How to Make Sugared Cranberries

Make beautiful and delicious sugared cranberries from the comfort of your own kitchen. You’ll be making festive dessert garnishes in no time.

Are you looking to add a festive holiday touch to your baking? Sugared cranberries are the perfect way to take any muffin, cupcake or cake up a notch! And the good news is that they’re surprisingly easy to make.

Learn how to rule this delicious holiday treat with these easy steps for making sugared cranberries. Get ready for an elegant showstopper and some guests ‘ooo’s and ahhhhh’s!

Why This Recipe Works

• Simple process using just 3 basic ingredients.
• Results in gorgeous sugared cranberries.
• Perfect garnish for holiday desserts.
• They taste amazing – sweet and tangy with a satisfying crunch.

Tips for Making the BEST Sugared Cranberries

• Clean your cranberries well, and then make sure they are thoroughly dried before proceeding to ensure the syrup sticks to them.
• Do make sure you simmer the sugar and water together until the sugar has completely dissolved, and the syrup has thickened slightly.
• Do not skip stirring and tossing the cranberries in the syrup to make sure they are thoroughly coated.
• Do not let the cranberries cook until they burst. Follow the timing given exactly.
• Sugared cranberries are fragile, so handle them with care.
• This recipe works well for making candied oranges and sugared rosemary.
• Save your simple syrup, don’t dump it!

How to Serve Sugared Cranberries

You can make sugared cranberries ahead of time, but do not garnish with them until just before serving to avoid them absorbing any moisture.

• Snack on them. They make a great addition to any holiday snacking board.
• Garnish with them. Perfect garnish for cranberry cake, cranberry cupcakes, pumpkin pie, and more!
• Decorate your main dish. These look fantastic served with a roasted turkey.
• Beverage garnish. Skewer some sugared cranberries on a cocktail pick to decorate any holiday beverage you may be serving.

How to Use the Leftover Simple Syrup

Don’t dump the simple syrup! It’s perfect for:

• Add to drinks. Use it for any holiday drinks that call for simple syrup.
• Soak cake. The leftover simple syrup can be used to moisten cakes.

How to Store Sugared Cranberries

Once the cranberries are completely dried and coated in sugar, gently transfer them from the wire rack to an airtight storage container. You can store them in a cool, dry place for up to 3 days. Do not freeze. Do not place in the refrigerator unless your house is hot and humid.

If the cranberries start looking moist, but are still firm, you can freshen them up by rolling them in a little more sugar. Unfortunately sugared cranberries will eventually start to weep, so aren’t good for use as household decor.

You can also simply just use them for making cranberry sauce if you no longer need them as sugared cranberries.

Ingredients for Sugared Cranberries

Water – Plain water, straight from the tap works. Any temperature is fine.

Sugar – You will want to use granulated sugar for making candied cranberries. Cane sugar is a substitute that will work, but avoid any other types of sugar.

Cranberries – You can also use frozen, thawed cranberries – although they won’t look nearly as beautiful as using fresh cranberries. Do not use dried sweetened cranberries. For best results stick with fresh cranberries that are firm, and not soft.

How to Make Sugared Cranberries

Yields: 10 servings | Prep time: 10 Minutes | Cook: 5 Minutes | Chill: 1 Hour

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided
• ½ cup water
• 3 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed and dried

Directions:

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and add a wire rack over the top of the parchment paper, set aside.

Add ½ cup of granulated sugar and water to a medium sized saucepan over medium high heat.

Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat. (Image 1)

Add cranberries to the sugar water mixture (Image 2)

Toss in the mixture for about one minute to evenly coat. (Image 3)

Transfer coated cranberries to your prepared wire rack. Allow to cool at room temperature for 1 hour. (Image 4)

Toss the cooled cranberries into the remaining granulated sugar. (Images 5 & 6)

Use as needed for a recipe, garnish, or store until ready to use. Enjoy!