Sugared Cranberries
Incredibly simple and easy 2-ingredient sparkling sugared cranberries – perfect for holiday snacking or dressing up desserts!
Happy Monday! Or shall I say happy eve of Christmas eve? Jason and I are scrambling here trying to get ourselves packed to go to LA for the holidays. We’re also packing presents for his family of 8, including 3 kids, so we have a ton of presents that need transport. At this point, with all the wrapping and gifting I’m doing here, I feel like Santa Claus.
So in my Santa Claus mood, I thought it would be best to share these sparkling sugared cranberries. They’re incredibly easy to make with just 2 ingredients, and they’re perfect for dressing up desserts! Not only that, these tart and sweet cranberries are so perfect for holiday snacking. I’m sure even Santa would love these by the tree!
Sugared Cranberries
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar, divided
- 1 12-ounce bag fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in cranberries until well coated. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to wire rack; let dry for at least 1 hour.
- Working in batches, roll cranberries in remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar until well coated; let dry for at least 1 hour.
Did you make this recipe?
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Looks very yummy
Should they be covered or uncovered for storage until the following day?
I recommend uncovered.
Can I make these a couple days in advance? Until I make my cake?
Yes, absolutely.
I let mine soak in the simple syrup over night after pricking them (a tip I read elsewhere). I removed a few and rolled in sugar, then tasted and they were very sour as if no sugar was on them. Has anyone else experienced this? What am I doing wrong?
I don’t think you did anything wrong, Amy. You may have just picked up a very bitter bag of cranberries!
Okay, that makes me feel better. Thank you! Is there a way to tell by looking at the berries if they are a “good” bag?
It’s more luck of the draw, unless you can sneak in a taste!
I rarely read intros when I search online for recipes, but since I loved your banner so much I felt compelled. I felt the need to make these and did a quick search online to find the right recipe. I too am making them on the eve of christmas eve while trying to pack for LA. What a coincidence! Anyways, love the site!
I’m confused (I’m not well-versed in the kitchen). When I’ve cooked cranberries for Thanksgiving, they pop. Is that just a matter of the time that they are on the stove?
Lisa, the cranberries are not cooked here. They are simply coated in the syrup.
Okay, these are gorgeous! What a fantastic recipe 🙂
Oh these look so beautiful! Perfect for Christmas. Absolutely tempting. Brilliant photography.
Great job on the pics. They make me want to reach through the monitor and just grab the cranberries.
Seriously girl…? These are gorgeous!!!
I love these! I let my cranberries sit in the syrup overnight. should store them uncoved. They last about a week. What did you all do with the syrup after you removed the cranberries?
I discarded the syrup but I’m sure you could use it in a cocktail!
I would think it would make a nice, tangy syrup for pancakes.
These cranberries are incredibly beautiful!!
I’m always the one that wraps and the hubs just sits there…no fair! I know how you feel. Good luck with transporting all those presents! Have a very Merry Christmas!
I can see these as a pile of dinner table centrepiece! So sparkly and pretty!
How long can you store the sugared cranberries? They look like healthy snack.
I would say a day or two in an airtight container.
These are gorgeous! The sugar on the outside make these cranberries sparkle! I thought this would be more involved than it is – I totally want to make a bowl of these now 🙂 they’d be gone in no time!
I first made these to decorate a cake because they are so pretty but quickly became totally addicted to them. I let mine cook for a minute before draining them and the end result is that wonderful crunchy outer layer combined with the soft insides of barely cooked cranberries. I could eat an entire bowlful in one sitting!
One thing to mention? Don’t refrigerate leftovers. Eat them all or keep them out until you…if they are refrigerated they will start to exude moisture and well, that is so not good for that crispy shell!
So pretty! These would make a great garnish!
So pretty and perfect for brightening up everything from drinks to desserts. Have a great Christmas Chung-Ah!
Love this Chung-Ah! Hope you have a fabulous Christmas!!! 🙂
So beautiful and festive! Perfect for the holidays!