Apple Cranberry Compote

5 from 3 votes

Homemade Apple Cranberry Compote is a showstopper for the holidays, but it's easy and delicious enough to be enjoyed year-round. Fresh cranberries and apple are simmered together to create a sweet, tart, and vibrant fruit sauce. With only 6 ingredients and 20 minute cook time, it couldn't be any easier!

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Servings servings

Calories 114

Author Jessica Kwon

Ingredients

¾ cup apple juice
½ cup white granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar tightly packed
¾ teaspoon cinnamon
12 oz fresh cranberries about 4 cups
1 apple peeled and diced into ½" cubes; about 1½ cups (see notes)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Add apple juice, white sugar, and brown sugar to a saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring often to dissolve the sugars and prevent it from burning on the bottom.
Add the cranberries, cubed apple, and cinnamon. Return to a boil, then turn heat down to medium for a constant simmer. Let cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until thickened. Option to leave some cranberries whole or pop it by smashing it against the wall of your pot.
Take off the heat and let cool for a few minutes. It will continue to thicken. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Notes

Apple: I recommend using a sweet, crunchy apple that will hold its shape well. There are so many apple varieties but my favorite is the versatile Fuji apple. Honeycrisp, Envy, or Gala apples would also be great in this Apple Cranberry Compote. For a softer texture, try McIntosh, Golden Delicious, or Red Delicious apple.
I highly recommend making Apple Cranberry Compote in advance! Making it the day before will guarantee freshness and proper gel-like consistency, but you can make it up to 1 week in advance.
Substitutions:
- Replace both the white and brown sugar with ¾ cup maple syrup for a natural sweetener.
- Use one cinnamon stick in place of the ground cinnamon. Remember to remove it before serving.
- If using frozen cranberries instead of fresh, you will not need to thaw it beforehand. Increase the cooking time as there will be more water.

Nutrition