Appetizers
Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries
Whether you call them sugared cranberries or candied cranberries, they're the reliable sparkling garnish to nearly any holiday dish or cocktail. They're straightforward to mix, too.
At a glance
What stands out: Whether you call them sugared cranberries or candied cranberries, they’re the reliable sparkling garnish to nearly any holiday dish or cocktail. Sugared cranberries are straightforward to mix and are pretty irresistible.
How long it takes: 10 minutes, plus an hour to let them dry
Equipment you’ll need: small saucepan, wire rack
Servings: 12
Sugared Cranberries
Aren’t these sugared cranberries the prettiest things? Sugared cranberries are like little jewels for your food!
They go by different names: sugared cranberries, candied cranberries, or frosted cranberries. You can call ’em what you like but you’ll definitely want to try this straightforward little recipe.
Wanna know a standby part? They’re straightforward to mix so they’re a great last minute addition to your holiday plans.
How To Use Sugared Cranberries
- Add to appetizers, cakes, pies. We love them as a garnish for that memorable baked brie We shared last week. They are the reliable sweet tart complement to the cranberry sauce and bourbon candied pecans. We've also had them on these festive sparkling cranberry brie bites, a straightforward holiday appetizer idea from Tasty Mummy Kitchen. Garnish a cake or pie with the cranberries to add a special touch.
- Garnish cocktails. The cranberries also look stunning on a refreshing holiday cocktail. Skewer a few cranberries on a pretty toothpick and balance it on the edge of a champagne glass. It’s so pretty!
- Embellish charcuterie boards. We love adding sparkling sugared cranberries to our charcuterie platters. Not only are they are gorgeous, the tart cranberries complement the rich creamy cheese.
- Snack on them like candy. Put these candied cranberries in a candy bowl and watch them disappear.
How it comes together
There are only three simple steps to making these sugared cranberries:
- Make a simple syrup of sugar and water.
- Coat the cranberries in the simple syrup and spread them onto a baking rack to dry for an hour.
- Roll the sticky cranberries in more sugar. And that’s it!
They’re straightforward and so fun. The contrast of the tart cranberries is so so good with the sugary coating. You are going to love these, and everyone will be so impressed by you!
Possible Recipe Variations
- Add flavorings. For vanilla flavored cranberries, add scraped vanilla bean (the pulp of the bean) to the rolling sugar. For orange flavored cranberries, add finely grated orange zest to the rolling sugar.
- Use frozen cranberries. Although we haven’t tested it, we did a little research and it looks like you can use frozen cranberries. Allow the frozen cranberries to partially defrost before adding them to the simple syrup. Soak them in the simple syrup for 10 minutes before removing them to dry.
Keeping leftovers
Refrigerate: Store the cranberries in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for a few days. If they start to “weep” a little, just give them another speedy toss in sugar to freshen them up.
You can also re-use the simple syrup. Refrigerate it in a jar and use it to make cocktails.
- Yield: 12
- Prep: 5 minutes
- Cook: 5 minutes
- Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 bag (12 oz.) fresh cranberries
- 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
- ½ cup water
Method
- Sort cranberries, discarding any soft or wrinkled berries. Rinse well and drain.
- Combine ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Do not boil. Remove from heat.
- Stir the cranberries into the simple syrup, and stir to coat well.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper. Set a wire rack inside the baking sheet. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cranberries to the wire rack. Let the cranberries dry for 1 hour.
- After one hour of drying, roll cranberries in remaining sugar until completely coated.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days (see note).
Notes
Storage: Refrigerate sugared cranberries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If they start to get watery, just give them another speedy toss in sugar to freshen them up.
Reuse simple syrup: Refrigerate it in a jar with a lid and use it to make cocktails or another batch of cranberries. It will keep for about a month.
