Candied Cranberries (Easy Sugared Cranberries)
Nov 03, 2023, Updated Nov 13, 2023
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Learn how to make candied cranberries with just 3 ingredients. Sugared cranberries can be used as a beautiful garnish to drinks and cheeseboards. They also are wonderful to add a little glisten to holiday desserts.
Candied cranberries are very easy to make. Fresh cranberries are coated in a simple syrup and then rolled in sugar.
They add festive flare to holiday dishes, drinks, or just as a fun snack. I love using them to garnish this easy holiday mocktail, mimosas, on top of cakes, melted brie, and more.
How to make candied cranberries
Step one: Rinse and dry the cranberries. Pour 1/2 cup of sugar and water into a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Let simmer for 3-4 minutes or until sugar dissolves.
Step two: Pour the clean, dried cranberries into the pot and stir to coat the cranberries. Remove from the heat and stir for another 30 seconds to make sure the cranberries are completely coated.
Step three: Using a slotted spoon, remove the cranberries from the pot and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a metal cooling rack to dry for 1 hour. Make sure to spread them out into a single layer to dry.
Step four: Toss the cranberries in the remaining sugar until coated.
Recipe tips
- Make sure to rinse and then completely dry the cranberries before adding them into the simple syrup.
- Don’t let the cranberries sit in the hot simple syrup too long. It’s important to coat them but also to get them out before they burst.
- You can use frozen cranberries, just make sure to thaw and dry them.
- Use any leftover cranberries to make cranberry sauce.
How to store
Store: Store leftover cranberries in sugar in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Yes, these sugared cranberries can be eaten. They are tart and sweet and can be eaten alone or served with
Try saving the simple syrup to add into drinks like cranberry moscow mule, lemonade, and more.
How will you be using these sugared cranberries?
More holiday desserts
Candied Cranberries Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 12 ounce bag of cranberries
Instructions
- Rinse and dry the cranberries. Pour 1/2 cup of sugar and water into a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 3-4 minutes or until sugar dissolves.
- Pour the clean, dried cranberries into the pot and stir to coat the cranberries. Remove from the heat and stir for another 30 seconds to make sure the cranberries are completely coated.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the cranberries from the pot and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a metal cooling rack to dry for 1 hour.
- Toss the cranberries in the remaining sugar until coated.
Video
Notes
- Make sure to rinse and then completely dry the cranberries before adding them into the simple syrup.
- Don’t let the cranberries sit in the hot simple syrup too long. It’s important to coat them but also to get them out before they burst.
- You can use frozen cranberries, just make sure to thaw and dry them.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
