Sweet & Festive Sugared Cranberries Recipe: Holiday Magic in Minutes

Sweet memories of holiday gatherings come alive with these delightful sugared cranberries that sparkle like festive jewels.

Festive treats often feel complicated, but this recipe breaks all those expectations.

Winter celebrations demand something special and unexpected.

Guests will marvel at the stunning crimson gems coated in delicate sugar crystals.

Each cranberry becomes a tiny work of art that delights both eyes and palate.

Crisp, tart berries contrast beautifully with their sweet crystalline coating.

What Makes Sugared Cranberries So Festive

• Savor Festive Flair: Transform ordinary cranberries into sparkling, sweet-tart gems perfect for holiday gatherings and special occasions.
• Master Simple Technique: Create a stunning garnish with minimal cooking skills, using just a few basic ingredients found in most kitchens.
• Customize Elegant Treat: Adapt these sugared cranberries as decorative toppers for desserts, cocktails, or charcuterie boards, adding a gourmet touch to any spread.
• Enjoy Quick Prep: Craft a sophisticated snack or decoration in minimal steps, requiring little culinary expertise and delivering impressive results.

Ingredients for Sugared Cranberries

• Sugar: Sweet ingredient that creates a crystalline coating and adds delightful sweetness to the cranberries.
• Water: Helps dissolve the sugar and create a smooth syrup for coating the cranberries.

• Cranberries: Tart and bright red berries that will become a sparkling, sweet-coated treat with a crunchy sugar exterior.

• Sugar: Additional granulated sugar used for rolling the cranberries to create a beautiful, shimmering finish that adds extra sweetness and texture.

How to Prepare Sugared Cranberries

Step 1: Craft Sweet Syrup

In a saucepan, blend white sugar and water over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar completely melts and transforms into a smooth, glossy liquid. Watch as the mixture becomes clear and shiny, creating a perfect sweet base for your cranberries.

Step 2: Bathe Cranberries in Sweetness

Carefully tumble fresh cranberries into the warm sugar syrup. Gently swirl and coat each berry, ensuring they’re completely embraced by the sweet liquid. The cranberries will start to glisten and absorb the sugary goodness.

Step 3: Drain and Rest Berries

Use a slotted spoon to lift the cranberries from the syrup, allowing excess liquid to drip away. Transfer the berries to a wire cooling rack positioned over a baking sheet. Let them rest and air-dry for about an hour, creating a slightly tacky surface that will help the sugar stick.

Step 4: Create Sparkling Sugar Coating

Pour granulated sugar into a shallow bowl. Roll each slightly sticky cranberry in the sugar, ensuring a complete and even coating. Gently tumble the berries to cover them entirely, creating a frost-like, sparkling exterior.

Step 5: Final Drying and Serving

Place the sugar-coated cranberries back on the wire rack. Allow them to dry for another hour, letting the sugar crystallize and create a crunchy, sweet shell. Once completely dry, these sugared cranberries are ready to dazzle as a festive snack, cocktail garnish, or elegant dessert topping.

Pro Tips for Sugared Cranberries

• Drain cranberries completely to prevent excess syrup from making sugar coating soggy.
• Use superfine sugar for a smoother, more delicate coating that adheres better to the fruit.
• Store sugared cranberries in a single layer to maintain their crisp sugar shell and prevent sticking.
• Refrigerate for up to a week, keeping them in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper.
• Sprinkle these sparkling treats on desserts, salads, or use as a festive garnish for holiday cocktails and appetizers.

Variations to Try With Sugared Cranberries

• Spiced Cranberry Sparkle: Infuse the sugar syrup with cinnamon sticks, star anise, or cloves for a warm, aromatic flavor profile that complements the tart cranberries.
• Citrus Zest Cranberries: Add orange or lemon zest to the sugar coating for a bright, refreshing citrus kick that enhances the cranberries' natural tanginess.
• Maple Glazed Cranberries: Replace some of the white sugar with maple syrup in the coating for a rich, caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with the berries.
• Herbal Infusion Cranberries: Mix finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme into the sugar coating for an unexpected herbal note that adds complexity to the sweet-tart treat.

Pairing Ideas for Sugared Cranberries

• Complement Creamy Cheesecake: The sugared cranberries add a tangy, bright burst that perfectly cuts through rich, velvety cheesecake textures.

Elevate Festive Cocktail Experience

• Match with Champagne Cocktail: The sugary cranberries provide a delightful garnish and subtle sweetness to sparkling champagne or prosecco drinks.

Enhance Dessert Presentation

• Top Winter Desserts: Sprinkle these glistening cranberries over vanilla panna cotta, chocolate mousse, or white chocolate mousse for elegant decoration and tart contrast.

Storage Advice for Sugared Cranberries

• Store sugared cranberries in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain their crisp texture and sweet coating.
• Spread cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. They'll stay fresh for 2-3 months without losing their sugary crunch.
• Place in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight. Consume within 24 hours to prevent sugar from becoming sticky or dissolving.
• If cranberries lose their sugar coating, gently roll them in fresh granulated sugar before serving to restore their sparkling appearance.

FAQs About Sugared Cranberries

• Are sugared cranberries sweet or tart?

They have a perfect balance of sweetness from the sugar coating and tartness from the fresh cranberries, creating a delightful flavor contrast.

• Can I use these cranberries in desserts?

Absolutely! They make excellent garnishes for cakes, cocktails, holiday desserts, and can be enjoyed as a standalone sweet-tart snack.

• How long do sugared cranberries last?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they typically stay fresh for about 3-5 days, maintaining their crisp sugar coating.

• Do I need any special equipment to make sugared cranberries?

No, you just need a saucepan, wire rack, and a simple sugar syrup to create these beautiful and delicious treats.

Sugared Cranberries Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours and 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Festive Sugared Cranberries sparkle with winter magic, offering sweet-tart jewels perfect for holiday gatherings. Delicate crystal-coated berries provide elegant garnish and delightful crunch that elevates desserts and cocktails with seasonal charm.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

Syrup Ingredient:

• 1/2 cup water (120 milliliters)

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Instructions

1. Craft a simple syrup by heating sugar and water in a saucepan over medium temperature until the granules completely melt and blend seamlessly.
2. Gently introduce fresh cranberries into the warm liquid, carefully swirling to ensure each berry receives an even, glossy coating.
3. Extract the cranberries using a perforated utensil, allowing excess syrup to drip back into the pan, then transfer them onto a wire cooling rack.
4. Allow the syrup-glazed berries to air-dry for approximately 60 minutes, creating a slightly tacky surface that will help sugar adhere.
5. Delicately tumble the semi-dried cranberries in a shallow dish of granulated sugar, ensuring each berry becomes completely encrusted with sparkling crystals.
6. Position the sugar-coated cranberries back on the wire rack, permitting them to dry and set for an additional hour until their exterior becomes crisp and crystalline.
7. Once fully crystallized, transfer the sugared cranberries to a serving platter, where they will glisten like festive jewels ready to garnish desserts or offer as a tangy-sweet nibble.

Notes

• Prevent sugar clumping by ensuring cranberries are completely dry before rolling in sugar.
• Experiment with different sugar types like raw or powdered sugar for unique textures and flavors.
• Use a fine-mesh sieve for even sugar coating and less waste.
• Store sugared cranberries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days for best crispness.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 198 kcal
• Sugar: 49 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2.3 g
• Protein: 0.2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg