Juicy Sweet Cranberries Recipe: Your New Favorite Treat!

Bursting with festive flavor, this cranberry magic recipe brings a vibrant twist to traditional holiday sides.

Cranberries dance in a delightful sweet and tangy blend that captures the essence of seasonal comfort.

Ripe, juicy berries mingle with sugary notes, creating a harmonious symphony of taste.

Each spoonful promises a burst of brightness that complements hearty main dishes perfectly.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, ensuring anyone can craft this delectable treat.

The rich ruby color and glossy finish make this dish a stunning addition to any table.

Your guests will be enchanted by this irresistible cranberry creation that elevates every bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 hours

Total Time: 12 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 145 kcal

Servings: 8

Sugared Cranberry Ingredient List

• Granulated Sugar: Provides the sweet foundation for coating cranberries, selecting pure white sugar ensures a clean, crisp sweetness.
• Water: Creates the liquid base that helps sugar dissolve and softens cranberry texture, using filtered water enhances overall flavor clarity.

• Fresh Cranberries: Deliver a tart burst of flavor, selecting plump, firm berries without soft spots ensures the best candied result.

• Granulated Sugar, Superfine Sugar: Creates sparkling exterior with delightful crunch, superfine sugar produces a more elegant, delicate crystalline finish.

Tools That Help Coat and Crystallize Sugared Cranberries

• Small saucepan: Perfect for creating smooth, even simple syrup.
• Medium bowl: Essential for coating cranberries with syrup and sugar.
• Colander or sieve: Great for draining excess liquid from cranberries.
• Parchment-lined baking sheet: Helps dry and set sugared cranberries.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Useful for stirring syrup and coating cranberries.
• Measuring cups: Ensures precise ingredient proportions.

How to Make Sparkling Sugared Cranberries at Home

• Create Sweet Syrup

Grab a small pot and blend water with sugar. Warm the mixture on medium heat, stirring gently until sugar completely dissolves. Take the pot off the stove and let the liquid cool down naturally.

• Bathe Cranberries

Pour the cooled syrup over fresh cranberries in a bowl. Softly stir to ensure each berry gets a sweet bath. Allow them to soak for a few minutes, soaking up delicious sweetness.

• Roll in Sugar

Drain the cranberries using a colander. Toss them in a bowl of granulated sugar, making sure each berry gets completely covered. For an extra sparkly look, use superfine sugar that creates a delicate, glittery coating.

• Dry and Shine

Spread the sugared cranberries on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Let them rest and dry for 1-2 hours until the sugar coating becomes crisp and the berries look like tiny crystalline jewels.

Tips to Balance Sweet and Tart in Cranberries

• Roll cranberries in colored sanding sugar for festive holiday presentation.
• Prepare sugared cranberries up to 2 days in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Infuse simple syrup with orange zest, cinnamon stick, or vanilla bean for extra depth and complexity.
• Use coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener for a lower glycemic index option that works perfectly for diabetic-friendly or keto diets.
• Use these sparkling cranberries as elegant decorations on desserts, cocktails, cheese boards, or winter salads for stunning visual appeal.

Serve Sugared Cranberries as Garnish or Snack

• Holiday Garnish: Sprinkle these sparkling cranberries on dessert platters for a festive winter touch that adds elegant color and sweet-tart crunch.
• Cocktail Glamour Boost: Float these sugared gems in champagne, martinis, or festive holiday drinks to create stunning visual appeal and surprising flavor bursts.
• Festive Dessert Decoration: Top cheesecakes, cupcakes, or chocolate mousse with these glistening cranberries to instantly elevate your sweet treats with a professional bakery-style presentation.
• Seasonal Salad Surprise: Scatter these sugar-coated cranberries over winter salads with mixed greens, goat cheese, and candied nuts for a delightful textural and taste contrast.

Store Sugared Cranberries to Keep Them Crisp

• Store sugared cranberries in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep them chilled in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, lasting up to one week.
• Carefully arrange cranberries on a flat tray before freezing to maintain their delicate sugar crystals. Transfer frozen berries to a sealed freezer bag, which preserves their texture for approximately one month.
• Make these cranberries a day ahead of your event to allow sugar coating to set perfectly. Their sparkling appearance works wonderfully as a festive garnish or standalone sweet snack.
• Avoid storing these delicate treats in humid environments, which can cause sugar coating to dissolve. Choose a cool, dry spot in your refrigerator to maintain their crunchy, crystalline texture.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?

Fresh cranberries work best for sugared cranberries. Frozen cranberries might release too much moisture and won’t create the same crisp sugar coating.

• How long will sugared cranberries stay fresh?

These cranberries are best enjoyed within 1-2 days. Store them in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their sugary crunch.

• Are sugared cranberries only for decoration?

Not at all! They’re delicious as a sweet-tart snack, a festive cocktail garnish, or a beautiful topping for desserts like cheesecake, pavlova, or holiday cookies.

• Can I adjust the sugar coating?

Absolutely! You can experiment with different types of sugar like turbinado or colored sanding sugar to create unique textures and appearances for your sugared cranberries.

Sweet Cranberries Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 9 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Cranberry lovers will adore this Sugared Cranberries recipe that sparkles with festive winter charm. Sweet-tart cranberries coated in crystalline sugar provide a delightful holiday garnish for desserts and cocktails you can easily prepare.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 200 g / 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 200 g / 1 cup granulated sugar
• 200 ml / 1 cup water
• 100 g / ½ cup superfine sugar or granulated sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Syrup Preparation: In a small saucepan, dissolve granulated sugar in water over gentle heat, stirring until a clear liquid forms. Cool the syrup to room temperature.
2. Cranberry Infusion: Immerse fresh cranberries in the cooled syrup, ensuring complete coverage. Let the berries soak for 5-10 minutes, absorbing the sweet essence.
3. Sugar Coating: Drain cranberries thoroughly, then roll them in granulated sugar, creating a complete, sparkling exterior. Ensure each berry is uniformly crystallized.
4. Drying Process: Spread the sugar-encrusted cranberries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow them to air dry and solidify for 1-2 hours until they develop a glossy, frost-like finish.
5. Serving and Storage: Transfer the luminous sugared cranberries to a serving dish or airtight container. These elegant morsels can be used as a festive garnish, sophisticated snack, or decorative culinary element.

Notes

• Syrup Temperature Control: Let the simple syrup cool completely before coating cranberries to prevent berry breakdown and ensure a crisp sugar coating.
• Berry Selection Matters: Choose firm, fresh cranberries without soft spots for the best texture and brightest appearance in the final sugared treat.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll berries gently in sugar, avoiding heavy pressing to maintain a delicate, even crystalline layer without crushing the fruit.
• Storage Strategy: Keep sugared cranberries in a single layer to prevent clumping, and store in a cool, dry place for maximum crispness and up to 2-3 days of optimal freshness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 139
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 0.5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg