Jellied Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:
2 cups cranberries
2 1/2 cups cranberry juice
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 oz unflavored gelatin

Directions:

In a saucepan simmer the cranberries, 2 cups cranberry juice, and sugar for about 20 minutes, whisking occasionally, or until all of the cranberries have popped and left empty skins behind. Meanwhile, sprinkle the gelatin over 1/2 cup cranberry juice to soften in a small bowl. Whisk the gelatin mixture into the cranberry berry mixture. Strain this into a bowl or pitcher, mashing the pulp with the back of the spoon to release all of the juice and bits. Discard the leftover pulp/skins. Pour into a gelatin mold or cupcake pan for individual servings.* Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, unmold** and serve*** as a side dish or a light dessert.

* If you are worried about your mold or pan sticking or if you have the type of mold that doesn’t open on both sides, you might want to lightly spray with cooking oil.

**run under warm water for a couple of seconds if doesn’t release right away.
***You could also make this the night before you are going to serve it.

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My thoughts:

As result of many family Thanksgivings where it was served, I do have a secret fondness for the sort of cranberry sauce that comes out of the jar with the little can ridges intact. Embarrassing, I know. So to regain some credibility, I came up with this homemade version. It’s slightly tart and has little bits of seeds and cranberry pulp suspended in intensely cranberry flavored gelatin. Much tastier than the canned stuff while still retaining that sort of retro feel. I actually have
individual-sized Tupperware Jell-O molds so I used them. They are awesome because they have two seals: a star design seal on the top and a larger seal for the whole bottom. When you open one, then the other, the suction breaks and the gelatin slides right out. It would also work well in a standard sized mold or cupcake pan. Fear the jellied cranberry sauce no more.

11 Comments

  1. Ya know, I just found out that my friend’s in-laws aren’t coming to T-giving dinner, and they were supposed to bring the cranberries. If I were the brave kind, I’d go back to the store (it was a madhouse today!) tomorrow and get the stuff to make this! They are SO adorable!

  2. Now we are talking. I love that stuff, I have no idea why.

  3. So pretty! The gelatin wouldn’t fly with the veggie wife

  4. *drool* jellied cranberry sauce… yummm…. had plenty of that in New England 🙂 good times!

  5. hi,
    It’s like a jewelry!!!

    What a beatiful color.
    I like it very much.

  6. I’m a sucker for anything in a novel shape.

  7. WOW! very interesting…
    it looks really pretty and special(!)
    I love it! =)

  8. Happy Thanksgiving Rachel!

  9. Never understood the whole cranberry thing. Never ever. Looks a little tasty, though. Anyway, happy thanksgiving!

  10. I just tried your recipe and turned out very good. Thanks.

  11. Beautiful! I've been wondering what to do with my vintage molds!