Easy Homemade Cranberry Applesauce 🍎 A vibrant blend of tart cranberries, tender apples, pure maple syrup, warm spices, and bright citrus - fresh, flavorful, and ready in minutes.
If you've never tried cranberries and apples cooked together, you're in for something special. This homemade cranberry applesauce has the perfect balance of tart, sweet, and warmly spiced flavors, all brightened with lemon juice and orange zest. It's quick to make, naturally sweetened with maple syrup, and adds a fresh pop of color to everything from weekday meals to festive holiday spreads.
I created this recipe one year when I wanted a lighter, fruit-forward side to balance our rich Thanksgiving favorites, and it instantly became a keeper. The way cranberries and apples mingle reminds me of the cozy flavors in my Old Fashioned Vegan Applesauce Cake, and now I make this sauce all season long- not just for the holidays. It's wonderful with brunch dishes, spooned alongside my herbed tofu, or enjoyed warm right from the pot. Simple, bright, and so easy… it always brings a little extra sparkle to the table.
★★★★★ I'm not sure why I never thought that cranberries and apples would make the most amazing sauce...but they do! I can't wait to make this again for Thanksgiving!" Emily
🥕Did you know? Cranberries are one of the only commercial fruits native to North America.
Why this recipe works
- Makes a light, delicious & colorful dessert, side dish or snack
- Very easy to make
- Serve during the holidays or anytime!
- Can be prepared with homemade or store-bought applesauce
- Add or substitute ingredients as needed
Ingredients
With just a few basic ingredients you can have a batch of this easy & delish cranberry applesauce ready to serve in less than 30 minutes!
See the printable recipe card below for quantities and complete details.
- Applesauce - homemade (preferred) or store-bought
- Fresh cranberries
- Water
- Maple Syrup - may be substituted with agave nectar, vegan honey, or sugar.
- Nutmeg - ground
- Cloves - ground
- Orange Zest - may substitute with lemon zest
🥕Tip: Adding ground nutmeg and cloves will give the applesauce a wonderful holiday flavor, but can be omitted if you prefer.
Be sure to check out my recipe for making simply the best homemade applesauce. I think you'll agree it's so much better than store-bought and very easy to prepare. Here's the recipe.
Instructions
- Prepare a batch of easy homemade applesauce, (or use store-bought).
2. Gather other ingredients & rinse cranberries, making sure to remove any stems.
3. Pour maple syrup and water in stovetop pot.
4. Add fresh cranberries.
5. Place over high heat and bring to a rolling boil. Cover pot (to avoid splatters).
6. Once boiling, reduce heat to a low boil and allow cranberries to simmer until the skins pop and berries are soft.
7. When the cranberries are tender, remove from heat and strain off liquid.
8. Add cooked cranberries and spices to applesauce. Stir to combine and enjoy!
🥕 Tip: I love adding whole cranberries to my applesauce, but if you prefer a smoother texture (like the image below), simply purée the cooked cranberries in a blender or food processor together with the applesauce. Pulse until it's a texture you like.
This easy homemade cranberry applesauce is a tasty, light, & healthy snack!
FAQ's
Can I use store-bought applesauce in this recipe?
If you're short on time, you can definitely use store-bought applesauce, but in my opinion, nothing beats homemade.
How long do fresh cranberries last?
Cranberries should remain fresh for up to one month in a refrigerator. Dull or wrinkled looking cranberries are not fresh and should be discarded. You can also freeze them for several months, providing you place them in a freezer as soon as you bring them home from the store. Here is a website with details and tips on safely freezing fresh cranberries.
How should I store cranberry applesauce?
Package applesauce in an airtight container and store refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months. Thaw in a refrigerator before using.
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Love cranberries? Here's a few more cran-tastic recipes you might enjoy!
If you love this recipe ★★★★★ please be sure to rate it below! Sharing your experience lets me know that you enjoyed it and will help other readers decide if they should give the recipe a try too. Thanks a bunch!🥕
Recipe
Easy Homemade Cranberry Applesauce with Maple Syrup
Equipment
- Large covered pot
- large strainer or colander
Ingredients
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse/drain cranberries
- Pour water, maple syrup and cranberries into a 5 qt. or larger stovetop pot and cover with lid (to prevent splatters).
- Place over med-high heat until liquid is boiling. Reduce heat to simmer, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes until cranberries pop open and soften.
- Remove from heat. Strain liquid from cranberries.
- Spoon cranberries into applesauce. Stir until combined or if you prefer a smoother sauce, place cranberries and applesauce into into a blender and pulse until puréed.
- Stir in spices and zest (if desired).
- Allow to cool, then transfer into an airtight container. Store refrigerated up to 3 days.
Notes
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Sarah says
What a great looking sauce, and versatile. I can't usually get fresh cranberries where I am, could I use frozen instead?
Cindy Mom, the Lunch Lady says
I am loving this cranberry applesauce. It would be an amazing addition to a pork dinner.
Lara says
What a delicious sounding recipe. I’m going to try it with pan roasted pork tenderloin.
Connie Edwards McGaughy says
Thanks very much Lara! I love serving cranberry applesauce with pan-seared tofu.😊
Emily Flint says
I'm not sure why I never thought that cranberries and apples would make the most amazing sauce...but they do! I can't wait to make this again for Thanksgiving!
Andrea White says
Love this! Perfect for the holiday season coming up!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Yum! Loved how easy this cranberry applesauce was to make! It was so delicious as well! I loved the tang of the cranberries!
Connie Edwards McGaughy says
Once I realized how easy & delicious it is to make my own applesauce, I rarely buy store-bought anymore. This recipe for cranberry applesauce combines two of my favorite fruits into one wonderful dish!