Cranberry Fresh Berry Compote (Printable)

Tangy cranberry and mixed berry compote perfect for enhancing breakfast and dessert dishes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Berries

01 - 1 cup fresh cranberries, rinsed
02 - 1 cup mixed fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)

→ Sweetener

03 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)

→ Liquid

04 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
05 - 2 tablespoons water

→ Flavorings

06 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
08 - Pinch of salt

# Steps:

01 - In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, mixed berries, sugar, orange juice, and water.
02 - Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
03 - Cook for 10 to 12 minutes until cranberries burst and the mixture thickens slightly.
04 - Stir in vanilla extract, orange zest if using, and a pinch of salt. Continue simmering for 2 to 3 minutes.
05 - Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. The compote will thicken further as it cools. Serve warm or chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes just 25 minutes from start to finish, and most of that is hands-off simmering time
  • This compote is naturally vegan and gluten-free, so it works for almost everyone at the table
  • The tart-sweet balance is absolutely addictive, making it impossible to have just one spoonful on your morning yogurt
  • It fills your kitchen with the most wonderful, warmly spiced aroma that makes your whole home smell like a bakery
02 -
  • The compote will continue to thicken as it cools, so if you think it looks a bit thin when you first remove it from heat, resist the urge to cook it longer. Trust the process.
  • Fresh-squeezed orange juice really does make a difference—the brighter, more complex citrus flavor elevates the entire dish in a way that bottled juice can't match.
  • Cranberries naturally have high pectin, which is why you don't need added gelatin or pectin—the berries do the work themselves, and respecting that natural process keeps the compote tasting pure and fresh.
03 -
  • Invest in fresh berries from the farmer's market when possible—the flavor difference is worth every penny and makes this simple recipe taste extraordinary
  • Keep your zester or microplane close while cooking; that fresh orange zest stirred in at the very end creates a flavor that tastes far more complex than the ingredient list suggests
  • Make this compote when berries are in season and at their peak—that's when the flavor is most vibrant and the cost is most reasonable, plus you're supporting local growers

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