Since this is the last day before Thanksgiving here at Design*Sponge, I asked Grace if we could do an exceptional Wednesday post on a recipe I’m hoping you’ll be able to use this weekend, if not tomorrow. My father loves cranberry sauce, and I love the idea of making your own. Stephanie Dietz, owner of Farm to Jar Canning Company, enthusiastically shared her homemade version for Cranberry Bourbon Sauce with us. It has a little grown-up kick, so watch out! Happy Thanksgiving — Kristina
About Stephanie: Born and raised in Virginia, Stephanie Dietz is a Southern girl through and through. Cooking and baking were amongst her favorite hobbies growing up, which turned into a career and a true passion. Stephanie is the owner of Farm to Jar Canning Co., a canning company based in Brooklyn specializing in jams, jellies and pickles made from local ingredients found at Greenmarkets or nearby farms. Stephanie is also a chef at The Green Table in Chelsea Market. She resides in Brooklyn, NY, with her boyfriend, two dogs and a whole lot of mason jars.
Cranberry Bourbon Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 cups cranberries (local, if possible!)
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup cane sugar
- 1/4 cup Maker’s Mark (or the bourbon of your choice)
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon apple pie spice
Preparation
Combine cranberries and sugars in a cast-iron Dutch oven over medium heat on your stove. Mix well and often as the sugar starts to melt for about 2 to 3 minutes. Continue to add your other ingredients, stirring often, for about 20 minutes. Check the cranberries for doneness and cook until you reach the desired consistency.
Food photography by Karen Seifert; portrait photo by Megan Sperry
Why Stephanie Loves This Recipe
Thanksgiving is a really important holiday in my household. We go to great lengths to make sure everything is perfect, including making everything from scratch. I took it upon myself to develop a cranberry sauce recipe that would take next to no time to prepare but would not compromise quality. This recipe is perfect for those searching for a fast and easy way to amp up their holiday spread.
12 Comments
This is happening.
Karen’s photos look great! Love the Southern swing on this post!
Love it!
Great twist on a must-have dish. Why anyone buys canned cranberries is beyond me! It looks like you’re putting the cranberry sauce in little jars. What a cool take home idea! Happy Thanksgiving. ~CJ
Mmmm! I usually make my own cran, but nothing like this one. Shall be next on my list though!
Is this recipe appropriate for water bath canning?
tried this tonight with a few tweaks, and it’s easily the best version i’ve ever made — the bourbon really mellows out the pucker factor cranberry sauce usually has. i actually tried a bit of jack daniels honey bourbon mixed with jim beam, and maybe a quarter cup of apple cider to help the sugars melt (i used white, lt brown, and dk brown). delicious, thank you!
i just made this for tomorrow. tastes and smells amazing! make it!! love the touch of bourbon
This looks delicious and so simple to make.
I always make homemade cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving- it’s one of my favorite things! I absolutely love Stephanie’s idea for cranberry bourbon sauce and think that her use of spice is a great way to balance the flavors. Thanks, Stephanie!
glad that you guys like this recipe! it was a pleasure to share it.
and carly- i have not tried to water bath can this recipe so i couldn’t tell you for certain. cranberry sauce never lasts that long in my house but if i happen to ever try it i’ll be sure to let you know!
This was a huge hit at my thanksgiving celebration. And super simple, which is always a plus!
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