Festive Sugared Cranberries Recipe: Sweet Holiday Magic

Sweet cranberries dusted with sugar crystals sparkle like winter jewels on your holiday table.

Festive gatherings demand something special that catches everyone’s eye.

Delicate and bright, these cranberries offer a surprising burst of tangy sweetness.

Simple ingredients come together in a magical culinary moment that feels both elegant and effortless.

Crystalline sugar clings to tart berries, creating a stunning garnish that impresses without complicated techniques.

Guests will marvel at your sophisticated touch with this quick and enchanting treat.

You can master this recipe in minutes and become the star of any celebration.

Why Sugared Cranberries Make Everything Sparkle

• Boost Holiday Cheer: Create a festive and sparkling treat that instantly elevates your dessert table and adds a gorgeous, festive touch to any gathering.
• Simple Kitchen Magic: Transform ordinary cranberries into a stunning garnish with just a few basic ingredients and minimal cooking skills, perfect for novice cooks wanting to impress.
• Versatile Culinary Decoration: Sprinkle these sugared cranberries on desserts, cocktails, cheese boards, or use as a beautiful edible decoration that brings both visual appeal and tangy sweetness.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare a sophisticated, gourmet-looking treat in under two hours that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum wow factor for holiday parties, brunches, or winter celebrations.

What You’ll Need For Sugared Cranberries

• Cranberries: Fresh, tart berries that provide the base for this sweet and tangy holiday treat.
• Sugar: White granulated sugar creates a sparkling, sweet coating and syrup for the cranberries.
• Water: Essential for creating the sugar syrup that helps the sugar adhere to the cranberries.

• Parchment Paper, Metal Rack: Surfaces that allow the cranberries to dry and separate after coating with syrup.

• Additional Sugar: A final layer of sugar that gives the cranberries a beautiful, crystallized appearance and extra sweetness.

How To Make Sugared Cranberries Easily

Step 1: Create Sweet Syrup

Grab a medium saucepan and combine water and sugar. Heat the mixture over medium temperature, bringing it to a boil.

Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 3 minutes. Stir until the sugar completely dissolves into a smooth, glossy syrup.

Step 2: Coat Cranberries in Syrup

Take the syrup off the heat and gently fold in the cranberries. Make sure each berry gets a complete, glossy coating.

Allow the cranberries to sit in the warm syrup for a brief moment, absorbing the sweet liquid.

Step 3: Drain and Dry Cranberries

Use a slotted spoon to carefully transfer the cranberries onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or wire rack.

Spread them out in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Let the cranberries air dry for approximately one hour, allowing the syrup to form a tacky surface.

Step 4: Roll in Sparkling Sugar

Once the cranberries are slightly tacky, roll them in batches through the remaining sugar. Gently tumble each berry to ensure a complete, even coating of sweet crystals.

Step 5: Store and Enjoy

Place the sugared cranberries in a cool, dry location. They will keep beautifully at room temperature for up to two days, ready to be a stunning garnish or sweet snack.

Tips That Help With Sugared Cranberries

• Rinse cranberries gently before starting to remove any debris and ensure clean fruit for best results.
• Pat cranberries completely dry with paper towels after coating with syrup to help sugar adhere more effectively.
• Work in small batches when rolling cranberries in sugar to guarantee an even, consistent sweet coating.
• Allow cranberries to dry completely between syrup coating and sugar rolling to prevent clumping and achieve a crisp sugar shell.
• Store sugared cranberries in a single layer to maintain their delicate texture and prevent sticking together.

Fun Ways To Use Sugared Cranberries

• Spiced Cranberry Delight: Infuse the syrup with cinnamon sticks, star anise, or whole cloves for a warm, festive flavor profile that elevates the basic recipe.
• Honey Glazed Version: Replace sugar syrup with honey and a splash of orange zest, creating a more complex and natural sweetening method that adds depth to the cranberries.
• Maple Candied Cranberries: Substitute sugar syrup with pure maple syrup, which introduces a rich, woodsy undertone and creates a more luxurious coating for the fruit.
• Citrus-Infused Sparkle: Add lemon or orange zest to the sugar coating, providing a bright, tangy accent that complements the cranberries' natural tartness.

Great Pairings For Sugared Cranberries

• Garnish Cocktail Delights: Add sugared cranberries as a festive and sparkling cocktail garnish for gin, vodka, or champagne drinks, creating an elegant and tangy touch.
• Dessert Topping Magic: Sprinkle these sweet-tart cranberries over cheesecake, panna cotta, or holiday desserts to add texture, brightness, and a festive pop of color.
• Cheese Board Elegance: Place sugared cranberries alongside soft brie, creamy goat cheese, or sharp cheddar for a delightful sweet-savory contrast that elevates charcuterie presentations.
• Baking Accent Charm: Incorporate sugared cranberries into muffins, quick breads, or scatter on top of frosted cakes for a stunning and delicious decorative element.

How To Store Sugared Cranberries Well

• Refrigerate: Place sugared cranberries in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, separating layers to prevent sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Spread cranberries on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Keep frozen for up to 2 months, maintaining their sugary crunch.
• Room Temperature: Keep in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat. Consume within 2 days to ensure best texture and freshness.
• Revive: If cranberries become slightly sticky, gently roll in fresh sugar just before serving to restore their sparkly coating.

Sugared Cranberries FAQ

• Are sugared cranberries safe to eat raw?

Yes, the syrup coating and sugar treatment help preserve the cranberries and make them safe for direct consumption. The sugar acts as a natural preservative and enhances the fruit’s flavor.

• Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?

Fresh cranberries work best. Frozen cranberries might release too much moisture and make the sugar coating difficult to achieve. If using frozen, thaw and pat completely dry before starting.

• How do sugared cranberries taste?

They have a perfect balance of tart cranberry flavor with a sweet, crunchy sugar exterior. The initial tartness is softened by the sugar coating, creating a delightful holiday treat that’s both tangy and sweet.

Sugared Cranberries Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 4 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Festive Sugared Cranberries sparkle with winter magic, offering a delightful balance of tart and sweet. Guests will adore these jewel-like treats that elevate holiday desserts and cocktails with elegant, crystalline charm.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed and dried

Sweeteners:

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided

Liquid:

• 1/2 cup water (118 milliliters)

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Instructions

1. Create a sweet syrup by heating water and half the sugar in a saucepan until it reaches a gentle simmer, allowing the sugar to completely dissolve into a glossy liquid.
2. Carefully immerse fresh cranberries into the warm syrup, gently coating each berry and letting them absorb the sugary essence for a brief moment.
3. Extract the cranberries using a perforated utensil, allowing excess syrup to drip off, and arrange them in a single layer on a lined surface to air-dry for approximately one hour.
4. Once the cranberries have developed a slightly tacky exterior, delicately tumble them through the remaining granulated sugar, ensuring each berry receives a uniform, sparkling sugar coating.
5. Transfer the crystallized cranberries to an airtight container, preserving their delicate texture and keeping them at ambient temperature for a maximum of two days in a cool environment away from direct sunlight.

Notes

• Avoid stirring the cranberries while they’re in the syrup to prevent breaking their delicate skin.
• Work quickly when transferring cranberries to prevent clumping and ensure an even sugar coating.
• Pat the cranberries gently with a paper towel before rolling in sugar to help the granules adhere better.
• These sugared cranberries make stunning garnishes for holiday desserts, cocktails, and cheese boards, adding a festive touch with their sparkling appearance.

• Prep Time: 1 minute
• Cook Time: 3 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 233
• Sugar: 58 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg