When I asked my two boys what they were looking forward to the most about the traditional Thanksgiving feast, they both exclaimed, “Cranberry sauce!” And then came pumpkin pie, turkey, mashed potatoes… Okay, perhaps their palates aren’t that discerning, but the heaps of cranberry sauce that are shoveled into their little mouths unceremoniously are enough of an endorsement for me. I found this recipe about 10 years ago in Bon Appétit Magazine and it quickly became a family favorite. Mixed with pure maple syrup (I beg of you, don’t use the fake stuff) and brown sugar, the cranberries cook down to a sweet and tangy jewel-toned sauce. I froze most of the sauce in anticipation of American Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we couldn’t resist first pairing it with pork tenderloin. It would work well with Sausage, Mascarpone Cheese & Spinach Pork Tenderloin (leave out the red wine reduction sauce).
In a large saucepan, combine 24 ounces fresh cranberries (do not thaw), 1 1/2 cups pure maple syrup,
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 3/4 teaspoon maple extract.
Stir well. The cranberries look like little jewels at this stage. I could stare at them all day.
Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the cranberry mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the cranberries pop, stirring frequently. Transfer to a bowl and cool completely.
Maple & Brown Sugar Cranberry Sauce
24 oz. fresh cranberries
1 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/2 cup water
3/4 tsp maple extract
In a large saucepan, combine cranberries, maple syrup, brown sugar, water, and maple extract. Stir well. Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the cranberry mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the cranberries pop, stirring frequently. Transfer to a bowl and cool completely.
Makes about 4 1/2 cups.
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
OK, this is the recipe I'll use for Thanksgiving cranberries. They sound yummy! I write a blog about Canada (www.closetcanuck.com), so this was fun to run into and I shall return!
The color is so beautiful. Sounds Canadian to me, probably because of the maple syrup.
I love cranberries and hope to taste this very soon. Good Luck Divina in finding them in the Philippines at a reasonable price. 
No doubt, this would have to taste wonderful!
Homemade cranberry sauce is one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving, too – and this sounds yummy!
really vibrant color and festive, just in time for thanksgiving
Oh…the maple added to the cranberry sauce sounds like a great variation.
This sounds delicious. Can't go wrong with brown sugar AND maple syrup!
i can never hv enough cranberry sauce neither.
and your addition of maple syrup sounds lovely!
This looks like a lovely and rich cranberry sauce recipe! Thanks for sharing!
I posted cranberry sauce today too! We are on the same page. Love yours!
Wow, it sounds and looks incredible! I so love the combination of flavours!
I have loved cranberry sauce since I was a girl … but Poppa Trix doesn't like it! Can you imagine? Your recipe inspires me to make it anyway and just have lots more for myself!
Mable sauce & brown sugar in cranberries, what a good kick! I would love to try some. Yum….
Thanks for all of your kind comments. We had a big dollop of this sauce on our open-faced, gravy-drowned pork sandwiches today. Heavenly!
I've never made cranberry sauce. I actually bought a bag of cranberries hoping to make something with them and I'm going to try this! Thanks Dara!
CC
You so rock!!!
I saved this. It will grace my table this yr. for Thanksgiving.
There will definitely be homemade cranberry sauce this year! With a little orange flavor of course!
how do you get so creative I love this change sounds fantastic!
I love the colours. Very xmasie. Very nice touch.
Good to be thinking about Cranberry Sauce now…as the count down begins. -One of those make ahead items that holds so well in the fridge.
Ooh, I bet the maple syrup is amazing in here. Yum!
Such a pretty color, and never thought to use maple syrup. I like it!
This cranberry sauce sounds amazing with maple syrup and brown sugar! Excellent!
Yum. I love that it is with REAL maple syrup!
Canuck Heritage Sauce – an alternate name!
Your boys have good taste (I can tell that they would though!).
I might actually eat cranberry sauce this year. This recipe sounds delicious.
Gorgeous gorgeous. Qho doesn't want those deep jewel-like reds at their table?
I make this very same cranberry sauce; the maple/brown sugar combo with the tart cranberries is just perfect!
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