Sugared Cranberries
Sugared Cranberries are the festive finishing touch your holiday desserts have been missing!
With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can whip up a sparkling, sweet-tart treat that doubles as a stunning garnish or an addictive snack.
You only need a few ingredients and a little bit of time to make this delicious cranberry recipe.
Whether you’re using them to dress up a dessert, garnish a holiday drink, or just snack on by the handful (guilty!), I’ll walk you through exactly how to make them, plus some fun ideas for serving and storing them through the season.
How to Make Sugared Cranberries
Be sure to print the full recipe at the bottom of the page so you can have it handy, then gather your ingredients – all you need are fresh cranberries, sugar, and water.
- Start by simmering the cranberries in a simple syrup (just sugar and water) for a few minutes until they’re tender but not bursting.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and let them dry just until they feel tacky—not wet—before rolling them in more sugar to get that beautiful sparkle.
Fresh cranberries work best for this recipe. Frozen ones tend to get too soft when thawed and won’t hold their shape or crunch.
They’re best within 2–3 days. Store them uncovered at room temperature to keep them from getting sticky. If they start to clump, you can always re-roll them in sugar.
If your syrup is too hot or you simmer the berries too long, they may burst. Keep the heat low and only cook them for about 3 minutes.
They stay fresh for about 2–3 days at room temperature. Store them in a shallow dish uncovered or loosely covered to prevent stickiness. Avoid refrigeration, and re-roll in sugar if needed to refresh their sparkle.
What do you do with sugared cranberries?
- Garnish desserts – Top fall flavored cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, or tarts for a beautiful holiday sparkle.
- Dress up drinks – Skewer them on cocktail picks for holiday beverages or float a few in sparkling water or champagne.
- Add to cheese boards – Their sweet-tart bite pairs perfectly with creamy cheeses and nuts.
- Use as table decor – Scatter them around centerpieces or place them in small bowls for a festive touch.
- Snack on them! – They’re addictively sweet and crunchy—great by the handful.
If they start to clump together, you can gently separate them and re-roll in sugar for a fresh coat of sparkle.
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If you love seasonal treats and festive holiday prep, be sure to check out these great ideas too!
- Fall dessert recipes are full of cozy flavors like cinnamon, pumpkin, and cranberry—just right for any autumn gathering.
- Get inspired with fall recipes that make the most of the season’s best ingredients, from sweet to savory.
- A Cranberry Layer Cake is a showstopping dessert that’s perfect for Thanksgiving or any fall celebration.
- Stay on track (and stress-free!) with this printable Thanksgiving Cooking Schedule that helps you plan every delicious detail.
- Wondering how to set your Thanksgiving table? These simple tips will help you create a warm and welcoming holiday table.
- Add a festive touch to your table with these creative and easy Thanksgiving table runner ideas.
How to Make Sugared Cranberries
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh cranberries washed and dried.
- 2 cups regular granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup sugar for coating
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, dissolve white sugar in water over medium low heat.
- Add cranberries to the warm sugar syrup and simmer for 3 minutes until tender but not bursting.
- Remove with a slotted spoon onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Add the sugar for coating and cranberries to a sheet pan or large bowl.
- Mix the cranberries to coat them evenly.
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