Looking for a simple yet stunning holiday treat? These Sugared Cranberries are the perfect mix of tart and sweet, with a sparkling sugar coating that makes them look as festive as they taste! They're great for snacking, garnishing desserts, or adding a pop of holiday flair to your drinks.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Festive and Beautiful: Their sparkling sugar coating makes them a stunning addition to any holiday table.
- Versatile Garnish: These Sugared Cranberries are perfect for decorating cakes, cocktails, or even cheese boards.
- Sweet and Tart Treat: A delightful balance of tart cranberry flavor and sweet sugar coating for a simple, satisfying snack.
🥘 Ingredients
- Fresh Cranberries: These vibrant, tart berries provide the perfect base for sugared cranberries, offering a festive pop of flavor and color.
- Granulated Sugar: Used to sweeten and create the sparkling coating, this adds a delightful crunch and balances the cranberries' tartness.
- Water: Acts as the base for the simple syrup that helps the sugar stick to the cranberries, creating their iconic frosted look.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Mix with Other Berries: Combine sugared cranberries with sugared blueberries or raspberries for a mixed berry garnish.
- Flavored Simple Syrup: Add a splash of vanilla extract, orange zest, or a cinnamon stick to the syrup for extra flavor.
- Spiced Sugar Coating: Mix granulated sugar with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a festive twist.
- Colorful Sugared Berries: Use colored sanding sugar instead of regular sugar for a vibrant, decorative look.
🔪 How To Make Sugared Cranberries
Step One: In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup of the sugar and ½ cup water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Step Two: Remove from heat when sugar has completely dissolved to make a simple syrup. Let it cool for about 5 minutes.
Step Three: Add the fresh cranberries to the syrup, stirring gently to coat all the berries evenly. Let them sit in the syrup for about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cranberries from the syrup, allowing excess syrup to drip off.
Step Four: Place the cranberries on a wire rack or parchment paper, ensuring they are spread out in a single layer to avoid sticking. Let them dry for about an hour; they should be sticky to the touch.
Step Five: Once the cranberries are tacky, pour the remaining ½ cup of sugar into a shallow dish. Gently roll each cranberry in the sugar until evenly coated, giving them a frosted, sparkling appearance.
Step Six: Place the sugared cranberries on a clean baking sheet or plate to dry completely for about 30 minutes. This will help the sugar harden and give them a crunchy texture. Your sugared cranberries are now ready to enjoy!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Use Fresh Cranberries: Ensure the cranberries are firm and unblemished for the best results. Soft or bruised berries won’t hold the sugar coating as well.
- Cool Syrup Slightly: Allow the simple syrup to cool for a few minutes before adding the cranberries to prevent them from bursting.
- Work in Batches: Coat a small number of cranberries at a time to ensure even coverage with the sugar.
- Even Coating: Shake off excess sugar by gently tapping the coated cranberries on the side of the dish for a clean, sparkly finish.
💭 FAQs
Sugared cranberries are a festive treat made by coating fresh cranberries in a sweet, sparkling sugar coating. To make them, you first create a simple syrup with water and sugar, coat the cranberries, let them dry, and then roll them in more sugar for a frosted appearance.
It's recommended to use fresh cranberries for the best results, as frozen cranberries may not hold the sugar coating as well due to their softer texture.
Sugared cranberries are versatile and can be used as a garnish for cocktails, desserts like cheesecake, or even cheese platters. They also make a lovely decorative topping for holiday baking.
Yes, you can make sugared cranberries in advance. After preparing them, allow them to dry completely and store them in an airtight container until ready to use.
The best way to store sugared cranberries is by keeping them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. After coating the cranberries with sugar, allow them to dry for a few hours to prevent them from becoming too sticky. Once dry, store them in a jar or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid to protect them from moisture. For a longer shelf life, you can refrigerate them, where they will last up to a week. If you need to store them for a longer period, freezing is an option. Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. This will help maintain their flavor and texture.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some great ways to serve sugared cranberries:
- Cocktail Garnish – Use sugared cranberries to garnish holiday cocktails like Moscow Mules, Champagne, or Cranberry Margaritas for a festive touch.
- Cheese Platter – Add them to a cheese platter for a sweet and tart contrast to cheeses like brie, goat cheese, or sharp cheddar.
- Dessert Topping – Sprinkle them over desserts like cheesecake, chocolate mousse, or panna cotta for a beautiful and flavorful garnish.
- Holiday Baking – Use them as a decorative topping for sugar cookies, cupcakes, or a yule log during the holiday season.
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Sugared Cranberries
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Fresh Cranberries
- 1 Cup Granulated Sugar (divided into ½ cup portions)
- ½ Cup Water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Add fresh cranberries to the syrup and gently stir to coat. Let them sit for about 10 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the cranberries from the syrup and let the excess syrup drip off. Place them on a wire rack or parchment paper in a single layer. Let them dry for about an hour until they’re tacky to the touch.
- Once sticky, place the remaining ½ cup of sugar in a shallow dish. Roll each cranberry in the sugar until fully coated, giving them a frosty look.
- Arrange the sugared cranberries on a clean baking sheet or plate to dry completely for about 30 minutes, allowing the sugar to harden.
- Your sugared cranberries are ready! Enjoy them as a garnish, snack, or decoration. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Notes
Nutrition
