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Sugared cranberries are a beautiful holiday treat. They’re easy to make and pair perfectly with any holiday dessert, cocktail, or appetizer. Their sweet and tart flavor, along with their frosty sugar coating, make them the perfect addition to your holiday table.
Easy Sugared Cranberries
Sugared cranberries are simply fresh cranberries coated in a simple syrup and then rolled in granulated sugar. During November and December, I keep a batch on my table for decoration and easy snacking.
The red livens up my Thanksgiving dishes as garnishes, and for Christmas there are endless ways to use them. The berries can easily be combined with fresh rosemary to decorate a turkey, or put them in pretty bags with bows and make unique gifts for teachers, neighbors, or party guest.
Ingredients You Will Need
- fresh cranberries-tart red berries, perfect for holiday garnishes or recipes
- granulated sugar (divided)-coated with sugar, these cranberries sparkle and become so festive.
- water-used to dissolve the sugar to make a simple syrup so the dry sugar will stick to the cranberries.
How to Make Sugared Cranberries
STEP 1. In a medium saucepan, combine water and 1/2 cup of sugar, over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves. Do not let the mixture boil, just bring a light simmer.
STEP 2. Remove the syrup from heat, and stir in the cranberries, until they are coated with the syrup. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes to soak in the syrup.
STEP 3. Drain the cranberries, and transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper or cooking rack. Spread them out and let them air fry for about 30 minutes.
STEP 4. Use a slotted spoon to toss the cranberries in the remaining one cup sugar, coating each piece. Return them to rimmed sheet pan after you coat them.
Tips for Perfect Sugared Cranberries
- Use Fresh, Firm Cranberries: Fresh cranberries work best because they hold their shape and won’t get mushy.
- Superfine Sugar for Sparkle: If you want a more delicate, frosted look, roll the cranberries in superfine sugar or sanding sugar.
Variations for Candied Cranberries
Add spices: Sprinkle in cinnamon, nutmeg, or other seasonal spices with the sugar, before rolling the cranberries.
Ways to Use Sugared Cranberries
- Dessert Topping: Scatter them over cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, or pies.
- Cocktail Garnish: Add a few sugared cranberries on cocktail picks to decorate holiday drinks, like this fall sangria, or simply toss them into champagne or holiday punch.
- Holiday Snack: Serve them as a sweet and tart snack in a festive bowl, or add them to your Christmas charcuterie board. They add a nice balance of flavors alongside cheeses, nuts, and chocolates.
Ways to Use Cranberry Simple Syrup
The sugar and cranberries make a cranberry flavored simple syrup mixture that is so versatile and easy to make! Here are some fantastic ways to use the simple syrup from this recipe:
- Cocktails and Mocktails: Simple syrup is a bartender’s staple. Use them in drinks like mojitos or margaritas.
- Iced Coffee and Teas: Add simple syrup to iced coffee, iced tea, or cold brew for sweetness that blends smoothly, unlike traditional granulated sugar.
- Homemade Lemonade: Sweeten freshly squeezed lemonade or powdered drinks using simple syrup.
- Baked Goods: Brush simple syrup onto cakes or cupcakes before frosting, or add powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon or orange zest, to make a delicious sweet glaze for pastries.
- Add orange juice: Make a delicious orange cranberry sauce by adding orange juice and whole cranberries to the mixture.
FAQ’S
Sugared cranberries, also known as candied cranberries, are fresh cranberries coated in a sugar syrup and then rolled in granulated sugar. They make a delicious snack, garnish, or holiday decoration.
Store cranberries in an airtight container at room temperature, for up to 2-3 days. In the fridge, they can last about a week but may lose some of their crunch.
Regular granulated sugar works well for coating, but superfine or sanding sugar can create a finer, frostier look. You can also experiment with colored sugars for a festive touch.
Fresh cranberries work best because they hold up better in the sugar syrup and don’t become mushy.
More Holiday Recipes
Sugared Cranberries
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- Baking Sheet or Cooking Rack
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine water and 1/2 cup of sugar, over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves. Do not let the mixture boil, just bring a light simmer.
- Remove the syrup from heat, and stir in the cranberries, until they are coated with the syrup. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes to soak in the syrup.
- Drain the cranberries, and transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper or cooking rack. Spread them out and let them air fry for about 30 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon to toss the cranberries in the remaining one cup sugar, coating each piece. Return them to rimmed sheet pan after you coat them.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
