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.
Ra'Nesha says
I love sugared cranberries especially after I refreeze them their so amazing my goodness I want some now.
Toni Dash says
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.
TColeman says
These would be so great to have at a party set out for guests. I am going to have to make some of these!
travel blogger says
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.
Toni Dash says
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.
Amy Desrosiers says
These are super pretty! I have always wanted to make some for my baked goods. Maybe I will!
Toni Dash says
They really are so easy you should! It’s jmakes such a nice finishing touch.
Claudia Krusch says
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.
Kathy says
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.
Pam says
I need to make these! I love cranberries and they would make a great garnish for holiday drinks.
AnnMarie John says
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!
Autumn Reo says
I love this idea! They are like festive holiday candy! The kids would love to eat them but also to help make them!
Dawn Lopez says
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.