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    Home » Recipes » Cranberries

    November 9, 2022 · Updated August 28, 2023

    10 Minute Fresh Cranberry Compote

    5 from 1 vote
    2 Comments

    · by Amanda Gajdosik

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This post may contain affiliate links. This blog generates income via ads.

    A pin to share the recipe for fresh cranberry compote.

    This Fresh Cranberry Compote Recipe is ready in just 10 minutes and requires only 4 ingredients! It’s like a simplified version of traditional cranberry sauce that’s sweet, tart, and scented with fresh orange. Serve it on buttermilk pancakes, waffles, or cast iron cornbread.

    An overhead view of a jar filled with cranberry compote on a white tray.

    My obsession with compotes continues! It’s hard to pick a favorite when we’ve got rhubarb compote, mulberry compote, and pear compote to choose from. And now cranberry compote, too! I’ll never tire of these simple fruit sauces.

    You can even blend and stir this compote into a batch of simple no-churn cranberry ice cream!

    Ingredients for this recipe

    • Fresh Cranberries – You can also use frozen cranberries if you’ve got them.
    • Orange – The zest and juice of one large orange compliments the tart cranberries perfectly.
    • Sugar – A necessary ingredient in any compote recipe.
    • Water – More on why we’re adding water to this fruit sauce in the section below.

    Water in Fruit Sauce?

    Traditional French compote is made by cooking whole pieces of fruit in simple syrup. Homemade simple syrup is comprised of a 1:1 ratio of sugar dissolved into water.

    While my other compote recipes don’t incorporate water, it was necessary to add it to this one because fresh cranberries have a very low moisture content. Rhubarb and mulberries and pears release a lot of their natural juices (aka water) when they cook down, cranberries do not because they don’t have much to release!

    Adding a bit of water to the sauce helps to keep it a lovely, smooth consistency. You’re welcome to add more or less than the recipe calls for, depending on your preference.

    Making Fresh Cranberry Compote

    1. Add everything to the pan. And set over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
    2. Cook until cranberries burst. They break down so quickly!
    3. Enjoy! Serve any which way you’d like.  
    Add the ingredients to a pot.
    Cook down to a beautiful sauce.

    Storage and Freezing Instructions

    The compote can be stored in a container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Alternatively, it can be frozen. Here’s how:

    • Fill a quart-sized, freeze-safe plastic bag with cranberry compote.
    • Squeeze out any excess air.
    • Properly label and date the bag with the contents.
    • Lay flat in the freezer until solid (you can then store the bag upright, if desired).

    Compote can be frozen for up to six months. Thaw in the fridge before using. 

    A freezer bag filled with fresh cranberry compote with a piece of tape with the label and date.

    Watch the recipe video!

    A glass jar filled with cranberry compote on a white tray.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    10 Minute Fresh Cranberry Compote Recipe

    This simple recipe uses fresh cranberries, real orange, and a bit of sugar to create a fruit sauce that is ready in just 10 minutes! Serve on top of pancakes, waffles, or cornbread.
    Prep Time2 minutes mins
    Cook Time8 minutes mins
    Total Time10 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cranberry compote, cranberry recipe, fresh cranberries
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 99kcal
    Author: Amanda Gajdosik
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Saucepot
    • Rubber Spatula
    • Storage Jar with Lid

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 orange zested and juiced

    Instructions

    • In a sauce pot combine 12 ounces fresh cranberries, ¾ cup sugar, ½ cup water, and the juice and zest of 1 orange.
    • Set pot over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have burst and broken down to create a sauce. This will take about 6 - 8 minutes. Sauce is ready when it easily drips off a spoon.

    Video

    Notes

    • Frozen, whole cranberries can also be used straight from the freezer in place of the fresh.
    • ⅓ cup bottle orange juice can be substituted for the fresh orange, if desired.
    • If you walk away from the sauce and come back to a consistency that’s too thick, stir in additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
    • Refer to post for freezing instructions.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.25cups | Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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    Comments

      5 from 1 vote

      Leave a rating and review! Cancel reply

      Did you love the recipe? Let me know! And let others know too by leaving a comment and star rating. Reviews are so useful in helping other people find my site and make my recipes. Your support means the world to me!

      Amanda

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Claire says

      November 22, 2023 at 1:32 am

      5 stars
      I recently made this and used it as a cake filling and it was delicious! The perfect balance of sweet and tart.

      Reply
      • Amanda Gajdosik says

        November 24, 2023 at 5:59 pm

        Oh! Love the idea of using this in a cake! Thanks for rating and reviewing, Claire 🙂

        Reply

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