Sugared Cranberries

Sugared Cranberries are the perfect 2-ingredient sweet treat. Use as a garnish with any main dish for the holiday season or eat as a snack. These cranberries sparkle on any holiday table and make a beautiful addition to your favorite desserts.

Easy to make in small batches and a delicious dish to have for the holiday table.

 

Candied cranberries are always a hit when I make them. Not only do these sweet cranberries make a gorgeous garnish but they also go great with a holiday cheese board, and are a delicious addition to holiday cocktails, too.

This easy cranberry recipe really does add a festive touch to any and all recipes or drinks that you serve. The tart cranberries become quite sweet when adding the sugar coating.

Sugared Cranberries

Since these sparking sugared cranberries take just two simple ingredients to make, you can rest easy knowing that this new recipe is going to be a hit!

I’ve used this easy cranberry recipe in so many different ways and I’m still thinking up fun ideas to do!

The next time you’re at the store, make sure that you grab a bag of fresh cranberries, especially when they’re marked down as the holiday nears!

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cup sugar, divided
• 1- 1/2 cups cranberries (1 12-oz bag fresh cranberries)
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions

• In medium saucepan, bring 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Add cranberries and return to boil, then reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes. Let cool completely. 
• Use a slotted spoon to remove cranberries and place cranberries on a wire rack (on top of a baking sheet) and let dry 30 mins to 1 hour, until just tacky to the touch. 
• Place remaining 1 cup sugar on baking sheet and roll cranberries in the sugar until all cranberries are coated. Let dry completely. 
• Roll cranberries again in sugar (add more sugar if necessary) if there isn’t enough on them. 
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Suggestions and Alternatives

• Add to your cheese plate – Since charcuterie boards are so popular, having a small bowl of these sweet cranberries would be a huge hit!
• Use as a topping on desserts – When you combine the sugar and cranberries, sweet things happen! Adding them to desserts is an awesome flavor. You can easily make a cranberry coconut cake, or have them on top of individual cheesecake cups, too. The options are endless.

How Do You Make Raw Cranberries Taste Better?

The key to getting rid of the tart flavor of the fresh cranberries is to add sugar. Some people will also make this recipe using a simple syrup as well. Anything sweet added to cranberries will instantly make the tartness diminish.

Can You Use Frozen Cranberries?

This recipe is best made using fresh cranberries. This is because the granulated sugar is meant to add a sugary coating to the cranberries, not soak into them. If you happen to use frozen cranberries instead of fresh, they’ll thaw and release liquid that will be messy.

Do Cranberries with Sugar Need to Be Stored in the Refrigerator?

This is the best part of this recipe! If your refrigerator is already overflowing with holiday leftovers, you don’t have to keep these in the fridge. All you need is an airtight container that can keep them sealed and you’re good to go. The jar filled with cranberries can then be kept on the counter.

You’ll want to eat them fast though as they’ll only last 2-3 days. (but don’t worry, I don’t think you’re going to have an issue!)

Have fun creating this fun and festive treat. It’s a great way to add some fruit to your holiday table in a way that makes for the perfect garnish or addition, too!

More Cranberry Recipes

• Cranberry Crescent Rolls Recipe
• Best Cranberry Sauce Recipe
• Easy White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge