Festive Lime Sugared Cranberries. The best combination of tart and sweet. Pops in your mouth! Pretty on the cheese tray and cheesecake. These sparkly gems are an easy new tradition that will make your holidays extra delicious!
Can’t wait to share my latest recipe inspiration today: Lime Sugared Cranberries. But first things first. Let’s chat. So Christmas is nearly here. And in case you didn’t know, I absolutely LOVE Christmas.
It’s by far my favorite holiday of the year. I love the anticipation, the getting ready. Like a little kid. (Me.) Love the jingle bells in the air. The frosty breath outside, frosted window panes.
The sheer delight on my children’s faces as I complete the millionth batch of Peppermint Bark for the season. I’ve always loved spending time making handmade treats and gifts for those I love.
There’s magic that happens while working with my hands, thinking about family and friends enjoying my little labor of love. I think it’s the contagious spirit of giving that brings joy.
So I’ve already been putting Christmas baskets together. If you follow the blog you know I love saving a peso. So these aren’t really gifts baskets per se, but re-purposed clementine crates I save all year long. This year I’m adding a new treat to the Christmas crates: Lime Sugared Cranberries.
Have you ever tasted a sugared cranberry before? I hadn’t until this year. Sugared cranberries are a festive holiday treat, easily made by marinating fresh cranberries in hot simple syrup, then rolling in superfine granulated sugar. Here’s my favorite Sugared Cranberry recipe.
I thought sugared cranberries might taste too tart, but the cranberries actually absorb the sugary simple syrup, and soften ever so slightly. They literally “pop” in your mouth: simultaneously sweet and mouth-puckeringly tart.
Think lemonade or lemon curd. It’s the sweet and tart together that’s so mouthwateringly addictive.
So here’s my new twist. Roll the cranberries in lime sugar instead of regular. Adds a little more flavor. I’ve always loved lime and cranberry flavors together, so thought the Lime Sugared Cranberries might be pretty (and tasty) for the holiday season.
Well guess what. I was right. These babies are beautiful and festive, sparkling red and green gems for the holiday table.
Lime Sugar is easily made by baking lime zest in the oven at low heat, then mixing with super fine sugar.
Lime Sugared Cranberries are perfect for snacking or adding to a gift basket. Garnishing a cheesecake, ice-cream or a holiday drink. Even dressing up a cheese board or appetizer tray. I can think of so many fun uses for these gourmet treats and I can’t wait to hear how you enjoy them too.
Lime Sugared Cranberries
Ingredients
Cranberries
- 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 cups washed and sorted fresh cranberries
Lime Sugar
- 1 cup super fine granulated sugar
- zest from 3 limes
Instructions
Cranberries
- In a small sauce pot, mix sugar and water together.
- Stir over low heat on the stove top 'til barely simmering.
- Remove from heat.
- Test by dropping in a cranberry or two. (If the cranberry pops open, it's still too hot.)
- Add remaining cranberries and stir.
- Transfer to a covered plastic container and refrigerate about eight hours.
- Drain cranberries in a colander, reserving the simple syrup for another use.
- Roll in lime sugar.
Lime Sugar
- Spread lime zest on baking sheet.
- Bake at 100 degrees for ten minutes.
- Make superfine granulated sugar by placing sugar in blender or food processor and pulsing once or twice.
- (Go slowly, the more you pulse the finer it becomes.)
- Mix cooled lime zest and sugar together.
- Store in an airtight container.
- The lime sugar flavor intensifies the longer it sits.
- (A couple days, or even a week, is nice before you roll the cranberries in it.)
Assembly
- Place lime sugar on baking sheet or in shallow baking pan.
- Roll cranberries in lime sugar to coat.
- Let dry on a baking sheet at room temperature for about an hour.
- Store in a semi-airtight container in a cool place for up to a week.
Notes
You may also like: Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
These are gorgeous…almost too pretty to eat! Although I would have no problem eating them! I can think of so many things to do with them…I so wish I wasn’t running out of time…I want to try these!
Carina says
They look so festive – just perfect for Christmas – and sound like a delight to eat. People must get so excited when they see you coming with your basket (crate) creations! Take care. 🙂
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
Allie, I just made some sugared cranberries for a recipe I am making–why didn’t I think of lime?! PERFECTION!!
Gaila says
Allie! your baskets sound like something I would like to get for Xmas! and these cranberries are something that I would love to try! well done!
lindsay Cotter says
i love how resourceful you are! and of course, this recipe. Tart and sweet and so perfect!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Already putting Christmas baskets together?! Feel free to come organise mine for me 🙂
These sugared cranberries will totally be my new energy boost to….make Christmas baskets!
Catherine says
Dear Allie, I am especially excited for Christmas this year…it is one of my favorite holidays as well, but this year it holds more meaning. I have enjoyed all your holidays posts dear and all your wonderful recipes and treats. These cranberries are beautiful. I love the idea of rolling them in lime sugar…that is a fabulous idea. I must try this next time. xo, Catherine
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek says
You’ve convinced me. I’ll have to give these a try.
Continue to enjoy this special time of year.
Hugs,
Karen
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Allie – these lime sugared cranberries are gorgeous – and not to mention BRILLIANT! I love the idea of using these on a cheesecake – or in my case, a cheese-less cake! 🙂
Also, love those reclaimed crates being used as gift baskets – you are a genius at this gift basket thing. The people on the receiving end of your labors of love are so incredibly fortunate!
Hope your week is off to a wonderful start! xoxo
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
Wow! These are so pretty! They’d look great on a dessert platter!
Denise says
I had the pleasure of eating some of these and may I say, absolutely addicting! Yummo! I can’t wait to make some for Christmas.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
All of your DIY food gift ideas have been amazing, Allie and these cranberries are no exception!! Love that you added some lime in here! I’ve had sugared cranberries before and they are delish, but I am willing to bet that lime addition really makes these something special! LOVE that gift basket you put together, too! Cheers, my sweets! XO
Tracy says
These are sooo tasty! I couldn’t believe it! They are so pretty I thought they were fake. This recipe is a treasure for sure!
Olivia @ livforcake says
Love how easy these are to make! Such a pretty garnish.
Mel says
These little treats look absolutely delicious. I love cranberries! Those clementine crates are perfect for your Christmas hampers. Your loved ones are so lucky to be getting such a lovely present.
Mandi Korn says
I am so glad that you posted this, I have been trying to figure out what to do with cranberries, since they are in season and a selection on my weekly Produce Box order. If I try them I will take some pics and share:o)
Eva says
Tes photos sont sublimes ! moi aussi j’adore Noël et tes recettes donnent vraiment envie !! On est déjà très prés et mon fils conte les jours!! xoxo
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
Oh my goodness I KNOW my best friend would love love love this recipe. I’m definitely making it the next time she visits!! Thanks for sharing!
Heather McCurdy says
Oh, I HAVE to try these cranberries! I have a maple sugared cranberry recipe I posted this year but the addition of lime to these? Sounds so yummy.
Joanne | No Plate Like Home says
These look great. I’m sure they taste great too. I just love the festive, appealing look of sugared cranberries and now I know how to make them. They would be a great topping for a cheesecake or trifle.
Louise Achor says
They look great!
Luci's Morsels says
What a beautiful holiday treat! These sound delicious and the sugar crystals on the outside make for a perfectly festive look!
Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
puja says
Wow, what a lovely recipe. It looks pretty good Allie. I really liked the sweet and sour taste of it, Thanks for sharing this recipe, dear. Happy weekend!
brigitte says
Ces canneberges sucrées sont irrésistibles Allies,aussi beau que bon,belles fêtes de fin d’année,bisous!
gmail login says
So beautiful! They’d look great on a dessert platter! Great!
Serene says
These would be so pretty in a gift basket! But it says store in a cool place….does that mean in the refrigerator? Or are they fine at room temperature?
Allie says
Hi Serene – I’ve done both. I feel like in the refrigerator the sugar tends to get mushy and liquefy, instead of staying crunchy, which is how I like it. So my suggestion is if you are using in gift baskets to make these the day of or the day before, and then keep in a cool place at room temperature. I have used these in gift baskets many times and they were a big hit. They are so easy to make, just a little time consuming. Definitely worth it in my opinion. Hope you enjoy!