Cranberry Jelly Tangy Spread (Printable)

Bright, tangy-sweet cranberry jelly ideal for spreads or holiday meals with a refreshing burst of flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruits

01 - 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries

→ Liquids

02 - 1 cup water

→ Sweeteners

03 - 1 cup granulated sugar

→ Acids

04 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

→ Optional

05 - 1 strip orange zest (2 in)

# Directions:

01 - Rinse cranberries and discard any that are soft or bruised.
02 - Combine cranberries, water, and optional orange zest in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
03 - Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until cranberries burst and soften.
04 - Discard the orange zest strip from the mixture.
05 - Press cranberry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or food mill into a clean bowl, extracting juice and pulp; discard solids.
06 - Return strained juice to saucepan; stir in sugar and lemon juice.
07 - Bring to a gentle boil and cook uncovered, stirring frequently for 8 to 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
08 - Pour hot jelly into a clean bowl or mold; cool to room temperature, then refrigerate at least 2 hours until set.
09 - Turn jelly onto a plate or spoon directly from the bowl to serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This jelly adds a secret pop of freshness that feels like sharing a cozy kitchen moment with a friend
  • The ease and quick prep made it a go-to whenever I needed a vibrant condiment without fuss
02 -
  • It's so important to press out as much juice as possible to get that smooth texture without any seeds or skins
  • Adding orange zest is a game changer for aroma but removing it before cooking thicker helps keep the jelly clear
03 -
  • Don't rush the simmering; gentle bubbling ensures the best texture without breaking down the flavor
  • Using fresh lemon juice instead of bottled makes a subtle but important difference in brightness

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