Maple bourbon cranberry sauce is the perfect addition to Thanksgiving dinner. Equally sweet and tart, it will make you never want to buy canned sauce again!
I…. am still on a Thanksgiving kick. Last week I shared my fabulous recipe for gorgonzola green bean casserole. It has been a hit on Foodgawker and Tastespotting – which put me even more in the Thanksgiving mood.
I even went out and bought a turkey today. Boo yah.
While the turkey is defrosting I thought I would share with you another fun Thanksgiving recipe. Maple syrup meets bourbon, they get married and make a cranberry sauce baby.
Something tells me I have already gotten into the bourbon.
But seriously.
I used to be a canned cranberry sauce girl. Then last year I rounded up a bunch of awesome Thanksgiving cranberry sauce recipes and I became part of the homemade cranberry sauce fan club.
It’s a thing. I swear.
I’m on the appetizer team for Thanksgiving this year, but I am going to send this recipe over to the sides team in the hopes it gets made. Cross your fingers for me that it happens.
Maple Bourbon Cranberry Sauce
The key to this maple bourbon cranberry sauce recipe is the slow simmer. Bringing the liquid to a boil gets the heat up high and the cranberries poppin’ – the next step is building the flavor and thickening the sauce. A little cornstarch helps but letting it sit for a little bit before serving is key.
I like to eat it when its still hot, but it’s also yummy when cool.
Also, the sauce is on the sweet side. If you are a fan of tart sauces, reduce the maple syrup and brown sugar by half. The sweetness will still be there, but it will be more subtle.
Ingredients
- 12 ounce fresh cranberries
- ½ cup bourbon
- 2 cups water if you want a thicker sauce, use the smaller quantity of water
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- pinch kosher salt
Optional
- extra bourbon
Instructions
- Rinse the cranberries. Combine the cranberries, bourbon and water in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and add the maple syrup, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir well and simmer for 20 minutes. If the liquid is splashing out of the pot, cover partially. Add the cornstarch and kosher salt.
- Remove from heat and let sit 10 minutes before serving.
Optional
- Top with a splash of bourbon before serving.
Eve
Friday 18th of December 2015
I wanted a cranberry cheesecake topping that was sweet and not too tart. This came out EXACTLY as I hoped!! It's delicious! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!!
Jenny B
Wednesday 23rd of December 2015
Thank you Eve for circling back to leave your comment! I appreciate it.
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
Friday 21st of November 2014
There is nothing like homemade cranberry sauce...I don't know how anyone can eat the stuff out of a can! This looks so good! I need to try it! Pinning!
Jenny B
Saturday 22nd of November 2014
Thanks Michelle - I used to swear by the canned stuff, and then I tried my cousin's homemade cranberry sauce last year. I was a changed woman. :) Have a great weekend!
Carolyn Selheim-Miller
Wednesday 19th of November 2014
I'm on a Thanksgiving kick too! I have always had the idea to make homemade cranberry sauce but not yet the opportunity - this will definitely be the one when the time comes!
Jenny B
Wednesday 19th of November 2014
It was one of those recipes on my recipe bucket list that I had to conquer - I'm sure you have that list too. Have a happy Thanksgiving!