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+ servings
Holiday Cranberry & Apple Compote

Easy Holiday Cranberry & Apple Compote Bursting with Bold Flavors

Enjoy this Holiday Cranberry & Apple Compote featuring tart cranberries and sweet apples, perfect for festive occasions.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

For the Fruit Base
  • 12 oz Fresh cranberries
  • 2 cups Apples (preferably a sweet-tart variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) diced
For the Sweetness & Spice
  • 1 cup Brown sugar
  • 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
For the Liquid & Zest
  • 1/2 cup Fresh orange juice
  • 1 tbsp Orange zest
  • 1/2 cup Water
Optional Add-ins
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup Chopped pecans or walnuts optional for crunch

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan

Method
 

How to Make Holiday Cranberry & Apple Compote
  1. In a medium saucepan, add fresh cranberries, diced apples, and water over medium heat. Stir gently until mixture begins to simmer, about 5 minutes.
  2. Sprinkle in brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour fresh orange juice and add orange zest, stirring until sugar dissolves completely.
  3. Reduce heat to low and let the compote cook, stirring occasionally for 10–12 minutes, until cranberries burst and apples are tender.
  4. If mixture seems thin, simmer 2–3 more minutes uncovered. Taste and adjust sweetness or spices to your preference.
  5. Remove from heat and let the compote cool slightly. Transfer to a serving dish or jar; textures will thicken as it cools.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 1gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 3gSugar: 22gVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Allow the compote to cool slightly so it thickens perfectly; warming it too hot can make it runny. Customize with chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.

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