Sweet & Festive Sugared Cranberries Recipe for Holiday Magic

The magic of sugared cranberries sparkling like festive jewels on your holiday dessert table!

These vibrant crimson gems pack a delightful sweet-tart punch that surprises and delights guests.

Winter gatherings become extra special when you introduce such a stunning garnish to your spread.

Small crystals of sugar cling beautifully to each plump berry, creating a glistening effect that looks almost too pretty to eat.

The process takes minimal effort but delivers maximum visual impact for your seasonal treats.

Crafting these delicate morsels feels like culinary alchemy, transforming humble cranberries into elegant confections.

Trust me, one bite will have everyone asking about your secret recipe.

What You’ll Need To Make Sugared Cranberries

Sugared Cranberries Ingredients:

• Cranberries: Fresh, tart berries that provide the main flavor and texture for the recipe. Choose plump, firm cranberries without soft spots or blemishes.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweet white sugar used for creating syrup and coating. Pure, fine-grain sugar works best for smooth coating.
• Superfine Sugar: Extra-fine sugar for the final coating. Creates a delicate, sparkling exterior on the cranberries.

• Water: Neutral liquid used to dissolve sugar and create simple syrup. Filtered or tap water works well.

Note: All ingredients should be at room temperature for best results.

How To Prepare Sugared Cranberries Quickly

Step 1: Create Silky Syrup

In a medium pot, mix water and sugar over gentle heat. Stir constantly until sugar melts completely. Avoid boiling the liquid. Remove from stove and let it cool down slightly.

Step 2: Bathe Cranberries in Sweet Goodness

Drop fresh cranberries into the warm syrup. Gently swirl the berries around, ensuring each one gets a luxurious coating. Allow them to soak and absorb the sweet liquid for about 10 minutes.

Step 3: Drain and Dry Cranberries

Use a slotted spoon to lift cranberries onto a wire cooling rack placed over a baking sheet. Let them rest and air dry for one full hour or overnight. You want the surface to feel slightly sticky but not wet.

Step 4: Sugar Coating Magic

Spread superfine sugar into a wide, shallow dish. Roll each sticky cranberry through the sugar until completely covered. Carefully place sugared berries back on the wire rack to dry for another hour.

Step 5: Serve or Save Your Delightful Treats

• Serve immediately as a festive snack
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature
• Keep for 2-3 days of delicious enjoyment

Tips To Get The Best Sugared Cranberries Texture

• Prevent Sugar Clumping: Ensure the superfine sugar is completely dry to achieve an even, smooth coating on the cranberries without creating sticky clusters.
• Maximize Syrup Absorption: Let cranberries soak in warm syrup for exactly 5-10 minutes to guarantee maximum flavor penetration without making them too soggy.
• Optimize Drying Time: Use a wire rack with a baking sheet underneath to allow proper air circulation, helping cranberries dry evenly and develop a perfect tacky texture.
• Store Smartly: Keep sugared cranberries in a single layer inside an airtight container to maintain their crisp sugar coating and prevent moisture buildup.
• Versatile Garnish Hack: These sparkling cranberries work beautifully as festive cocktail garnishes, dessert decorations, or elegant holiday table embellishments.

How To Store Sugared Cranberries The Right Way

• Refrigeration: Store sugared cranberries in an airtight container lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep them in the refrigerator for maximum freshness up to 5 days.
• Room Temperature: Leave cranberries at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Freezing: Carefully place sugared cranberries in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 1 month without compromising their delicate sugar coating.
• Moisture Prevention: Always place a paper towel inside the storage container to absorb excess moisture and maintain the cranberries' crisp sugar exterior.

Tasty Pairings For Sugared Cranberries

• Pair with Festive Winter Cocktails: Complement the sweet-tart sugared cranberries with a sparkling champagne cocktail or a cranberry-infused gin martini, enhancing their vibrant holiday flavor profile.
• Create Elegant Cheese Board Accent: Scatter these sugared cranberries across a sophisticated cheese platter featuring creamy brie, aged cheddar, and blue cheese, adding a bright burst of sweetness and texture.
• Top Decadent Desserts: Sprinkle these glossy cranberries over rich chocolate mousse, vanilla panna cotta, or classic cheesecake to provide a tangy, jewel-like garnish that elevates simple desserts.
• Garnish Seasonal Brunch Dishes: Use these sugared cranberries as a stunning topping for morning yogurt parfaits, pancakes, or waffles, introducing a festive touch to breakfast presentations.

Ways To Use Or Change Sugared Cranberries

• Spiced Cranberry Sparkle: Infuse the simple syrup with cinnamon sticks, star anise, or whole cloves for a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the cranberries' tartness.
• Citrus Cranberry Glaze: Add orange or lemon zest to the simple syrup to introduce a bright, zesty undertone that enhances the cranberries' natural tanginess.
• Herbal Cranberry Charm: Mix in fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs during syrup preparation to create an unexpected herbal note that pairs beautifully with the sweet-tart berries.
• Boozy Cranberry Coating: Replace part of the water in the simple syrup with bourbon, rum, or Grand Marnier for an adult-friendly version with subtle alcohol undertones.

All Your Questions About Sugared Cranberries

• Why are my cranberries not getting sugary enough?

Make sure your cranberries are completely coated in simple syrup and drain well before rolling in sugar. Pat them gently to remove excess liquid, which can prevent sugar from sticking properly.

• Can I use regular granulated sugar instead of superfine sugar?

While superfine sugar creates a smoother coating, you can pulse regular granulated sugar in a food processor to make it finer. This helps create a more delicate and even sugar layer on the cranberries.

• Are sugared cranberries only for decoration?

Not at all! These cranberries are delicious on their own as a sweet-tart snack. They’re also great for garnishing desserts, cocktails, salads, and holiday cheese boards, adding a festive and crunchy element to your dishes.

• How do I prevent the cranberries from getting too soggy?

Don’t soak the cranberries in syrup for too long. The recommended 5-10 minutes is perfect for allowing them to absorb just enough sweetness without becoming waterlogged. Always drain them well before coating with sugar.

Why Sugared Cranberries Are So Fun And Festive

• Burst with Sweet-Tart Flavor: These sugared cranberries deliver an incredible taste explosion that balances sweet crystalline sugar with the bright, tangy punch of fresh cranberries.
• Transform Simple Ingredients: Magically convert ordinary cranberries into a glistening, sparkling treat using just sugar and syrup, creating a sophisticated garnish or snack with minimal effort.
• Perfect Party Conversation Starter: These jewel-like cranberries look stunning on dessert platters, cheese boards, or holiday tables, instantly elevating any presentation with their eye-catching, sugary coating.
• Incredibly Easy Gourmet Treat: Requiring only basic kitchen skills and a few ingredients, this recipe lets home cooks create a professional-looking delicacy that seems much more complicated than it actually is.

Sugared Cranberries Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Festive sugared cranberries sparkle like winter jewels, bringing holiday magic to dessert tables. Cranberry lovers will adore this simple yet elegant treat that combines tart berries with sweet crystalline coating.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits:

• 200 g (2 cups) fresh cranberries

Sugar Ingredients:

• 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar (for syrup)
• 100 g (½ cup) superfine sugar or granulated sugar (for coating)

Liquid Ingredient:

• 200 ml (1 cup) water

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Instructions

1. Craft a silky, translucent syrup by gently heating water and granulated sugar in a saucepan, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely without reaching a boil. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, creating a sweet liquid base.
2. Delicately submerge fresh cranberries into the warm syrup, ensuring each berry becomes thoroughly saturated. Let the cranberries rest in the sweet liquid, allowing them to absorb the sugary essence for approximately 5-10 minutes.
3. Carefully extract the syrup-coated cranberries using a slotted spoon, positioning them on a wire rack positioned over a baking sheet. Allow the berries to air-dry and develop a slightly tacky exterior, which typically requires 1-2 hours or can be left overnight.
4. Prepare a shallow dish filled with superfine sugar, creating a pristine coating station. Gently tumble each sticky cranberry through the sugar, ensuring a complete and even crystalline coverage that transforms the berries into sparkling jewel-like treats.
5. Return the sugar-encrusted cranberries to the wire rack, permitting them to dry and set for an additional hour, which helps solidify their glistening sugar shell. Once fully dry, these elegant garnishes can be served immediately or preserved in an airtight container for 2-3 days at room temperature.

Notes

• Ensure the simple syrup remains warm but not boiling to prevent cranberry breakdown and maintain their delicate texture.
• Use fresh, firm cranberries for the best candied result, avoiding soft or bruised fruits that may turn mushy during preparation.
• Patience is key when drying cranberries, allowing them to develop a perfect tacky surface that helps the sugar adhere beautifully.
• Create variations by experimenting with different sugars like raw or flavored sugar to add unique twists to this festive treat.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 hours
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 109
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg