Jolly Candied Cranberries Recipe: Holiday Sparkle in Every Bite

Sparkling like winter jewels, these homemade candied cranberries burst with festive holiday cheer.

Sweet sugar crystals coat tart cranberries in a delightful winter recipe that dazzles taste buds.

Each ruby-red morsel brings a pop of brightness to desserts and cocktails.

The simple technique creates elegant garnishes that shimmer and shine on your holiday table.

No professional skills are needed to craft these gorgeous treats.

Guests will marvel at your culinary creativity when you serve these glistening cranberry gems.

Prepare to transform an ordinary dish into something truly spectacular.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1-2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 8

Candied Cranberries Ingredient Snapshot

• White Sugar: Provides sweetness and creates glossy coating for cranberries, choose fine granulated sugar for smooth texture.
• Water: Dissolves sugar and creates syrup base, use filtered water for clearest results.

• Fresh Cranberries: Tart and vibrant berries that transform into sparkling sweet treats, select plump and firm cranberries without soft spots.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates crunchy exterior and adds extra sweetness, use fine-grain sugar for even coverage.

Equipment for Making Candied Cranberries

• Medium saucepan: Essential for creating smooth, even simple syrup.
• Slotted spoon: Perfect for carefully lifting and draining cranberries from syrup.
• Wire rack: Helps cranberries dry evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Baking sheet: Catches any drips and provides stable surface for drying.
• Measuring cups: Ensures precise sugar and water quantities for consistent results.

Cook Candied Cranberries Like a Pro

• Create Sweet Syrup

Grab a saucepan and mix sugar with water over medium heat. Stir gently until sugar dissolves completely. Avoid letting the mixture bubble or boil.

• Soak Cranberries

Remove syrup from heat and let it cool slightly. Submerge fresh cranberries in the liquid, making sure they’re fully covered. Allow them to rest for at least one hour, which helps them absorb the sweet coating.

• Drain and Dry Berries

Use a slotted spoon to transfer cranberries onto a wire rack. Let them sit for an hour until they develop a slightly sticky texture. They should feel tacky but not completely dry.

• Sugar Coating

Gently roll each cranberry in granulated sugar, ensuring a complete and even coverage. Place the sugar-coated berries back on the rack to dry for another hour.

• Store and Enjoy

Once the cranberries are fully dry, move them to an airtight container. These sweet treats can be kept at room temperature and will stay delicious for 2-3 days. Perfect for garnishing desserts or enjoying as a quick snack.

Candied Cranberries Tips for the Holidays

• Use superfine or baker's sugar for an ultra-smooth, even crystal coating that looks stunning and feels silky on the cranberries.
• Prep these jewel-like treats up to two days in advance, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or last-minute dessert garnishes.
• Infuse your simple syrup with warming spices like cinnamon stick, star anise, or vanilla bean to add depth and complexity to your candied cranberries.
• For a sugar-free version, substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia-based syrup, keeping the bright, tangy cranberry essence intact.
• Sprinkle these sparkling treats over winter salads, decorate holiday desserts, or use as festive cocktail garnishes for an elegant touch.

Ways to Plate and Serve Candied Cranberries

• Holiday Dessert Topper: Sprinkle these sparkling candied cranberries over cheesecake, mousse, or vanilla ice cream for a festive and tangy garnish.
• Festive Cocktail Accent: Drop a few candied cranberries into champagne, prosecco, or holiday martinis to add a sweet-tart crunch and elegant decoration.
• Gourmet Salad Surprise: Scatter these sugared gems over winter salads with mixed greens, goat cheese, and toasted pecans for a delightful textural contrast and burst of flavor.
• Edible Holiday Gift: Package the candied cranberries in small clear jars with ribbons as a homemade, charming seasonal present for friends and family who love unique culinary treats.

Save Candied Cranberries for Seasonal Snacking

• Keep candied cranberries in an airtight glass container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain their delicate sugar coating.
• Separate candied cranberries with parchment paper layers when storing to prevent sticking and preserve their individual sugary texture.
• Enjoy these delightful treats within 2-3 days for maximum flavor and crispest sugar shell, as moisture can gradually soften theiral crunch.
• While room temperature works best, you can extend their lifespan by refrigerating in a sealed container for up to 5 days, understanding the sugar might slightly crystallize or become less crisp.

FAQs

• What are candied cranberries good for?

These sweet and tart treats are perfect for holiday garnishes, adding to desserts like cakes and cheesecakes, sprinkling on salads, or using as festive cocktail decorations.

• Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?

Fresh cranberries work best, but if using frozen, thaw them completely and pat dry before starting the candying process to ensure the best texture and sugar coating.

• Why do I need to let the cranberries soak in syrup?

Soaking helps soften the cranberries slightly and allows them to absorb the sweet syrup, creating a delicious balance between the tart fruit and the sugar coating.

• Is it possible to make these cranberries less sweet?

You can reduce the sugar quantity slightly in the syrup, but keep in mind this might affect the final texture and glazing process of the cranberries.

Festive Candied Cranberries Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Sweet candied cranberries elevate holiday desserts with a festive sparkle. Crimson jewels coated in sugar crystals offer a delightful balance of tart and sugary flavors you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (200 g / 7 oz) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) water
• 2 cups (200 g / 7 oz) fresh cranberries
• ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) additional granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. Syrup Preparation: Dissolve sugar in water over gentle heat in a saucepan, stirring continuously until crystals vanish completely without boiling.
2. Cranberry Infusion: Submerge fresh cranberries in cooled syrup, allowing them to marinate for a minimum of one hour or overnight to maximize flavor penetration.
3. Initial Draining: Using a slotted spoon, transfer cranberries onto a wire rack positioned above a baking sheet, enabling excess syrup to drip away and initial air-drying to commence.
4. Surface Transformation: Let cranberries rest for approximately one hour, developing a slightly adhesive exterior that will facilitate optimal sugar coating.
5. Sugar Crystallization: Meticulously coat each cranberry in granulated sugar, ensuring a uniform, sparkling layer that creates a stunning, gem-like finish.
6. Final Drying and Setting: Return sugar-encrusted cranberries to the wire rack, permitting them to dry completely for another hour, which solidifies the sugar coating and enhances their glossy appearance.
7. Storage and Preservation: Once fully crystallized, transfer candied cranberries to an airtight container, maintaining their texture and flavor at room temperature for two to three days, ready to elevate desserts or enjoy as a standalone delicacy.

Notes

Maintain Sugar Syrup Temperature: Gently heat without boiling to prevent caramelization and preserve delicate cranberry texture.

Control Soaking Time: Longer immersion intensifies flavor absorption, but avoid over-soaking to prevent cranberries from becoming mushy.

Select Fresh Cranberries: Choose firm, unblemished berries with vibrant color for best visual appeal and crisp sugar coating.

Manage Drying Process: Ensure proper air circulation on wire rack to create even, glossy sugar crystallization and prevent clumping.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg