Description
Candied sugared cranberries are a sweet, tart, and sparkly holiday treat that’s perfect for desserts, drinks, and festive snacking. Made with just 3 ingredients, they’re easy to prepare and add a beautiful finishing touch to any holiday spread. Try this simple recipe and add some sparkle to your season!
Ingredients
Scale
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (divided)
1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Rinse and dry the cranberries. Make sure they are fully dry before proceeding.
- Make the simple syrup. In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves (about 3-4 minutes).
- Coat the cranberries. Add the dried cranberries to the syrup and stir gently to coat them. Remove the pan from heat and stir for another 30 seconds to ensure all cranberries are evenly coated.
- Let them dry. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cranberries onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a metal cooling rack. Spread them out evenly and let them dry for 1 hour. This step is crucial to get a tacky surface for the sugar to stick.
- Sugar the cranberries. Once the cranberries are slightly sticky but not wet, roll them in the remaining 1 cup of granulated sugar until they are fully coated.
- Let them set. Spread the sugared cranberries out on a clean tray or parchment paper and allow them to set completely before serving or storing.
Notes
Make sure cranberries are completely dry before adding to syrup.
Don’t leave cranberries in hot syrup too long, or they may burst.
Frozen cranberries work too—just thaw and dry well.
To refresh leftovers, roll again in a little sugar before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes + Time: 1 hour (drying time)
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 29g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Protein: 0g