A batch of homemade cranberry applesauce is such a tasty way to enjoy two of fall’s favorite fruits together. It is easy to make and is perfect as a snack or as a side with pork, turkey, or chicken. It is as delicious as it is beautiful!

wooden spoon filled with red cranberry applesauce held over pot of sauce.

Your Thanksgiving table is begging for this fabulous recipe instead of cranberry sauce from a can. You will find it pairs well with pork and chicken as well.

Cranberries and apples are such a wonderful combination. The sweet and tart can go together in so many ways, including cranberry apple crisp which is a fabulous fall dessert!

You can customize the final sauce to your liking. I love a good chunky applesauce, so I just mash the softened apples and cranberries with a potato masher.

hand sprinkling cranberries into pan with diced apples.

Cranberry applesauce ingredients in saucepan ready to cook

If you want a smoother sauce, I find the easiest way to accomplish that is an immersion blender. They are handy because you can use them right in the pot, there’s no transferring of hot liquid or extra dirty dishes.

You can also put the cooked sauce into a food processor or blender to get it smooth. Just be careful because it is definitely hot!

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I originally made this recipe back in 2016 to bring to our Thanksgiving dinner. I had never been a fan of the cranberry sauce in the can, so I was looking for ways to make getting cranberries on the plate more palatable.

What Apple Are Best for Making Applesauce?

Applesauce is pretty forgiving. You can get away with using most any apples, however softer apples will make the process go faster and easier.

Our local apple orchard always has pecks of seconds or B grade apples for cheaper than the really pretty apples. They are perfect for making applesauce or this cran-applesauce!

This is a great way to use up some gala or McIntosh apples. I also like using Jonathan or Jonagold apples for applesauce.

Of course you can use honeycrisp if you’d like, but those almost always get eaten out of hand at our house. Really just about any apple variety works.

jar of cranberry apple sauce next to serving in bowl.

Can I Leave the Sugar Out of This Apple Cranberry Sauce Recipe?

Cranberries are super tart, so I wouldn’t advise it. Using the half cup of brown sugar in the recipe still leaves a bit of bite in the finished sauce.

You could try subbing in honey or maple syrup for a more natural source of sweetness if that is your preference. I would use a half cup of maple syrup, but you may be able to get away with a third of a cup of honey.

You can start with less sugar and adjust it to your tastes at the end. I don’t use sugar substitutes, but I am sure you could try your favorite as long as it is meant to be cooked.

It also depends somewhat on the apples you use. If you start with sweeter apples, you may need less sugar. If you are using tart apples and tart cranberries, you will need something to help balance that out.

This applesauce version of cranberry sauce is a great way to win over even cranberry skeptics. I know it won me over and I’ve been getting more and more into cranberries ever since.

For more fun fruity sauces, check out my recipe for strawberry rhubarb applesauce or rosy applesauce with red hots. They are both tasty twists on classic applesauce.

What are your favorite recipes with cranberries?

5 from 14 ratings

Cranberry Applesauce

Author: Carlee

Servings: Servings (about 1/2 gallon)

This applesauce has the magic of cranberries mixed right in. Not only do they lend their crimson color, but a great tart burst that is will keep your taste buds dancing. This is a great snack, would be perfect stirred into a bowl of oatmeal or served as a side dish. Your Thanksgiving table is begging for this fabulous recipe instead of cranberry sauce from a jar. You will find it pairs well with pork and chicken as well.

Prep: 10

Cook: 20

Total: 30

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Place ingredients in a large heavy bottomed pot.
3-4 pounds cooking apples, 12 oz cranberries, 2 Tablespoons orange juice, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ cup light brown sugar, 1 cup water, 1 pinch salt
Stir occasionally as it comes to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce the heat to low and cover. Allow to simmer, covered for about 15 minutes or until the apples are soft enough to mash with a potato masher.
Mash to your desired consistency or use an immersion blender for a smoother finished product.
Taste and add a little more sugar or a few drops of honey if a sweeter sauce is desired.
Serve warm or cold. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Just like regular applesauce, you want to store your cranberry applesauce in the refrigerator for up to to ten days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for several months.