Cranberry Tangy Sweet Jelly (Printable Format)

Bright cranberry jelly with a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors for versatile use.

# What You Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries

→ Liquids

02 - 1 cup water

→ Sweetener

03 - 1 cup granulated sugar

→ Citrus

04 - 1 strip lemon zest (approximately 2 inches)
05 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

# How-To Steps:

01 - Rinse cranberries and remove any stems or spoiled berries.
02 - Place cranberries, water, and lemon zest into a medium saucepan.
03 - Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until cranberries burst and soften.
04 - Discard the lemon zest from the mixture.
05 - Press the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, extracting all juice and pulp; discard solids.
06 - Return strained liquid to the saucepan. Add sugar and optional lemon juice, stirring to combine.
07 - Bring to a boil while stirring constantly, then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the liquid thickens to a jelly-like consistency.
08 - Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
09 - Pour into a serving dish or mold and cool to room temperature before refrigerating for at least 2 hours until fully set.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It takes less than half an hour and uses only a handful of ingredients you probably already have.
  • The bright, tangy flavor cuts through rich holiday dishes without feeling heavy or overly sweet.
  • You can adjust the texture from silky smooth to rustic and chunky depending on your mood.
02 -
  • Straining is what turns this into a smooth, translucent jelly instead of a chunky sauce, so don't skip it unless you want rustic texture.
  • The jelly will look thin when hot, but it firms up beautifully in the fridge as the pectin works its magic.
  • If you're impatient like me, taste a cooled spoonful from the fridge after an hour to see how it's setting.
03 -
  • Press hard on the solids when straining to get every bit of that tart, jewel-toned liquid.
  • Add a cinnamon stick or a few cloves to the simmering berries for a warm, spiced version that feels festive.
  • Don't walk away while it's boiling with the sugar, it can foam up and overflow faster than you'd think.

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