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    Home » Recipes » Desserts (No Bake) » How to Make Sugared Cranberries

    LAST UPDATED: August 16, 2018 • FIRST PUBLISHED: December 5, 2017 By Toni Dash 44 Comments

    How to Make Sugared Cranberries

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    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!

     fresh and sugared cranberries in a silver bowl and on a baking sheet

    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.

    sugared cranberries in a silver bowl

    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.

    Fresh cranberries in simple syrup

    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.

    The easy trick about this recipe is that all you need to rememember 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.

    sugared cranberries in a bowl and on a baking sheet and some in process

    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 Make Sugared Cranberries:

    fresh and sugared cranberries in a silver bowl and on a baking sheet

    Sugared Cranberries

    Sugared cranberries are easy to make and a wonderful holiday treat or holiday garnish.  The recipe may be made for any amount of cranberries.  Just adjust to the amount of water, sugar and cranberries are the same and proceed with the recipe. The volume of 1 cup has been used as an example in this recipe.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Garnish, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 126kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    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.  Add the cranberries.  Add the liquid (now a simple syrup) and cranberries to a sealable container and refridgerate for 8 hours.
    • 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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 10mg | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Iron: 0mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    1. Ra'Nesha says

      December 05, 2017 at 7:45 pm

      I love sugared cranberries especially after I refreeze them their so amazing my goodness I want some now.

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        December 05, 2017 at 8:37 pm

        I’m surprised they do well after freezing them Ra’Nesha. In my research I read they don’t work well with frozen cranberries and I would think they might get mushy if frozen. Do they not? Also I found if I sealed them and placed them in the refrigerator overnight the moisture made the sugar begin to come off. Would love to hear more about your experience with freezing them.

        Reply
    2. TColeman says

      December 05, 2017 at 6:47 pm

      These would be so great to have at a party set out for guests. I am going to have to make some of these!

      Reply
    3. travel blogger says

      December 05, 2017 at 6:46 pm

      I have to admit that I have never even heard of sugared cranberries, but they sound amazing! I will have to try out this recipe over the weekend.

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        December 05, 2017 at 6:56 pm

        I’m so glad you now have heard of them! They are delicious and so pretty. They can be made more sparkly with regular granulated sugar too but it does not cover as well.

        Reply
    4. Amy Desrosiers says

      December 05, 2017 at 6:45 pm

      These are super pretty! I have always wanted to make some for my baked goods. Maybe I will!

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        December 05, 2017 at 6:57 pm

        They really are so easy you should! It’s jmakes such a nice finishing touch.

        Reply
    5. Claudia Krusch says

      December 05, 2017 at 6:33 pm

      These Sugared cranberries look so delicious. I have never tried one before. I will definitely add these to my holiday menu. I am sure they will be a big hit.

      Reply
    6. Kathy says

      December 05, 2017 at 6:18 pm

      These look so good. I can’t wait to try them. I have been wanting to try these for a while now. I bet they taste great.

      Reply
    7. Pam says

      December 05, 2017 at 6:17 pm

      I need to make these! I love cranberries and they would make a great garnish for holiday drinks.

      Reply
    8. AnnMarie John says

      December 05, 2017 at 6:09 pm

      That’s really interesting! I love the idea and it’s also a great way to enjoy a cranberry. It’s not difficult at all to make!

      Reply
    9. Autumn Reo says

      December 05, 2017 at 5:51 pm

      5 stars
      I love this idea! They are like festive holiday candy! The kids would love to eat them but also to help make them!

      Reply
    10. Dawn Lopez says

      December 05, 2017 at 4:17 pm

      These Sugared Cranberries look like the ultimate Christmas treat! I’ve never tried cranberries like this before but I bet they are going to taste amazing.

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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