Sparkling Sugared Cranberries Recipe for Holiday Snacking

Sweet and tart, these sparkling sugared cranberries dance with festive holiday magic.

Cranberry preservation through sugar coating creates a stunning seasonal treat that delights guests.

Winter gatherings come alive with these jewel-like morsels that shine on dessert tables.

Delicate crystals of sugar cling to plump, vibrant berries in a mesmerizing display of culinary artistry.

Each bite offers a perfect balance between bright tartness and sugary sweetness.

Professional pastry chefs and home bakers alike adore this simple yet elegant garnish.

Prepare to dazzle your loved ones with these irresistible crimson gems that elevate any dessert spread.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 hours

Total Time: 2 hours

Calories: 130 kcal

Servings: 7

Sweet And Simple Ingredients In Sugared Cranberries

• Granulated Sugar: Provides the sweet base that helps cranberries absorb a delightful sugary coating, choose pure white sugar for the clearest syrup.
• Water: Creates the liquid foundation for dissolving sugar and infusing cranberries with sweetness, use filtered water for best results.

• Superfine Sugar: Delivers a delicate, sparkling exterior that makes cranberries look like frosty jewels, also known as caster sugar for extra fine texture.
• Fresh Cranberries: Tart and vibrant berries that transform into sweet-tangy treats, select plump, firm berries without soft spots or blemishes.

• Wire Rack: Allows excess syrup to drip and helps cranberries dry evenly, stainless steel racks work best for this delicate process.
• Baking Sheet: Catches drips and provides a stable surface for drying cranberries, use a rimmed sheet to prevent any liquid spillage.

Basic Tools To Make Sugared Cranberries Fast

• Saucepan: Perfect for making smooth, even simple syrup without burning.
• Slotted spoon: Essential for gently lifting cranberries from syrup without excess liquid.
• Wire rack: Helps cranberries drain and dry evenly, preventing soggy bottoms.
• Baking sheet: Catches drips and provides stable surface for drying cranberries.
• Shallow dish: Ideal for coating cranberries with sugar evenly and thoroughly.
• Measuring cup: Ensures precise sugar and water proportions for perfect syrup.

Steps To Create Sugared Cranberries With Sparkle

• Sweet Syrup Preparation

Create a luscious syrup by heating water and sugar in a saucepan. Gently stir until the sugar melts completely, being careful not to let the mixture boil. Allow the syrup to cool down slightly, developing a smooth and glossy texture.

• Cranberry Soaking

Immerse the fresh cranberries into the warm syrup, ensuring each berry gets a luxurious coating. Let them bathe in the sweet liquid, allowing the berries to absorb the delightful flavor for several minutes.

• Drying Process

Transfer the syrup-coated cranberries onto a wire rack positioned over a baking sheet. Give them ample time to dry naturally, creating a slightly sticky surface that will help the sugar adhere perfectly.

• Sugar Coating

Gently roll the tacky cranberries in fine sugar, ensuring a complete and even coverage. The sugar will transform the berries into sparkling, crystalline treats that look like delicate winter jewels.

• Serving and Storage

Once the sugared cranberries are completely dry, they’re ready to be enjoyed. These beautiful morsels can be served immediately or carefully stored in an airtight container, maintaining their crisp, sweet exterior for a few days.

Clever Tips For Perfect Sugared Cranberries

• Sweet Preservation Trick: Pat the cranberries gently with paper towels after draining to remove excess syrup, ensuring a cleaner sugar coating and preventing clumping.
• Sugar Swap Magic: Replace granulated sugar with coconut sugar or maple sugar for a deeper, more complex sweetness that adds subtle flavor nuances to the cranberries.
• Dietary Flexibility: For a low-carb version, use monk fruit sweetener instead of traditional sugar, making these treats friendly for keto and diabetic diets while maintaining a beautiful crystalline finish.
• Flavor Boost Hack: Infuse the simple syrup with orange zest, cinnamon stick, or vanilla bean while heating to introduce delightful background notes that complement the cranberries' natural tartness.
• Festive Presentation Idea: Use these sparkling cranberries as stunning garnishes for holiday cocktails, cheese boards, dessert decorations, or as a elegant topping for winter salads, transforming a simple recipe into an impressive culinary accent.

Festive Ways To Serve Sugared Cranberries

• Holiday Dessert Topper: Sprinkle these sparkling cranberries over cheesecake, mousse, or ice cream for a festive and elegant touch.
• Winter Cocktail Garnish: Use these sugared cranberries to decorate martinis, champagne flutes, or festive holiday cocktails, adding a delightful pop of color and sweet-tart flavor.
• Charcuterie Board Accent: Arrange these jewel-like cranberries alongside soft cheeses, nuts, and cured meats to create a stunning and sophisticated appetizer presentation that guests will love.
• Gift-Worthy Treat: Package the sugared cranberries in small clear bags or decorative jars for a homemade holiday gift that looks impressive and tastes amazing.

How To Store Sugared Cranberries For Later Snacking

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Seal sugared cranberries in an airtight glass container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keeps fresh for 2-3 days when stored in cool, dry refrigerator sections.
• Festive Display Ideas: Arrange beautifully on holiday cheese boards, sprinkle over winter salads, or use as sparkling garnishes for cocktails and desserts. Adds elegant, sweet-tart crunch to multiple dishes.
• Temperature Handling Tips: Keep away from direct sunlight and warm spaces. Room temperature works best for short-term storage, maintaining crisp sugar coating and preventing moisture buildup.
• Moisture Prevention Technique: Use silica gel packets inside storage containers to absorb excess humidity. Helps maintain cranberries' delicate sugar crystals and prevents potential clumping or softening.

Sweet Cranberries Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Glittering sugar-coated cranberries make this simple holiday treat irresistible. Quick preparation and elegant presentation ensure these sparkling gems will delight guests at winter gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (200 g) fresh cranberries
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar (for syrup)
• 1 cup (200 ml) water
• ½ cup (100 g) superfine sugar or granulated sugar (for coating)

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Instructions

1. Syrup Creation: Dissolve granulated sugar in water over gentle heat, stirring until smooth and uniform. Remove from heat before boiling and allow to cool slightly, creating a sweet liquid foundation.
2. Berry Infusion: Immerse fresh cranberries completely in the warm syrup, ensuring thorough coating. Let berries soak for 5-10 minutes to absorb the sugary essence, developing a glossy exterior.
3. Drying Process: Transfer syrup-coated cranberries onto a wire rack positioned over a baking sheet using a slotted spoon. Allow berries to air-dry, developing a slightly sticky surface for approximately 1-2 hours or overnight.
4. Sugar Crystallization: Pour superfine sugar into a shallow dish. Roll each sticky cranberry through the sugar, achieving a comprehensive and even crystalline coating that transforms the fruit into sparkling, jewel-like confections.
5. Final Preparation: Place sugar-encrusted cranberries back on the wire rack, allowing them to set for an additional hour. This step solidifies the glistening sugar shell, creating elegant garnishes that can be served immediately or stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days at room temperature.

Notes

• Syrup Consistency Matters: Avoid boiling the sugar syrup to prevent crystallization, which can make the coating grainy and uneven.
• Gentle Berry Handling: Use a soft, slotted spoon when transferring cranberries to prevent bruising or damaging their delicate skin.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll cranberries in superfine sugar while they’re still slightly sticky to ensure a perfect, even crystal coverage.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep sugared cranberries in a single layer to maintain their crisp sugar shell and prevent clumping or moisture buildup.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 0.5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg