How to Make Sugared Cranberries

It's that time of year to get in the kitchen and bake up some delicious holiday desserts! Here is a festive way to make any Thanksgiving or Christmas dish sparkle!

These Sugared Cranberries are sweet, tangy, and perfect for decorating pies, cakes, turkeys, cocktails, or any holiday drink. They also make a fun snack for kids while they wait for family to arrive and the big feast to be prepared.

This easy recipe is made with simple ingredients: water, sugar, and cranberries. First, you make a simple syrup consisting of water and sugar to soak the cranberries in. Then, you roll the cranberries in more sugar to coat them completely, and...voilà! - Candied Cranberries!

I love to use sugared cranberries to decorate my Homemade Pumpkin Pie and Juicy Baked Turkey! The pop of color always makes them the star of the show!

Ingredients in this Recipe

This recipe uses 2 simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. (For measurements, please scroll down to the recipe card below.)

• Granulated Sugar - Used for making a simple syrup to soak the cranberries in and then used to roll them in.
• Fresh Cranberries - Make sure you buy fresh and not frozen.

Instructions

Start by rinsing and drying the fresh cranberries.

Add water and ½ cup sugar to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Frequently stirring, heat just until about to boil and sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.

Gently stir in cranberries and let them soak in the sugar syrup for 1 hour at room temperature.

Place a metal cooling rack on top of a lined baking sheet. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove cranberries and place onto the cooling rack. Allow to sit for 30 minutes until mostly dry but still sticky.

Pour 1 cup of sugar into a medium bowl. Working in small batches, roll cranberries in the sugar until all sides are coated and then place them back on the metal rack to dry for 1 hour.

Serve and enjoy!

Storage

Store sugared cranberries in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. If they start to weep or look wet, simply roll them in more sugar to freshen them up.

Other Holiday Recipes You'll Love!

• Homemade Pumpkin Pie
• Easy Christmas Punch
• Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
• Southern Chicken and Dressing
• Juicy Baked Turkey
• Gingerbread Man Cookies
• Instant Pot Red Chili Pork Tamales
• Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

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Sugared Cranberries

By: Christi

Whether you call them Sugared Cranberries or Candied Cranberries, this festive garnish will make any Thanksgiving or Christmas dish sparkle! With only 2 ingredients, this recipe is so easy to make and is perfect for decorating holiday desserts, cocktails, or simply eaten as a sweet snack.

5 from 6 votes

Print Rate Pin

Prep Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 35 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 3 cups

Calories 67 kcal

Recommended Equipment

• 3-Quart Saucepan
• Metal Cooling Rack

Ingredients

  

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• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (divided)
• ½ cup water
• 1 (12 ounce) bag fresh cranberries (rinsed and dried)

Instructions

 

• Add water and ½ cup sugar to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Frequently stirring, heat just until about to boil and sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
• Gently stir in cranberries and let them soak in the sugar syrup for 1 hour at room temperature.
• Place a metal cooling rack on top of a lined baking sheet. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove cranberries and place onto the cooling rack. Allow to sit for 30 minutes until mostly dry but still sticky.
• Pour 1 cup of sugar into a medium bowl. Working in small batches, roll cranberries in the sugar until all sides are coated and then place them back on the metal rack to dry for 1 hour.
• Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Storage

Store sugared cranberries in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. If they start to weep and look wet, simply roll in more sugar to freshen them up.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25 cup | Calories: 67 kcal

*Nutritional facts are calculated by third party sources and are not always accurate. If you are on a special diet, we highly recommend you calculate these values personally.

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