Description
Sugared Cranberries are a festive, tangy-sweet treat perfect for holiday garnishes or snacking. Fresh cranberries are briefly boiled in a simple sugar syrup, then rolled in granulated sugar for a sparkly, crunchy coating that balances tartness with sweetness. This quick and easy recipe yields vibrant cranberry jewels that add charm and flavor to cocktails, desserts, or cheese platters.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Fresh Cranberries (washed & pat dry)
- 2 Cups White Granulated Sugar (divided)
- 1 Cup Water
Instructions
- Prepare Surface: Cover a large pan or clean surface with parchment paper to lay out the cranberries for drying.
- Make Sugar Syrup: In a pot, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil while stirring occasionally until all the sugar dissolves, then let boil for 60 seconds. This process takes about 5 minutes depending on stove heat.
- Cool Syrup Slightly: Remove the pot from heat and let the hot sugar syrup cool for about 2 minutes to avoid cooking the berries too harshly.
- Coat Cranberries: Toss the fresh cranberries into the warm sugar syrup and gently stir until each berry is fully coated with the syrup.
- Drain Excess Syrup: Use a slotted spoon to lift the cranberries from the syrup, allowing excess liquid to drip off before spreading them evenly on the prepared parchment paper.
- Dry the Cranberries: Let the coated cranberries rest uncovered for 45 minutes so they form a tacky surface that will hold the sugar coating.
- Sugar Coat Cranberries: Place the remaining 1 cup of sugar in a medium bowl. Add about a quarter of the cranberries at a time to the sugar and toss gently until fully coated. Use a clean slotted spoon to transfer the sugared cranberries into a clean bowl or container.
- Serve or Store: Enjoy immediately as a garnish or snack, or store in a sealed container for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for best texture and taste; avoid frozen or soft berries.
- Be sure cranberries are dry before starting to help the sugar adhere properly.
- If you prefer less sugar, you can reduce the sugar quantity slightly, but this may affect the coating and sweetness.
- Sugared cranberries make excellent cocktail garnishes, holiday decorating accents, or toppings for desserts and salads.
- Store in a cool, dry place; refrigeration is not recommended as it can cause melting of the sugar coating.
