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Orange Amaretto Cranberry Sauce

Orange amaretto cranberry sauce made with a quick simmer until the berries burst, then finished with amaretto and orange zest for a glossy, jammy texture. A simple saucepan method that chills into a spoonable side for fall and holiday tables.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
chill 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cranberries
  • 12 oz fresh cranberries Use fresh cranberries for best burst and texture.
Sweetener and liquids
  • 0.75 cup sugar Helps thicken into a jammy sauce as it simmers.
  • 0.75 cup orange juice Provides the orange flavor base for the sauce.
  • 0.25 cup water Used to dissolve sugar at the start.
  • 0.25 cup amaretto Stir in off the heat to keep the flavor bright.
  • 1 tsp orange zest Add after simmering for fresh citrus aroma.
  • 0.06 salt Pinch of salt balances sweetness and boosts fruit flavor.
Toppings
  • 2 tbsp sliced almonds Toast until fragrant for crunch; add right before serving.

Equipment

  • 1 saucepan

Method
 

Simmer the cranberry base
  1. Bring sugar, orange juice, water, and salt to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture looks clear and syrupy.
  2. Add the fresh cranberries and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the berries burst and the sauce thickens to a glossy, spoon-coating consistency.
Finish with amaretto and citrus
  1. Remove the saucepan from the heat, then stir in amaretto and orange zest until fully combined and fragrant.
  2. Let the sauce cool to room temperature, then chill until ready to serve so it becomes thicker and holds its shape.
Serve
  1. Top the chilled cranberry sauce with toasted sliced almonds just before serving for the best crunch and aroma.

Notes

Pro tip: Simmer only until the berries burst and the sauce noticeably thickens—overcooking can make it stiff. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Freeze yes—freeze in a sealed container up to 1 month, then thaw overnight in the fridge and stir. For a lighter option, use half sugar and half a no-sugar-added alternative that measures like sugar (sweetness may vary).