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This Apple Cranberry Sauce with maple syrup is refined sugar free.
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Apple Cranberry Sauce (Cranberry Relish)
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 
This homemade apple cranberry sauce (aka, apple cranberry relish) is refined sugar free, instead being sweetened with maple syrup, honey, and fresh apples. It’s a little tart, a little sweet, and the perfect make ahead side dish for Thanksgiving!
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple cranberry sauce
Servings: 2 cups (about)
Author: Michelle
Ingredients
  • 12 oz cranberries
  • 2/3 cup apple juice (I used Simply Apple Juice; it’s 100% juice from pressed apples)
  • 1 cup apples (peeled and diced)
  • 2 tsp orange zest
  • 1/3 cup - 1/2 cup pure maple syrup*
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries and apple juice together and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer.
  2. Add in apples, orange zest, maple syrup, honey and spices. Stir until combined.
  3. Allow to simmer about 12-15 minutes, or until sauce has thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool (sauce will continue to thicken as it cools).

  4. Store in the fridge until ready to serve, or if making the day of, it can be left at room temperature. 

  5. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes

*If you prefer a sweeter sauce, I'd suggest using 1/2 cup of maple syrup (or more, truly depending upon your preference). I used a 1/3 cup in my recipe for a nice tart/sweet sauce.