Name: Smoked Sausage Cranberry Appetizer
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Fully Cooked Smoked Sausage (Beef or Turkey)Use a high-quality, fully cooked sausage, sliced into half-inch thick rounds; the smoked variety provides the essential deep, savory base.; Whole Cranberry Sauce (Canned or Homemade)Do not use the jellied version; whole cranberries provide the necessary texture and intense tartness for the glaze.; Brown Sugar (Packed)This ingredient adds deep molasses notes and promotes rapid caramelization, helping the sauce become beautifully thick and glossy.; Apple Cider VinegarA crucial acid element that brightens the entire dish and balances the intense sweetness of the cranberry sauce and brown sugar.; Dry Mustard PowderJust a pinch provides a subtle, earthy tang that rounds out the savory profile without adding noticeable heat.; Garlic Powder and Onion PowderThese common pantry staples provide necessary aromatic depth and ensure the glaze doesn’t taste one-dimensionally sweet.; Water or Chicken BrothNeeded only to thin the sauce slightly if it becomes too thick during the simmering process, ensuring perfect coating consistency.

Description

Achieve appetizer perfection! Our smoked sausage bites are cloaked in a glossy cranberry-brown sugar glaze, sharpened by apple cider vinegar and mustard powder. The ultimate sweet/savory balance.

Ingredients

Fully Cooked Smoked Sausage (Beef or Turkey)Use a high-quality, fully cooked sausage, sliced into half-inch thick rounds; the smoked variety provides the essential deep, savory base.
Whole Cranberry Sauce (Canned or Homemade)Do not use the jellied version; whole cranberries provide the necessary texture and intense tartness for the glaze.
Brown Sugar (Packed)This ingredient adds deep molasses notes and promotes rapid caramelization, helping the sauce become beautifully thick and glossy.
Apple Cider VinegarA crucial acid element that brightens the entire dish and balances the intense sweetness of the cranberry sauce and brown sugar.
Dry Mustard PowderJust a pinch provides a subtle, earthy tang that rounds out the savory profile without adding noticeable heat.
Garlic Powder and Onion PowderThese common pantry staples provide necessary aromatic depth and ensure the glaze doesn’t taste one-dimensionally sweet.
Water or Chicken BrothNeeded only to thin the sauce slightly if it becomes too thick during the simmering process, ensuring perfect coating consistency.

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Instructions

Step 1: Slice and Preheat
Step 2: Coating the Sausage
Step 3: Arrange and Bake
Step 4: The Finishing Glaze
Step 5: Serve Warm

Notes

To streamline party prep, fully bake and glaze the sausages up to 2 days ahead, storing them covered in the refrigerator; they are best reheated thoroughly before serving.
When reheating leftovers or make-ahead batches, use a moderate oven (325°F) for about 10 minutes, arranging the sausages on parchment paper to prevent the caramelized glaze from sticking to the baking sheet.
These savory-sweet bites are best served piping hot right out of the oven using short appetizer picks, or you can present them on a rustic platter garnished with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for color.
The secret to a perfectly balanced glaze is the acid; always ensure you finish the sauce with the Apple Cider Vinegar—it prevents the brown sugar and cranberry from tasting one-dimensionally sweet and deepens the smoky flavor of the sausage.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 3 appetizers (approx. 60g)
Calories: 175
Sodium: 410mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: *Note: The FDA does not require %Daily Value for Unsaturated Fat or Trans Fat.
Trans Fat: 0g
Protein: 7g