Cranberry Sauce with Plums and Apples

Pantry To Table
This updated version is a flavorful spin on traditional cranberry sauce.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cool Time: 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 304.29 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 12-ounce bag fresh cranberries
  • 3 plums, pitted, and diced into 1/2" pieces, no need to peel
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice 2/3
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • zest from 1 large orange, (1 heaping tablespoon)
  • 2 - 3 whole star anise, see Notes
  • 2 cinnamon sticks, see Notes
  • 3/4 cup apple, any variety, peeled and diced (I like about 1/4" pieces)
  • 1/2 cup pecans, chopped and toasted

Instructions
 

  • In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add the cranberries, plums, orange juice, sugar, zest, star anise and cinnamon. Bring to a gentle boil.
  • Cook the mixture for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cranberries have (mostly) popped, the plums are mostly dissolved, and there is little liquid left in the pan.
  • Set the pan aside to cool for another 30 minutes.
  • Using tongs, fish out the star anise and cinnamon sticks and discard.
  • Stir in the apples and pecans.
  • Scrape the cranberry sauce into a serving bowl and serve at room temperature or cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
  • Cover and refrigerate any leftovers for up to 5 days.

Notes

Make sure the star anise and cinnamon sticks are from a new or fairly newly opened package. These spices, like all, will lose their potency over time and result in weak flavor infusion. Also, using whole star anise instead of small pieces makes finding them much easier in the sauce. 
The Cranberry Sauce can be prepared, completely cooled, placed in a very air-tight cand freezer-safe container and frozen for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts
"Decked Out" Cranberry Sauce with Plums and Apples
Amount per Serving
Calories
304.29
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
9.74
g
15
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.83
g
5
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2.91
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
5.43
g
Sodium
 
2.43
mg
0
%
Potassium
 
281
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
 
56.63
g
19
%
Fiber
 
5.45
g
23
%
Sugar
 
46.39
g
52
%
Protein
 
2.26
g
5
%
Vitamin C
 
34.99
mg
42
%
Calcium
 
28.79
mg
3
%
Iron
 
0.85
mg
5
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword fresh cranberry sauce, fresh cranberry recipe, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving side dish, Christmas side dish, Friendsgiving side dish, holiday recipes, fresh cranberry side dish
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