Sugared Cranberries are a festive, easy treat to make. They are perfect for adding to a buffet table or decorating a cake.
Use the leftover sugared water in a holiday cocktail!
Why make sugared cranberries
I've been into all things cranberry lately. Every time I go to the grocery store, I seem to pick up a few more bags! Maybe it's an obsession, but I think it's a good thing!
Cranberry season doesn't last too long, so I need to make the most of it. These sugared cranberries are my newest creation.
The best part about these cranberries, besides looking so stunning, is they are so easy to make! The most difficult thing is making certain you plan enough time. The berries need to dry two different times.
Sugared cranberries make your holiday desserts or beverages that much more amazing!
These sugar covered cranberries can be eaten as a sweet treat. They are quite delicious all by themselves and have a sweet and tart taste.
You could also use them for decorating a holiday dessert, like this Cranberry Bundt Cake, or as a garnish for a holiday cocktail or beverage.
Key ingredients
You just need two ingredients: granulated sugar and fresh cranberries. That's it! Well, you do also need water, but that doesn't really count as an ingredient.
Step by step directions
- Add sugar and water into a small saucepan. Heat until all sugar is dissolved.
- Add cranberries and let soak for 10-15 minutes
- Remove cranberries from pot with a slotted spoon. Place cranberries on a baking rack.
- Allow cranberries to dry for at least one hour. Cranberries will be very sticky, but should not have any remaining wet spots. Place a few cranberries in a bowl with granulated sugar.
- Toss berries until coated with sugar.
- Gently remove berries and place them back on baking rack. Allow berries to dry for an additional hour.
Tips for making sugared cranberries
- Use a slotted spoon for removing berries from sugar water
- Allow berries to dry on a baking rack
- Place baking rack on top of a baking sheet. This helps contain the drips and makes clean up a bit easier.
- Use your fingers to place the berries into the sugar. They will be sticky, but once the granulated sugar starts to stick to the berries, the stickiness goes away.
- Handle the sugar covered berries as little as possible to help prevent brushing the sugar off the berries.
- The extra sugar water used for soaking the berries can be saved and used in cocktail recipes calling for simple syrup.
Storing sugared cranberries
Storing the cranberries is going going to vary depending on your humidity in your house. I was able to place the sugared berries in a small bowl and leave uncovered on my counter for two days.
You could also store them in a covered container. The berries are best used within two days for best results.
Other great recipes using fresh cranberries
- Cranberry Sweet Rolls
- Cranberry Scones
- Cranberry Muffins
- Cranberry Sauce
- Jellied Cranberry Sauce
- Cranberry Apple Bread
- Cranberry Twist Bread
- Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Cranberry Jalapeno Bites
I told you I've been going a little crazy with cranberry recipes!
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my holiday recipes!
Sugared Cranberries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (divided)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Place water in a small sauce pot along with ½ cup of sugar over medium heat. Stir sugar and water.1 cup water, ¾ cup granulated sugar
- Place remaining ¼ cup of sugar in a bowl to use for coating the berries later.¾ cup granulated sugar
- When sugar in sauce pot dissolves, remove from heat. Do not bring water mixture to a boil. You want it just warm enough to dissolve the sugar.
- Place cranberries in warm sugar mixture. Let set for 15 minutes.1 cup fresh cranberries
- Remove cranberries from water with a slotted spoon. Place cranberries on a baking rack. Allow to dry. This may take up to one hour.
- When berries are fully dried, place in bowl of sugar. Do a few berries at a time so they don't stick to each other. Roll berries around in sugar. Carefully remove and place back on baking rack to dry.
- Allow berries to dry for an additional hour. Use berries or store in a covered container for up to two days.
Video
Notes
- Use a slotted spoon for removing berries from sugar water
- Allow berries to dry on a baking rack
- Place baking rack on top of a baking sheet. This helps contain the drips and makes clean up a bit easier.
- Use your fingers to place the berries into the sugar. They will be sticky, but once the granulated sugar starts to stick to the berries, the stickiness goes away.
- Handle the sugar covered berries as little as possible to help prevent brushing the sugar off the berries.
- Discard excess sugar used for dusting the berries.
- The sugar water can be saved and used in beverages.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
David @ Spiced says
Oh, I do love sugared cranberries! They are such an easy recipe that takes other recipes up a notch. And they look so impressive, too. (No one needs to know how easy they actually are!) Thanks for the reminder about this fun garnish! 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I love making sugared cranberries during the holiday season Kathy! Perfect for so many desserts. Pinned.
Kathy says
This is my first time making them, but now they will become a holiday regular!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says
I am sure they are absolutely delicious also, but I truly cannot get over how beautiful they are! So perfectly festive!
Kathy says
They add a lovely festive touch!