Sugared Cranberries

Hello friends! If you’re looking for a festive and eye-catching way to elevate your holiday desserts, Sugared Cranberries are the perfect touch of sparkle. With their glossy sugar coating and tart, juicy bite, these beauties make an excellent garnish for cakes, pies, cocktails, or even served as a sweet-tart snack on their own. Best of all, they are incredibly easy to make and can be customized with flavors like cinnamon, citrus, or vanilla to suit your taste.

Sugared Cranberries are a staple during the holiday season, often used to add a pop of color and elegance to your favorite dishes. Whether you want to use them for decoration or enjoy them as a snack, this recipe is a must-try.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Festive and Versatile: Sugared cranberries are perfect for garnishing cocktails, cakes, cheesecakes, and holiday tables.
• Quick and Easy: With just a few ingredients, you’ll have these sparkling gems ready in no time.
• Customizable: Easily add your favorite spices or citrus zest for an extra festive touch.
• Perfect Make-Ahead Treat: You can store them in the fridge for up to five days, so they’re perfect for prepping ahead of time.

Best Sugared Cranberries Recipe

In this post, I’ll guide you through creating these festive gems, from preparing the sugar syrup to coating them in granulated sugar for a frosted look. I’ll also include variations for adding your own twist to these delicious candied cranberries!

Full ingredients and recipe instructions can be found at the bottom of this post.

Syrup Coating

Begin by making the simple syrup. Start heating the 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the sugar fully dissolves. Here is where you can add a lot of different customizations to add flavor to this recipe. Find the suggestions below on the post.

Once the sugar syrup is ready, remove it from the heat. Set a wire rack over a baking sheet to catch any drips. Add half of the fresh cranberries to the syrup mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. Allow them to sit for a minute before transferring to the cooling rack with a slotted spoon. Repeat the process with the remaining cranberries. Once all the cranberries are on the wire rack, spread them out so they don’t touch and let them air dry for an hour.

Sugar Coating

After drying, place granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Working in small batches, roll the cranberries in the sugar until each is thoroughly coated. Once done, lay them out on a baking sheet to dry for an additional hour. Once dry, store these treats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

Tips & Tricks

• Drying Time: Ensure the berries dry well between steps to avoid a sticky texture.
• Even Coating: Roll the cranberries in sugar in small batches for better control and even coverage.
• Storage Tips: Store sugared cranberries in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to five days, so they’re perfect for making ahead of time.
• Best Uses: Use them to garnish holiday cakes, cocktails, cheesecakes, or serve them in a bowl as a festive snack.
• Storage: Sugared cranberries are best stored in the fridge and enjoyed within five days.

Variations

• Spice it Up: Add a cinnamon stick to the sugar syrup for a cozy, spiced flavor. Or maybe even try cardamom for a more deep flavor.
• Citrus Twist: Include orange peel in the syrup for a zesty touch. Alternatively you can use lemon zest or a lemon peel. You can also add lemon zest or lime zest in the sugar coating for a tart citrus kick. This works beautifully for garnishing lemon or lime desserts.
• Vanilla Bean: Steep a piece of vanilla bean in the syrup to add a subtle sweetness.
• Herbal Sugared Cranberries: Infuse your simple syrup with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or mint to add a fresh and fragrant twist to the cranberries. These work especially well for garnishing holiday cocktails.
• Maple Sugared Cranberries: Swap out some or all of the granulated sugar for maple syrup in the sugar syrup mixture. This gives the cranberries a richer, more natural sweetness with a hint of caramel flavor.
• Spiked Sugared Cranberries (Boozy Version): Add a splash of rum, bourbon, or Grand Marnier to the sugar syrup for a boozy twist. These are perfect for topping holiday cocktails or serving at adult-only gatherings.
• Chocolate-Dipped Sugared Cranberries: After coating the cranberries in sugar, dip half of each cranberry in melted dark or white chocolate. This adds a decadent touch, making them perfect for dessert platters or edible holiday gifts.
• Peppermint Sugared Cranberries: Crush some peppermint candies and mix them into the sugar for the coating. This adds a subtle peppermint flavor, perfect for winter-themed desserts and cocktails.
• Lavender Sugared Cranberries: Add dried lavender to the sugar syrup for a delicate floral note. These are beautiful for elegant holiday gatherings or paired with desserts like lemon cake.

FAQ About Sugared Cranberries

How Long Do Sugared Cranberries Last?
Stored at room temperature, sugared cranberries can last up to a few days. Make them ahead of time for easy entertaining.

Can I Use Frozen Cranberries?
It’s best to use fresh cranberries for this recipe, as frozen cranberries can release too much moisture during the drying process.

Can I Use These Cranberries for Cocktails?
Yes! Sugared cranberries are perfect for garnishing holiday cocktails like a cranberry mojito or a holiday gin and tonic.

Can I Make These Sugar-Free?
For a sugar-free alternative, you can try using a sugar substitute like erythritol to coat the cranberries. However, the texture and shine might be slightly different.

This is the perfect recipe to use up any extra fresh cranberries after making cranberry sauce! And these glistening Sugar-coated Cranberries are perfect for dressing up your holiday table or adding a festive flair to your desserts!

Try them out on top of these recipes:

• Sweetened Condensed Milk Cranberry Cheesecake
• Eggnog Pie
• Orange Cake
• Chocolate Orange Marble Cake
• Almond Cake

Let me know if you make these and share photos with me on Instagram! I love checking my inbox to see all the delicious treats you make!

Sugared Cranberries

Camila Hurst

Sugared Cranberries are a festive and easy-to-make treat, featuring tart cranberries coated in a glossy sugar syrup and rolled in granulated sugar for a frosted finish—perfect for holiday garnishes or snacking.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Resting time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 1 cup

Calories 40 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 1/4 cup water 60 ml
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar 50 grams
• 1 cup fresh cranberries 100 grams

To Coat

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar 150 grams

Instructions

 

• Place the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Heat the mixture until the sugar melts with the water. Turn the heat off.
• Set a baking sheet lined with a wire rack nearby.
• Add the cranberries to the pan in two batches. Add 1/2 cup of cranberries first, stir to combine and let them soak for about 1 minute. Then remove the cranberries with a slotted spoon and lay them on the wire rack.
• Add the remaining 1/2 cup and do the same.
• Remove the cranberries with a slotted spoon to the wire rack.
• Spread the cranberries around so they aren’t crowded.
• Let them air dry for 1 hour.

To Coat

• Place the granulated sugar in a shallow bowl.
• Add the cranberries to the sugar in small batches, a few at a time. Roll them in the sugar to coat each individually.
• Remove them to a baking sheet.
• Let the sugared cranberries dry for 1 hour.
• Place in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to a few days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

Variations: Add a cinnamon stick, the peel of an orange, or even a piece of vanilla bean to the sugar syrup to add a bit of flavor to the cranberries. Many more variations in the post above.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tbspCalories: 40kcal

Keyword cranberries

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