Sugared Cranberries make a festive addition to your holiday desserts. With just three ingredients they are so simple to make!
Welcome to our step-by-step guide on making Sugared Cranberries! Sugared cranberries are a festive and versatile treat—perfect for adding a pop of color to holiday cocktails, garnishing cakes, or simply enjoying as a snack. Not only are they beautiful and delicious, but they’re also easy to make with just a few ingredients. Here’s everything you need to know to create these delightful, sweet-tart cranberries. Get ready to add some sparkle and shine to your holiday treats!
Why you’ll love these Sugared Cranberries
- Great addition to your holiday treats!
- Add sparkle and shine!
- Perfect garnish for festive cocktails!
- Delicious to eat!
- Tart and sweet!
What are Sugared Cranberries?
Sugared cranberries are fresh cranberries dipped in simple syrup and coated with granulated sugar. Also known as candied cranberries.
Why make Sugared Cranberries?
Sugared cranberries are the perfect addition to your holiday treats. Their frosty, sparkling appearance and juicy, tangy taste make them a delightful way to dress up any dessert or table setting. These glistening berries add a festive touch to everything from cakes and pies to charcuterie boards. Plus, the simple process makes them ideal for last-minute treats that are sure to impress.
With just three basic ingredients—fresh cranberries, sugar, and water—you can create a show-stopping garnish or snack in minutes. Let’s get started with the essentials to make these sugared cranberries a part of your holiday spread!
Understanding the Ingredients
- Fresh Cranberries: The star of the show, essential for texture, color and flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Needed for both the simple syrup and to coat the cranberries. Adds the sparkle!
- Water: Used to dissolve the sugar and make it into simple syrup.
The sugar not only sweetens the cranberries but also helps them form a sparkling coat. You can add a touch of vanilla or a splash of orange zest to the simple syrup for extra flavor, though it’s optional. Using superfine or colored sugar for the final coating can also add a unique twist if you want different textures or colors.
Step 1: Preparing the Simple Syrup
Creating a simple syrup is the first step toward making sugared cranberries. A simple syrup is just a mixture of sugar dissolved in water, and it allows the sugar to adhere well to the cranberries.
- In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup of water and ½ cup of granulated sugar.
- Heat over medium-low, stirring continuously until the sugar is completely dissolved (about 2-3 minutes). The syrup should be clear, not cloudy, with no visible sugar crystals. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 3 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool slightly before adding the cranberries.
Step 2: Coating the Cranberries in Simple Syrup
Now, it’s time to coat the cranberries in the syrup. This step ensures that the sugar will stick to the cranberries and give them that frosty look.
- Add the fresh cranberries to the warm syrup, stirring gently to coat them all.
- Let the cranberries sit in the syrup for 2-3 minutes to ensure they absorb a bit of sweetness while becoming sticky.
- After soaking, use a slotted spoon to remove the cranberries, allowing any excess syrup to drip off and place on a parchment lined baking sheet and allow them to dry for 1 hour.
For an extra holiday touch, you can add a cinnamon stick or a few cloves to the simple syrup for a subtle spiced flavor. Just remove the spices before coating the cranberries, so they don’t overpower the taste.
Step 3: Rolling Cranberries in Sugar for Sparkle
This step creates the signature sparkle that makes sugared cranberries look so festive!
- Place ½ cup of granulated sugar in a shallow dish or plate.
- Roll the syrup-coated cranberries a few at a time in the sugar, ensuring each one is completely covered.
- Arrange the sugared cranberries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking.
For a unique twist, try using superfine sugar for a delicate coating or colored sugar for a vibrant look. Rolling just a few cranberries at a time helps ensure they’re evenly coated and prevents clumping.
Step 4: Letting the Cranberries Dry
The final step is letting the sugared cranberries dry. This step is crucial to set the sugar coating and give them a crisp outer texture.
- Allow the sugared cranberries to dry on the parchment-lined baking sheet for at least 1-2 hours.
- Once dried, they’ll have a firm, frosty exterior that’s perfect for garnishing or snacking.
After they’re completely dry, store the sugared cranberries in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. This ensures they stay fresh and crisp without becoming sticky.
Creative Ways to Use Sugared Cranberries
Now that you’ve made these beautiful sugared cranberries, there are endless ways to use them:
- Garnish cocktails: Drop a few sugared cranberries on top of holiday cocktails for a festive touch.
- Decorate desserts: Add them to cakes, cupcakes, pies, or tarts for a sparkling decoration.
- Snack platter or charcuterie board: Sugared cranberries add a pop of color and sweetness to any cheese or charcuterie board.
- Holiday gifts: Place them in a decorative jar or gift box for a unique and edible holiday present.
Feel free to experiment with these ideas or come up with your own ways to enjoy sugared cranberries. They’re a quick, easy, and beautiful way to add a little sparkle to your holiday season.
Let Your Holidays Sparkle and Shine!
Making quick sugared cranberries is an easy and rewarding way to add a festive, frosty touch to your holiday table. With minimal ingredients and just a few steps, you’ll have a beautiful garnish or snack that’s sure to impress. We hope this guide helps you create your own batch of sugared cranberries to enjoy this season!
If you enjoyed this recipe, let us know in the comments, and feel free to share your favorite ways to use sugared cranberries! Happy holidays and happy cooking! And remember…
Life’s too short to eat bad food!
For other festive candy treats try:
Sugared Cranberries
Equipment
- saucepan
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- slotted spoon
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh cranberries washed and dried
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar divided
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine water and ½ cup of sugar.
- Heat over medium-low, stirring continuously until the sugar is completely dissolved (about 2-3 minutes). Bring to a boil and let simmer for 3 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool slightly before adding the cranberries.
- Add the cranberries to the warm syrup, stirring gently to coat.
- Let the cranberries sit in the syrup for 2-3 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the cranberries, allowing any excess syrup to drip off and then place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Spread out.
- Let the cranberries dry for 1 hour.
- Place ½ cup of granulated sugar in a shallow dish or plate.
- Roll the syrup-coated cranberries a few at a time in the sugar, ensuring each one is completely covered.
- Arrange the sugared cranberries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking.
- Allow the sugared cranberries to dry on the parchment-lined baking sheet for at least 1-2 hours.
Recent Comments