How to Make Sugared Cranberries

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Sugared cranberries are the perfect way to add a festive sparkle to your holiday treats. With their bright red color and sweet-tart coating, these little gems are not only eye-catching but incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re adding them as a beautiful garnish for desserts, a sweet-tart snack, or a decorative touch to charcuterie boards, sugared cranberries are versatile and elegant. This How to Make Sugared Cranberries recipe uses simple ingredients and can be made in a small batch, perfect for holiday gatherings or just a little bit of festive fun.

How to Make Sugared Cranberries

Sugared cranberries are a festive, sweet-tart treat that adds sparkle to your holiday table. Made with fresh cranberries, a simple syrup, and a sugar coating, they’re perfect as a beautiful garnish for desserts, a topping for cheese boards, or a crunchy snack. Easy to make and delightfully eye-catching, these sparkling cranberries bring a touch of holiday magic to any dish!

Sugared Cranberries Recipe

• Servings: 4 servings
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Cool Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh cranberries – Found at most grocery stores, fresh cranberries are ideal for this recipe.
• 1 cup granulated sugar (divided into ½ cup portions) – You can use regular sugar, cane sugar, or even caster sugar for a finer coating.
• ½ cup water – When combined with sugar, this makes a simple syrup mixture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Simple Syrup

Using a medium saucepan, combine ½ cup of sugar and ½ cup of water. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely, creating a sweet syrup. This simple syrup mixture will help the sugar adhere to the cranberries, giving them a frosty, sparkling look. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool for about 5 minutes.

2. Coat the Cranberries

Once the syrup has cooled slightly, add the fresh cranberries to the pan, stirring gently to coat each one evenly. Let the cranberries sit in the syrup for around 10 minutes to ensure they soak up just the right amount of sweetness. This step creates a beautiful contrast between the tart berries and the sweet sugar.

3. Dry the Cranberries

Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the cranberries from the syrup, allowing any excess syrup to drip off. Place them on a cooling rack or a piece of parchment paper in a single layer to prevent sticking. Let them dry for about an hour; they should be sticky to the touch. The leftover syrup can be saved and used in other holiday recipes or winter desserts.

4. Roll in Sugar

Pour the remaining ½ cup of sugar into a shallow dish. Roll each cranberry in the sugar until fully coated, giving them a frosted appearance that’s perfect for holiday decor. You can use coarse sugar for a chunkier, more sparkling look, or vanilla sugar if you prefer a subtle hint of vanilla flavor. This sugar coating not only adds a layer of sugar but also provides a delightful crunch.

5. Final Drying

Arrange the sugared cranberries on a baking sheet or plate in a single layer to dry completely for about 30 minutes. This drying step helps the sugar harden, giving each cranberry a crunchy, satisfying texture.

6. Store and Serve

Your sugared cranberries are now ready to serve! They make a delicious snack or a gorgeous garnish for holiday desserts and cheese boards. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, making them a great make-ahead option.

Ways to Use Sugared Cranberries

Sugared cranberries are incredibly versatile and add a touch of holiday magic to a variety of dishes:

• Holiday Desserts: These candied cranberries are a beautiful addition to cakes, pies, or a festive pumpkin pie.
• Garnish for Cheese and Charcuterie Boards: Scatter them across a charcuterie board alongside sprigs of rosemary and orange peel for a seasonal twist.
• Sweet-Tart Snack: Enjoy them on their own for a quick, festive treat that contrasts the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of sugar.
• Topping for Quick Breads and Winter Desserts: Add them to a cinnamon roll wreath or on top of a quick bread for a festive look.

Tips for the Best Sugared Cranberries

• Use Superfine or Caster Sugar: Using fine sugar granules like caster sugar can give your cranberries a smoother, frostier finish. If you’re looking for the best sugar for a gorgeous garnish, superfine is the way to go.
• Choose Basic Ingredients: This recipe uses simple, basic ingredients that you can find in most grocery stores, making it easy for anyone to recreate at home.
• Keep at Room Temperature in Low Humidity: Sugared cranberries are best kept at room temperature in an airtight container, especially in low-humidity environments. High humidity can make them sticky.
• Add Flavors to the Simple Syrup: Try adding a cinnamon stick or orange zest to the syrup for a warm, festive flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you store sugared cranberries?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This allows the sugar to stay crunchy and the cranberries fresh.

What’s the best sugar for sugared cranberries?
Regular granulated sugar works well, but coarse sugar or caster sugar can offer a more decorative, frosty appearance. For an added twist, try vanilla sugar for a subtle vanilla flavor.

Can I use leftover syrup?
Yes, the leftover syrup can be added to other recipes, like cranberry sauce or winter desserts, for an extra hint of sweetness.

Do sugared cranberries go well with other holiday flavors?
Absolutely! They’re a perfect addition to pumpkin pie, cheese boards, or as a decorative garnish for any winter treat.

Sugared cranberries are a next-level way to bring a little holiday charm to your table. These little jewels are easy to make and add a delightful contrast of the tart cranberries with a crunchy, sugary coating. Whether you’re using them as a beautiful garnish or enjoying them as a tart treat, they’re sure to become one of your favorite things this holiday season. Try this recipe the next time you’re looking to elevate your holiday decor with a little bit of sparkle and sweetness.

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