Place the cranberries, water, and maple syrup in a medium saucepan and stir to combine.
Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
Let the mixture continue to simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the mixture has thickened, continuing to stir occasionally.
Pour the cranberry sauce into a glass dish (preferably what you plan to serve it in), and let it cool. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
Serve immediately or store in the fridge for 10-14 days.
Notes
You can stir in any additional flavorings while it's still hot such as: orange or lemon zest, vanilla extract, warm spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves, chopped jalapeño peppers, ginger, splash of red wine, splash of balsamic vinegar, or raspberries
To add more fruit flavor, replace half of the water with fruit juice such as orange, apple, or pear juice.