Sugared cranberries are a wonderful holiday treat and add an extra festive touch to baked goods and cocktails (or mocktails). They are easy to make and once you make a batch you’ll be hooked. Fun gift idea too!
I can't think of anything more festive for the holiday season than cranberries. They segue from Thanksgiving cranberry sauce to all sorts of fun home decorations and edible treats. Has anyone strung them as a garland for your Christmas tree?
How about floated them in a beautiful bowl of water with some floating candles for a centerpiece (they float just like the candles)? Just having a bowl of them sitting out feels like Christmas to me.
Outside of being a key ingredient in so many sweet and savory recipes, there are fun, easy recipes to prepare them as a treat or a small gift. I shared a recipe for Brandied Cranberries some time ago that I found in a vintage recipe collection. Today I'm sharing another holiday favorite: How to make Sugared Cranberries.
I'm sure you've seen the white sparkly orbs with some red showing through in photos or on fancy desserts. They are wonderful on cakes and cupcakes, in drinks (though they lose their sugar coating) or anywhere you are feeling it (like my Instant Pot Gingerbread Steel Cut Oats).
The process of sugaring the cranberries is easy and transforms their texture as well as flavor. The cranberries soak in a homemade simple syrup recipe overnight and then are rolled in fine baking sugar (it coats the best).
The simple syrup both infuses some sweetness but also creates a coating on the cranberries allowing the extra fine sugar to stick.
After sitting to fully dry for about an hour, the outer coating becomes dry and crisp creating a wonderful 'pop' in your mouth when eating them.
The infusion of the simple syrup coupled with the sugar coating diminishes the usual tartness for a sweeter cranberry bite. Not all cranberries are created equal, so there may be a tart one in the bunch! Once dried, their coating becomes hard so the sugar stays in place too.
Expert Tip
The easy trick about this recipe is that all you need to remember is to use the same amount of water, sugar and cranberries. Simple syrup is made with equal parts of water and sugar, and this tutorial for how to make sugared cranberries uses the same amount also of cranberries.
This makes it simple to create batches of whatever size you need without having to remember measurements.
Giving a little jar of them as an unexpected gift for a friend or neighbor, especially one who loves to bake, is always appreciated. Of course if you want to keep them all for yourself, I'll never tell.
How to Store
Store the sugared cranberries in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. After this they will begin to weep (release liquid) after which use them for making cranberry sauce or another cooked dish.
Do not refrigerate. The moisture will cause the cranberries to weep.
How to Make Sugared Cranberries:
Recipe
Sugared Cranberries
Ingredients
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup Water
- 1 cup fresh Cranberries
- 1/2 cup Extra Fine Sugar (also known as Baker’s Sugar) sifted to remove any lumps if needed
Instructions
- Combine the granulated sugar and water in medium sauce pan and bring to a low simmer (aproximately 3 minutes), stirring often, just until the sugar is dissolved; remove from heat.1 cup Granulated Sugar, 1 cup Water
- Add the cranberries. Add the liquid (now a simple syrup) and cranberries to a sealable container and refrigerate for 8 hours.1 cup fresh Cranberries
- After chilling: Pour the extra fine sugar onto a plate.
- Remove the cranberries from the liquid with a slotted spoon to drain and deposit a few at a time into the fine sugar. NOTE: the simple syrup may be reserved for use in cocktails.
- Using a light touch, roll cranberries one by one in the sugar to coat. Gently place on a rimmed baking sheet for 1-2 hours until fully dry.
Christie says
I bet these are so delicious! I’ve never heard of sugared cranberries before, and this would be easy to make.
Liz Mays says
Ooh, I’ve never done this! I can definitely see these being great snacks to bring out around the holidays.
Connie says
I love, love cranberries. I will be giving these a try.
Sinisa says
Cranberries are my favorite. Best part of holiday foods
Jeanette says
I still have a whole bunch of cranberries left over from Thanksgiving that are in my freezer. These look delicious and easy to make. I cannot wait to try them.
Toni Dash says
Do it! They are fun to make and so pretty!
Pam says
I still have some cranberries left over from Thanksgiving too. This would be a perfect way to use them up.
Jeni Hawkins says
YES YES YES! I just got a bunch of cranberries to use with holiday baking – but didn’t have a plan for them. I’m so excited to make these now!
ashley says
So simple and beautiful!
Colleen says
I have to make these for our Christmas get together. I think they’re a great little snack that perfectly capture the holidays.
Stacie says
Oh wow! Those look like little bites of cranberry sauce in your mouth. I must have these in my life!
robin rue says
Sugared cranberries? I need to try these like STAT. OMG they sound so delicious.