Sweet & Festive Sugared Cranberries Recipe – Holiday Magic!

Festive sugared cranberries sparkle like winter jewels on your holiday table.

Sweet-tart berries coated in crystalline sugar create a stunning visual treat.

These delicate morsels blend sophisticated flavor with whimsical charm.

Seasonal gatherings deserve something special beyond typical dessert offerings.

Minimal ingredients and simple technique combine to produce an elegant garnish.

Home cooks can easily master this impressive confection with confidence.

One bite promises a delightful burst of festive magic that will enchant every guest.

Sugared Cranberries That Sparkle on Every Plate

• Minimal kitchen skills required, making this recipe perfect for novice cooks who want impressive results without complicated techniques.
• Transform plain cranberries into beautiful, glistening garnishes that elevate desserts, cocktails, and festive cheese boards with minimal effort.
• Create stunning, sweet-tart bites that work wonderfully as elegant appetizers, stunning party decorations, or delightful seasonal snacks that wow guests with minimal preparation time.

What You Need to Make Sugared Cranberries Pop

• Granulated Sugar: Creates the sweet syrup and coating for the cranberries, providing a delightful crystalline texture.
• Water: Essential liquid for dissolving sugar and creating the simple syrup base.

• Fresh Cranberries: Tart berries that transform into a sparkling sweet treat, best when plump and firm.

• Superfine Sugar: Provides a more delicate and elegant sugar coating with extra sparkle, perfect for a refined finish.

Quick Instructions for Sugared Cranberries That Look Gorgeous

Step 1: Whip Up Sweet Syrup

• Water
• Granulated sugar

In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Heat over medium temperature while stirring constantly until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and allow syrup to cool to room temperature.

Step 2: Bathe Cranberries in Sweetness

Pour cooled syrup over fresh cranberries in a medium bowl. Gently stir to ensure even coating. Let cranberries soak for 5-10 minutes, allowing them to absorb delightful sweetness.

Step 3: Roll in Glittery Sugar

Drain cranberries in a colander or sieve to remove excess liquid. Transfer to a bowl filled with granulated sugar. Toss gently to create a complete sugar coating. For an extra dazzling effect, use superfine sugar for a more delicate and shimmery finish.

Step 4: Dry and Crystallize

Spread sugared cranberries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow them to dry for 1-2 hours until the sugar coating hardens and creates a gorgeous, glittery appearance. The cranberries will transform into sparkling jewel-like treats perfect for garnishing desserts or enjoying as a festive snack.

Tricks to Keep Sugared Cranberries Crisp and Pretty

• Prep Syrup Perfectly: Create a smooth, clear simple syrup by stirring sugar and water constantly over medium heat, ensuring no sugar crystals remain for a silky texture.
• Optimize Cranberry Soaking: Allow cranberries to absorb syrup for 5-10 minutes, which helps the sugar coating stick better and adds a subtle sweetness to the fruit.
• Choose Sugar Wisely: Use superfine sugar for an elegant, delicate coating that creates a sparkling, professional-looking finish on your cranberries.
• Master Drying Technique: Spread cranberries in a single layer on parchment paper, giving each berry space to dry evenly and develop a beautiful crystallized appearance.
• Handle with Care: Use a gentle touch when coating and transferring cranberries to prevent bruising and maintain their fresh, plump texture.

Store Sugared Cranberries for Holiday Snacking or Decorating

• Store sugared cranberries in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, keeping them separated to prevent sticking. They'll stay fresh for up to 3 days when refrigerated.
• Place cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Frozen sugared cranberries can last up to 2 months.
• These cranberries are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Avoid microwaving, as heat will melt the sugar coating and reduce their sparkling appearance.
• Remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before serving to allow them to slightly warm and regain their delicate texture and sugary shimmer.

Foods and Drinks That Pair Well with Sugared Cranberries

• The tangy, sweet-tart sugared cranberries cut through the rich, smooth cheesecake, creating a delightful flavor contrast that dances on your palate.
• The effervescent bubbles and crisp notes of these sparkling wines perfectly balance the cranberries' sweetness, making them an elegant holiday appetizer or dessert garnish.
• Spread creamy brie on toasted crostini and top with sugared cranberries for a sophisticated appetizer that blends creamy, crunchy, and sweet-tart textures.
• Drop these sugared cranberries into a festive gin or vodka cocktail as a stunning, edible garnish that adds both visual appeal and a burst of bright flavor.

Variants of Sugared Cranberries to Try Next

• Holiday Spice Cranberries: Infuse the simple syrup with cinnamon sticks, star anise, or whole cloves for a warm, festive flavor that complements the sweet-tart cranberries.
• Maple Glazed Version: Replace granulated sugar with pure maple syrup in the coating process for a rich, natural sweetness that adds depth to the cranberries.
• Gluten-Free Sparkle Berries: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, using organic cane sugar and checking syrup ingredients for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Keto-Friendly Option: Swap regular sugar with a monk fruit or erythritol-based sweetener to create a low-carb version that maintains the same crispy, sugary exterior.

Sugared Cranberries Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 12 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Holiday Magic Cranberry Delight brings festive sparkle to winter gatherings with jewel-like cranberries glazed in sweet crystal sugar. Guests will crave these elegant, tangy-sweet gems that elevate dessert tables and cocktail presentations with pure seasonal charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 200 g (2 cups) fresh cranberries

Syrup Ingredients:

• 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 200 ml (1 cup) water

Coating Ingredients:

• 100 g (½ cup) superfine sugar or granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. Craft a luscious simple syrup by gently heating water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, creating a clear, sweet liquid base.
2. Carefully pour the cooled syrup over fresh, plump cranberries in a medium bowl. Tenderly stir to ensure each berry receives an even syrup coating, letting them luxuriate in the sweet bath for 5-10 minutes to absorb maximum flavor.
3. Drain the cranberries thoroughly in a colander, allowing excess syrup to drip away. Transition the berries into a bowl generously filled with granulated sugar, gently tumbling them to achieve a comprehensive, sparkling sugar encrustation.
4. Arrange the sugar-coated cranberries in a pristine, single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow them to air dry and crystallize, watching as they transform into glistening, jewel-like treats over 1-2 hours.
5. Once completely dry and sugar-crusted, transfer the sugared cranberries to a serving dish or store in an airtight container. These luminous gems can be enjoyed as a festive garnish, elegant snack, or decorative culinary accent.

Notes

• Adjust sugar coating by using alternative sweeteners like coconut sugar or monk fruit for low-sugar diets.
• Experiment with different spice infusions in the simple syrup, such as cinnamon stick or vanilla bean, to enhance flavor complexity.
• Pat cranberries completely dry before sugar coating to ensure maximum sugar adherence and a crisp, sparkling finish.
• Store sugared cranberries in a single layer between parchment paper in an airtight container to maintain their delicate sugar crystals and prevent clumping.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 hours
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 145
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 0.5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg