Classic Molded Cranberry Sauce Recipes

Steps:

• Heat water and sugar to boiling in 2-quart saucepan, stirring occasionally; boil 1 minute. Stir in cranberries. Heat to boiling; boil 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in gelatin until dissolved. Stir in pineapple, celery and walnuts.
• Pour into ungreased 6-cup mold, 8 individual molds or stemmed goblets. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours until firm. Unmold onto salad greens. Garnish with celery leaves and additional cranberries, if desired.

Steps:

• Combine the cranberries, sugar, 1 1/2 cups water and the lemon and orange zest and juice in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer the cranberry sauce to a bowl and refrigerate until cold and thickened but still saucy, at least 4 hours and up to 1 week.

Steps:

• Empty a 12-ounce bag of fresh or frozen cranberries into a saucepan and transfer 1/2 cup to a small bowl. Add 1 cup sugar, 1 strip orange or lemon zest and 2 tablespoons water to the pan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries are soft, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and cook until the cranberries burst, about 12 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the reserved cranberries. Add sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Let cool.
• Heat 1/2 cup cranberry juice over low heat, then stir in a 1/4-ounce packet gelatin. Puree cooled cranberry sauce with another 1/2 cup cranberry juice, then add the gelatin mixture. Pour into a mold or empty soup cans and refrigerate overnight. Serve with whipped cream.

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest and juice, cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and mixture thickens slightly, 12 to 15 minutes. (Sauce will thicken more as it cools.) Remove from heat; let cool completely. Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Steps:

• In a medium pot, combine the cranberries, sugar and water. Stir to blend. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce to a simmer and add the cinnamon stick, allspice and nutmeg. Stir to blend and simmer for an additional 5 to 7 minutes. Some of the cranberries will burst and some will remain whole. Add the orange juice and zest, stir and allow to cool before serving.

Steps:

• Place the sugars, orange juice, water, and cinnamon in a heavy saucepan, and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the cranberries and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook over medium heat until the berries pop, about 10 minutes. Mash the mixture with a spoon to pop any unpopped berries and help thicken the sauce, if desired, and reduce heat to low and simmer until the sauce is the desired thickness, up to 10 more minutes.
• Remove from the heat, pour the sauce into a bowl, and chill until serving time. Sauce will thicken as it cools.

Steps:

• Bring water and sugar to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add cranberries and simmer, stirring occasionally, until berries just pop, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in zest, then cool. Do Ahead: Cranberry sauce may be made 3 days ahead and chilled, covered. Editor's note: This recipe was originally published in the November 1999 issue of 'Gourmet' and first appeared on Epicurious in August 2004. Head this way for more of our best Thanksgiving sides →

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, 2 cups water, the sugar and salt. Let the sauce boil until it thickens; the water will evaporate and the pectin in the cranberries will be activated as it cooks. Let it boil for at least 10 minutes, and up to 25 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Stir in juice or liqueur, if using, then cover sauce well and chill. Sauce can be made up to this point 1 week in advance and kept refrigerated. A few hours before serving, stir in the pecans, if using.