Are you looking for a great syrup with the flavors of fall/winter? This Easy Cranberry Syrup Recipe is just the one you are looking for. It is the best for topping pancakes, waffles, french toast, and anything else you can think of. During this time of year, cranberries are where it is at, so let's make good use of them.
What Makes This Syrup So Good?
The flavors!! I designed this recipe with the perfect combo of cranberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The deep, rich cranberry flavor is everything. It is a sweet cozy taste and feels.
Another thing to love is this recipe is so simple to make. It all comes together in 15-20 minutes. I love a recipe like this. It also only uses 5 ingredients.
It holds well for a long time. Make a double batch and you are good to go for 2-3 weeks! It is really good if you are feeding a crowd.
I know this syrup will quickly become one of your favorite recipes!!
Ingredients
- Fresh Cranberries- I like to use fresh best and is the only way I have made this recipe. You can find a bag of cranberries in just about any grocery store this time of year. Frozen cranberries would also work well too, but I cannot speak for them as I have only used fresh.
- Granulated sugar- If you don't want to use white sugar, you can also use honey or pure maple syrup if you are wanting to keep it a clean eating recipe. Brown sugar would also be good with that molasses undertone.
- Cinnamon- Is there anything better than cranberries and cinnamon.It only takes a little cinnamon, but well worth it.
- Nutmeg- Honestly, I will never leave the nutmeg out of a fall/winter food I make. It is a common spice in my kitchen!
- Cloves- Another great trio with the Cinnamon and Nutmeg.
How To Make
This is a really easy syrup to make. If you have not ever made a fruit syrup, you will be hooked after this.
Add all your ingredients to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 10-15 minutes. I like to cook it in a heavy saucepan, these are much better for heat distribution.
The cranberries will burst, the sugar will dissolve and the sauce will thicken just slightly.
Pour the sauce into a food processor or blender and blend until it is smooth. You can strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer to remove any chunks that are left or just leave it as I did.
If it isn't thick enough, add it back to the saucepan and cook over lower heat until it is a thick as you want.
Let the syrup cool slightly or serve it warm. It is really good either way, I promise!
That is it!! I am telling you, this is one of those easy recipes you will make over and over.
Notes
I used ground cinnamon, but you could also add a cinnamon stick to the sauce while it is cooking. When you get ready to blend, just take it out and proceed from there.
You could also use star anise too, the flavor is delicious in this recipe.
If you want to add another depth of flavor to this recipe, you could also add in 1 tablespoon of orange zest (orange peel) and ½ cup orange juice. In the same vein, you could also add in lemon juice if you like.
It takes less than one cup of sugar for this recipe, but you can always reduce it if you want. A syrup that is a little more tart is still really delicious!
The best way to store this is in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be good for at least 2 weeks. I prefer a sealed container to plastic wrap or tinfoil and it holds air out much better and helps it last longer.
This can be served hot or at room temperature. I love it both ways!
Serving Ideas
My favorite thing is to pour syrup over my pancakes, but let's not relegate this to only one use. While this is really good on breakfast goods like pancakes, waffles, french toast, etc. It is also really good at other things, let me give you are a few ideas.
Another great way to use homemade cranberry syrup on vanilla ice cream? Yes, it is as good as it sounds.
You could even use this to make cranberry cocktails or mocktails. Add in your favorite liquor or my favorite for a mocktail are cream soda or even just sparkling water.
How about making a parfait with yogurt, granola, and this yummy syrup?
Any way you choose to serve this, it will be a party for your taste buds!!
Gift Ideas
Let me give one other suggestion. What about this syrup for a food gift?
Pour it into pretty glass bottles? Add a cute tag and ribbon and it is ready to go!
How about packaging it up in a basket with pancake mix or waffle mix.
Or you could make a gift basket with yogurt and homemade granola. Add that pretty bottle of syrup in there as well.
Homemade cranberry sauce makes a beautiful gift during the holiday season.
FAQ
No can do. The flavor is not the same! While cranberry sauce can be cooked down and reduced, I just don't think the flavor is the same or as good.
This syrup is good for at least 2 weeks.
I am not sure about that? Having never tried making this with the canned stuff, I have no idea what that would taste like?
More Cranberry Recipes
- Cranberry orange sauce
- Cranberry Oatmeal
- Cranberry Orange Brioche Star Bread
- Another bread- Cranberry Swirl Bread
- Cranberry Jalapeno Jelly
- Cranberry Orange Muffins
Cranberry Syrup with Spices
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¾ cup sugar or honey
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium-sized saucepan and heat over medium heat.
- Mix occasionally and cook for about 10-15 minutes. You want the cranberries to have burst and the sauce to have thickened.
- Move to a food processor or blender and pulse until it is smooth.
- From here you can either leave it like it is, or strain it. I personally did not strain mine, but that is up to you!
- That is it! Now, sit back and enjoy. You deserve it!