If you love a little sparkle and tartness in your holiday treats, this Sugared Cranberries Recipe is an absolute must-try. These little jewels burst with fresh cranberry flavor and get a dazzling sugary coating that makes them perfect for decorating desserts, jazzing up cocktails, or simply enjoying as a festive snack. The combination of sweet and tart, with a crunchy sugar shell, brings so much life to any plate and always feels like a tiny celebration in your mouth. I’m beyond excited to walk you through making this simple yet stunning recipe that’s sure to become a seasonal favorite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind a perfect batch of sugared cranberries lies in just a few simple ingredients, each one playing an important role. Together, they create the perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and color that makes this recipe so irresistible.
- Water: Provides the base for dissolving the sugar and soaking the cranberries, ensuring they get evenly coated.
- Granulated sugar (for syrup): Melts into the water to create a syrup that clings perfectly to the cranberries.
- Fresh cranberries: These tart little berries bring that vibrant color and a burst of refreshing tang.
- Granulated sugar (for coating): Creates the crunchy, sparkly shell that gives sugared cranberries their signature look and delightful texture.
How to Make Sugared Cranberries Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Sugar Syrup
Begin by combining the water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently until all the sugar dissolves and the syrup becomes clear—this creates the sticky base that will help the cranberries hold onto their sugary coating beautifully.
Step 2: Soak the Cranberries
Add the fresh cranberries in two batches to the warm syrup. Let each batch soak for about one minute so they get fully coated and start to absorb some sweetness. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the cranberries and lay them out on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet; spreading them out prevents sticking and helps them dry evenly.
Step 3: Air Dry the Cranberries
Once all the cranberries have been soaked and placed on the rack, give them time to air dry for about one hour. This step is crucial as the surface needs to become tacky enough for the sugar coating to stick properly.
Step 4: Coat with Granulated Sugar
Pour granulated sugar into a shallow bowl. Working in small batches, roll the slightly tacky cranberries in the sugar, ensuring every berry is thoroughly coated. Transfer them back onto the baking sheet, spread out to avoid clumping, and allow them to dry for another hour to set the sugared shell.
Step 5: Store or Serve
After drying, your sugared cranberries are ready to dazzle! You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days or refrigerate for up to five days. This makes them an easy make-ahead decoration or snack that stays fresh and sparkly.
How to Serve Sugared Cranberries Recipe
Garnishes
Sugared cranberries are incredibly versatile as a garnish. They look stunning scattered atop frosted cakes, nestled on winter-themed cheeseboards, or perched on the rim of holiday punch glasses for an elegant, edible decoration.
Side Dishes
They also add a lovely burst of sweet-tart flavor to side dishes like green bean casserole or roasted Brussels sprouts. Their crunch and sparkle lift these traditional holiday sides to festive new heights.
Creative Ways to Present
For a whimsical touch, try threading sugared cranberries onto skewers with sprigs of rosemary or cinnamon sticks for a fragrant, festive centerpiece. Or toss them into cocktails like sparkling wine or spiced cider to add a pop of color and a little sweet zing with every sip.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any sugared cranberries left over, keeping them in an airtight container at room temperature works well for a few days. For longer freshness, pop the container in the fridge, where they stay delicious for up to five days without losing their signature sparkle.
Freezing
You can freeze sugared cranberries if you want to prepare them way ahead of time. Lay them flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. This way, they keep their shape and texture, ready for you to use during the busy holiday season.
Reheating
Reheating isn’t really necessary or recommended because the sugar coating is best enjoyed crisp and cold. If frozen, just let them thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before using to maintain their crunch and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cranberries for this Sugared Cranberries Recipe?
It’s best to use fresh cranberries because frozen ones release extra moisture that can prevent the sugar from sticking properly. Fresh cranberries have the firmness needed to hold the syrup and sugar coating just right.
How long do sugared cranberries last?
When stored in an airtight container, they last for up to five days in the refrigerator and a few days at room temperature. After that, they may lose their crunch and become a bit sticky.
Can I use alternative sweeteners instead of granulated sugar?
Granulated sugar is ideal for creating that classic crunchy coating and sparkle. Other sweeteners may not crystallize the same way, so for the best texture and appearance, stick to granulated sugar for this recipe.
Are sugared cranberries safe to eat raw?
Absolutely! Cranberries used in this recipe are fresh and only soaked in syrup before being coated with sugar—nothing is cooked that would compromise their safety. Plus, their tartness is a joy to enjoy raw.
Can I make these sugared cranberries vegan?
This recipe is naturally vegan since it uses just water, sugar, and cranberries, making it a perfect crowd-pleaser for those following a plant-based diet.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Sugared Cranberries Recipe enough for brightening up your holiday table or adding a delightful twist to your everyday treats. Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s one of my personal favorites — a little sparkle, a pop of tart flavor, and the easiest preparation make it pure joy to share. Go ahead and give it a try, and watch these sugared marvels bring a festive sparkle to every bite!
Print
Sugared Cranberries Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving (about 1 cup sugared cranberries)
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sugared Cranberries are vibrant, tart fresh cranberries coated with a sweet sugar shell, perfect for holiday garnishes, cocktails, or a sweet snack. This simple recipe involves soaking cranberries in a sugar syrup, then coating them with granulated sugar and allowing them to dry for a crunchy, sparkling finish.
Ingredients
For the Sugar Syrup:
- 1/4 cup water (60 ml)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 grams)
For Coating:
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (100 grams)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 grams)
Instructions
- Prepare Sugar Syrup: Place the water and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat gently until the sugar has fully dissolved into the water, then turn off the heat to stop further cooking.
- Soak Cranberries: Set a baking sheet lined with a wire rack nearby. Add the fresh cranberries to the warm sugar syrup in two batches, adding 1/2 cup at a time. Stir gently to combine and let each batch soak for about 1 minute.
- Drain Cranberries: Using a slotted spoon, remove the soaked cranberries from the syrup and place them evenly spaced on the wire rack atop the baking sheet to avoid crowding. Repeat for the second batch.
- Air Dry Cranberries: Let the cranberries sit at room temperature for about 1 hour to allow the syrup to set and become tacky.
- Coat with Sugar: Place the remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll the tacky cranberries in the sugar in small batches to coat each cranberry evenly with sugar crystals.
- Final Drying: Transfer the sugared cranberries back to the baking sheet in a single layer. Let them dry at room temperature for another hour to harden the sugar coating.
- Store: Once dry, place the sugared cranberries in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to a few days or refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.
Notes
- Be sure to space cranberries evenly on the wire rack to prevent sticking as they dry.
- You can use sugared cranberries immediately or store them for use as a festive garnish on desserts or cocktails.
- Handle cranberries gently during coating to keep the sugar coating intact.
- Using freshly picked or high-quality cranberries ensures the best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
