Cranberry Syrup (Printable Version)

A vibrant, tangy syrup bursting with fresh cranberry flavor and rich color for pancakes, cocktails, or desserts.

# What You Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

→ Sweeteners

02 - 1 cup granulated sugar

→ Liquids

03 - 1 cup water

→ Flavorings

04 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
05 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, and water.
02 - Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
03 - Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened slightly.
04 - Remove the saucepan from heat. For a smooth syrup, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or jar, pressing firmly to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
05 - Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla extract if desired, mixing until evenly incorporated.
06 - Allow the syrup to cool completely; it will continue to thicken as it cools. Transfer to a sealed jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This syrup takes literally five minutes of active work and the stove does everything else while you scroll your phone or load the dishwasher.
  • It turns plain pancakes, boring yogurt, and even a basic vodka soda into something that makes people ask what your secret is.
02 -
  • Do not walk away from the pot during the boil because cranberry foam can rise fast and make a sticky mess on your stove that you will regret later.
  • The syrup seems thin when it is warm but transforms into a luscious consistency once chilled, so trust the process and resist the urge to overcook it.
03 -
  • Save the cranberry solids after straining because they make a fantastic topping for toast or oatmeal and throwing them out is a waste of good fruit.
  • If you want a thicker syrup for plating desserts, let it simmer an extra five minutes and it will coat the back of a spoon like magic.

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