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Cranberry Sauce for Holiday Meringues

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Submitted by chef duquee

Cranberry sauce for holiday meringues: a glossy, ruby-red dessert sauce made from cranberry juice, sugar, lemon, and a touch of cornstarch. Perfect spooned over crisp meringues, ice cream, or pavlova.

YIELD

8 servings

PREP

5 min

COOK

10 min

READY

75 min

This is the dessert sauce that turns plain meringues into a holiday plate worth photographing. Made from cranberry juice instead of whole berries, it sets up into a glossy, jewel-toned syrup that pours like maple but tastes brighter, with that signature tart cranberry zing balanced by lemon and sugar.

Cornstarch is the thickener here, but it has to come up to a full boil for one minute to activate properly. Stop too soon and the sauce stays runny. Push much past one minute and it can break or thin out again. Watch the timer.

Serve over crisp baked meringues or pavlova with whipped cream, drizzled on cheesecake, swirled into yogurt parfaits, or alongside roast pork or duck for a savory turn.

Pro Tips

  • Whisk the cornstarch into the sugar first to prevent lumps when the liquid hits.
  • Use unsweetened or 100% cranberry juice for the brightest flavor. Cranberry cocktail works but tastes more candy-like.
  • Cool fully before pouring over meringues so they stay crisp instead of melting from the heat.
  • Keeps refrigerated up to a week in a sealed jar. Thins easily with a teaspoon of warm water.

Variations

  • Add 1 tablespoon orange zest or a splash of orange juice for a brighter, more festive sauce.
  • Stir in 2 tablespoons port, sherry, or Grand Marnier for a grown-up version.
  • Add a cinnamon stick or 2 cloves while heating, then strain out before serving for warm spice notes.

Ingredients

½ 118
CUP ML SUGAR
2 30
TABLESPOONS ML CORNSTARCH
0.6
TEASPOON ML SALT
2 473
CUPS ML CRANBERRY JUICE
1 15
TABLESPOON ML LEMON JUICE

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a heavy saucepan; stir well.

Place over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil.

Boil 1 minute; remove from heat.

Cover and chill thoroughly.

* not incl. in nutrient facts Arrow up button

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 80g (2.8 oz)
Amount per Serving
Calories 180 1% from fat
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 77mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 15g 15%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars g
Protein 0g
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 92%
Calcium 0% Iron 1%
* based on a 2,000 calorie diet How is this calculated?
Low Fat, Fat-Free, Low in Saturated Fat, Low Cholesterol, Cholesterol-Free, Trans-fat Free, Low Sodium
 

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