Go Back
–+ servings
Three sealed mason jars filled with bright red cranberry apple sauce sit on a countertop, with one jar centered in front and two behind it.

Cranberry Apple Sauce

This homemade cranberry apple sauce is a sweet and tangy blend of fresh apples and tart cranberries, pureed as smooth or chunky as you like. Can it or freeze it so it's ready for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and cozy fall dinners!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Canning Time 15 minutes
Serving Size 44 servings, makes 5 1/2 pints

Ingredients

  • 6 pounds apples peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 6 cups cranberries
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 3/4 cups sugar

Instructions

  • Combine the sliced apples, cranberries, water, and sugar in a large pot. Slowly bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  • Reduce the heat so the sauce is simmering. Stir and cook until the apples are soft and the cranberries have burst open and cooked down, about 20 minutes.
  • Puree the sauce to your preferred smoothness. Taste and adjust the sweetness.

To Can

  • Ladle into hot pint or quart jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove the air bubbles, wipe the rims clean, and place the lids and rings on fingertip tight.
  • Process in a water bath canner for 15 minutes for pints and 20 minutes for quarts, adjusting for your altitude.
  • When processing is done, turn the heat off and let the jars sit in the canner for 5 to 10 minutes. Then remove and place on a towel to cool. Let the jars sit undisturbed for 24 hours, then check the seals.

To Freeze

  • Cool the sauce completely, then spoon into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little headspace.

Notes

  • Use any apples you like. I used McIntosh.
  • Apple cider or apple juice can be used instead of water.
  • Fresh or frozen cranberries both work.
  • The sugar is for sweetness, not safety, so adjust it to taste.
  • Frozen sauce keeps for up to a year. Once opened, refrigerate and use within about a week.
Altitude adjustments for pint jars:
  • 0 to 1,000 feet: 15 minutes
  • 1,001 to 3,000 feet: 20 minutes
  • 3,001 to 6,000 feet: 20 minutes
  • Over 6,000 feet: 25 minutes
Altitude adjustments for quart jars:
  • 0 to 1,000 feet: 20 minutes
  • 1,001 to 3,000 feet: 25 minutes
  • 3,001 to 6,000 feet: 30 minutes
  • Over 6,000 feet: 35 minutes

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 42IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg

These values are from a nutritional database and automatically calculated, and should only be used as an approximation.