Festive Sugared Cranberries. Bursting w/flavor that pops in your mouth. Sweet & tart. Tangy & addictive. Perfect cheesecake garnish, snack, stocking stuffer or gift. Pretty and delicious on the cheese tray.
Hope all’s well and you’re experiencing the joys and festivities of the season. At our house we are through all the Christmas recitals, class parties and holiday baking, though I am making another big batch of these yummy sugared cranberries this afternoon.
Just finished up the last of the online Christmas shopping too, phew, but grateful so much is done! The Christmas tree is up and the house decorated. Wahoo!!!
The new furnace is also installed, as of minutes ago. Merry Christmas to me, right? Not kidding! Our furnace died last week and it’s been very chilly around here… I’m glad we’ll have heat on Christmas and I’m sure our Christmas day guests will agree!
We often enjoy seeing A Christmas Carol live on-stage at our little historic theater in downtown Manchester. It’s such a beautiful venue for the production that is always excellent. There’s something nostalgic about an old-fashioned Christmas complete with traditional carols and swirling snow that really gets me in the Christmas spirit.
Sugared fruits and candied nuts are old-fashioned holiday treats that also remind me of Christmases past. Today I’m sharing a quick recipe for Festive Sugared Cranberries. Sugared cranberries are a delicious treat bursting with sweet and tangy flavor that actually pops in your mouth.
Fresh cranberries are steeped in hot sugary syrup, then rolled in superfine sugar. They beautifully garnish a cheese tray, drink, ice cream or cheesecake. They’re also the perfect little last minute stocking stuffer or hostess gift. Sweet and tart. Tangy and addictive.
Sugared Cranberries are all that rolled into one red sparkling jewel of a sugared cranberry. Bet you can’t eat just one.
Steep cranberries in hot simple syrup, then marinate in the refrigerator for eight hours.
Roll cranberries in granulated sugar or superfine sugar. Sugared Cranberries are a sweet treat to hoard or give, your decision! Store in a semi-airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Tips to make Festive Sugared Cranberries:
- Don’t heat the simple syrup too high. It should be barely simmering.
- Test to see if it’s too hot by dropping a few test cranberries in. If it’s too hot, the cranberry skin will pop. You don’t want the skin to pop, you want the juice to stay sealed up in the cranberry.
- Use white granulated sugar to roll the cranberries in, or make super fine sugar by pulsing white granulated sugar in your food processor for a few seconds.
- Sugared cranberries can get soggy as the cranberry naturally “sweats”. So store in a semi-airtight container. Like a tupperware container with the lid cracked open a bit for airflow.
Festive Sugared Cranberries
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 cups washed and sorted fresh cranberries
- 3/4 cup superfine sugar
Instructions
Cranberries in Simple Syrup
- In a small sauce pot, mix sugar and water together.
- Stir over low heat on the stove top, until barely simmering.
- Remove from heat.
- Test by dropping in a cranberry or two. (If it pops, it's too hot.)
- Add remaining cranberries and stir.
- Transfer to a covered plastic container and refrigerate about eight hours.
- Drain cranberries in a colander, reserving simple syrup for another use.
Superfine Granulated Sugar
- Make superfine granulated sugar by placing sugar in blender or food processor and pulsing several times.
- Place superfine sugar on baking sheet or shallow baking pan.
Assembly
- Roll cranberries in 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: Sugared Pecans
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
This year I am going to make a honest effort to decorate the house! I didn’t do anything last year, so I’m thinking I MUST spread the cheer this year, right? Anyways, sugared cranberries are an essential part of the holidays if you ask me! They are just so festive, fun and absolutely delicious!! These look perfect, Allie!!! Cheers, girl – to a wonderful week! xo
Tina Sneed says
I made these last week! It’s all I can do to keep from eating them all!
Allie says
I know, I love these treats Tina!!! Too much! xo
Eva says
J’adore ton idée pour offrir à Noël. Ici, on peut pas trouver les cranberrys frais c’est dommage! Je te souhaite un merveilleux moi de Décembre ma chère Allie. xoxoxo
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Allie, you must be elated that Jonathan is coming home! Lil Shashi isn’t at college yet, but just last night we were talking about what things would be like next year – I know (even if she attends GSU or UGA) I will be thrilled come this time of the year, next year!
And, lady, am in awe of you! You have 4 boys and still manage to get so much done! I’m so behind – wanna know a funny thing, we got a tree last Saturday and it’s sitting in its stand totally undecorated still! The goal is to get er done this weekend – fingers and toes crossed! 🙂
By the way, gosh these Festive Sugared Cranberries are GORGEOUS! What a lovely gift to get …and as hard as it might be for me to do – to give, too! Happy Thursday to ya – I’m so glad we are almost at The Weekend! Hope it’s a wonderful one for you and your family! xoxo
Allie says
I am excited Shashi! How could you tell? 🙂 We got our tree finally, and as of last night it is now decorated. Hope you are having a wonderful week my friend! XO
Marye says
These are gorgeous! They need to be on my Christmas table!
Aunt Pinkie says
They look gorgeous and what a yummy idea!
Allie says
Thank you Aunt Pinkie!
Denise Q. says
Allie, you know what we’re all thinking don’t ya? Where is the order form? Haha. I’m telling you, you could start a business with your delicious and beautiful recipes. I’m going to make one of them, either the Festive Sugared Cranberries, Sugared Pecans, Peppermint Bark, or the Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies. If I could only decide, they are all so amazing.
Allie says
Too funny Denise – I may have to start mail order. Because I don’t have enough to do now. HA HA. Can’t wait to hear what you make. I’m thinking of making these sugared cranberries for the Christmas coffee on Saturday. They really are quick to make and add festive flair to the table. 🙂
Caroline says
Oh, I loooove the idea! They are so pretty and I bet they taste amazing! I love sweet and tart things so much! Can’t wait to make them.
rosemary merrill says
what do you consider a SEMI-AIRTIGHT container?
Allie says
Hi Rosemary – what I do is put them in a Tupperware container and leave the lid cracked significantly – if it is airtight the sugar gets soggy and slides off the berries. Thanks for dropping by and happy baking!
Susie Mandel says
Yum and beautiful!
Allie says
Thanks Susie!
cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
Love these! I make them every year for the holidays! They’re so festive and easy too! I love how the color makes everything pop. They’re the perfect filler for a holiday gift basket.
Kathy says
YUM!! I can’t wait to make these…. Thanks, Allie!!!
Maria says
This snack is addicting! Can’t wait to make it again for my fam this Christmas!
puja says
Hey Allie, just like you I also love the traditional way of celebrating festivals. BTW Sugared cranberries are just awesome. What a lovely gift idea for this Christmas… 🙂
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
I’d like this better than candy any time of the year that I can get my hands on some fresh cranberries! And so pretty!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
You must be pretty excited that Jonathan is coming home, Allie. And these sugared cranberries are so festive, fun and pretty. Can’t wait to try them. Have a lovely week my friend. 🙂
Allie says
How could you tell, Anu? Ha ha. It’s amazing what a hole he leaves not being here. Counting down the days ’til he gets back…nine days and today….:)
Liz says
Our tree went up today! I can’t wait for my youngest to be home for a few weeks, too. So much fun having a full house again. I’ve only sugared cranberries for a garnish, but I’m loving how you steep these first. Gorgeous results!!!
Allie says
Hey thanks Liz – our tree is up too, as of about a half hour ago. YAY! Decorating it tomorrow. So looking forward to celebrating the Christmas season. I’m hosting a Christmas Coffee for the women at church next Saturday a.m. and I’ll def. be making some of these sugared cranberries for the table! Merry Christmas, enjoy the time with your family!
Carina says
How exciting that your son will be home for the holidays, soon. Sounds like you’ve got some lovely plans! We got our big snowfall this week, so I guess now it’s time to get in the Christmas spirit! Cranberries are so good for you, and I think thatsugaring them must be the best way to enjoy them! Take care! ☃️?⭐️
Suzanne K says
Trying this recipe and have my cranberries soaking. I’m wondering if the simple syrup will have a cranberry flavor and could be used for a Holiday cocktail? Or what other uses have you found for it?
Allie says
Yes you can def. use it – I have used it as a simple syrup in cocktails and added to seltzer with a slice of lime. You could also brush it on cake layers before frosting (bakeries do this – keeps them very moist!) or pour over bread or pound cake as a glaze of sorts… Happy Thanksgiving and happy baking!
Sue says
I just baked cranberry orange bread for my mom. She loved it and mentioned that she can’t get enough of cranberries-so this recipe is very timely!! I’ll let
you know how they turn out, and really appreciate the tip on keeping the heat low enough so the berries don’t pop.
Thanks for such a yummy, elegant and simple recipe!
Allie says
Cranberry orange bread sounds delicious, your lucky mom. I’ll be right over…:)