Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (2024)

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4.46

/5

1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

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By: Rachel GurkPosted: 11/19/2018

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Whether you call them sugared cranberries or candied cranberries, they’re the perfect sparkling garnish to nearly any holiday dish or co*cktail. They’re easy to make, too.

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: It’s a perfect duet: tangy cranberries and crunchy sugar. They are pretty irresistible.

How long it takes: 10 minutes, plus an hour to let them dry
Equipment you’ll need: small saucepan, wire rack
Servings: 12

Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (1)

Table of Contents close

  • 1 Recipe Overview
  • 2 How To Use Sugared Cranberries
  • 3 How To Make Sugared Cranberries
  • 4 FAQs
  • 5 Storage Tips
  • 6 Get the Recipe: Sugared Cranberries Recipe

Aren’t these sugared cranberries the prettiest things? Sugared cranberries are like little jewels for your food!

They go by different names: sugared cranberries, candied cranberries, or frosted cranberries. You can call ’em what you like but you’ll definitely want to try this easy little recipe.

Wanna know the best part? They’re super easy to make so they’re a great last minute addition to your holiday plans.

Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (2)

How To Use Sugared Cranberries

  • Add to appetizers. I love them as a garnish for that amazing baked brie I shared last week. They are the perfect sweet tart complement to the cranberry sauce and bourbon candied pecans. I’ve also had them on these festive sparkling cranberry brie bites, an easy holiday appetizer idea from Yummy Mummy Kitchen.
  • Garnish co*cktails. The cranberries also look stunning on a refreshing holiday co*cktail. Skewer a few cranberries on a pretty toothpick and balance it on the edge of a champagne glass. It’s so pretty!
  • Embellish charcuterie boards. I love adding sparkling sugared cranberries to my charcuterie platters. Not only are they are gorgeous, the tart cranberries really complement the rich creamy cheese.
  • Snack on them like candy. A bowlful of these candied cranberries will disappear in a hurry!
Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (3)

How To Make Sugared Cranberries

There are only three simple steps to making these sugared cranberries:

  1. Make a simple syrup of sugar and water.
  2. Coat the cranberries in the simple syrup and spread them onto a baking rack to dry for an hour.
  3. Roll the sticky cranberries in more sugar. And that’s it!

They’re so easy and so fun. The contrast of the tart cranberries isso sogood with the sugary coating. You are going to love these, and everyone will be so impressed by you!

Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (4)

FAQs

What can I do with sugared cranberries?

Garnish a cake or pie with the cranberries. They look gorgeous on a cheese platter or charcuterie board. Add them to a co*cktail or put them in candy bowls. They’reso pretty and really quite addicting.

Can I add flavor to candied cranberries?

Sure! For vanilla flavored cranberries, add scraped vanilla bean (the pulp of the bean) to the rolling sugar. For orange flavored cranberries, add finely grated orange zest to the rolling sugar.

Can you use frozen cranberries to make sugared cranberries?

Although I haven’t tested it, I did a little research and it looks like you can. Allow the frozen cranberries to partially defrost before adding them to the simple syrup. Soak them in the simple syrup for 10 minutes before removing them to dry.

Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Store the cranberries in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for a few days. If they start to “weep” a little, just give them another quick toss in sugar to freshen them up.

You can also re-use the simple syrup. Refrigerate it in a jar and use it to make co*cktails.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (5)

Recipe

Get the Recipe: Sugared Cranberries Recipe

4.46 from 91 votes

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Additional Time: 1 hour hr

Total Time: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

12 servings

Print Rate Recipe

Whether you call them sugared cranberries or candied cranberries, they're the perfect sparkling garnish to nearly any holiday dish or co*cktail. They're easy to make, too.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 bag (12 oz.) fresh cranberries

Instructions

  • Sort cranberries, discarding any soft or wrinkled berries. Rinse well and drain.

  • Combine ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Do not boil. Remove from heat.

  • Stir the cranberries into the simple syrup, and stir to coat well.

  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper. Set a wire rack inside the baking sheet. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cranberries to the wire rack. Let the cranberries dry for 1 hour.

  • After one hour of drying, roll cranberries in remaining sugar until completely coated.

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days (see note).

Notes

  • The cranberries may start to “weep” some liquid after 2 to 3 days. If that happens, re-roll them in sugar to extend their life.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1oz., Calories: 141kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 0.1g, Saturated Fat: 0.003g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 23mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 34g, Vitamin A: 17IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 3mg, Iron: 0.1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

  1. Carolann Carpentier says

    I am going to make these but I’d like to freeze them after they’re done. Has anyone done this? I think freezing in a layer on a sheet is best. Trying to stay a step ahead with food preparations. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      I’m not sure freezing these would work, but I haven’t tested it. Let me know if you give it a try!

      Reply

  2. Julie Moore says

    Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (13)
    My granddaughter loves these! I let them dry for an hour, then put them in a baggie with sugar and shook them to coat them. Very quick and easy.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      How fun! I’m so glad they were a hit!

      Reply

  3. Debbie says

    Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (14)
    Like a reverse warhead candy! They are so good in unsweetened seedy oatmeal (chia, pumpkin seeds)!!

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      Yes, exactly!

      Reply

  4. Colorado Cranberry Lover says

    Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (15)
    The 3 stars are due to the method, not the taste. Can I be the only one? When I let the cranberries dry off for only a half hour, they were so dry that the sugar would not stick. I had saved the syrup, so I put the cranberries back in the syrup, strained them and rolled them in sugar immediately. THEN, I let them dry for an hour to let the sugar harden. BTW – I checked a few other recipes and all are written as yours is ?? Is it because we have very low humidity here?

    They are delicious! Worth the extra effort.

    Another question: if the cranberries tend to weep after a day or so, why do you store them in an air tight container? Wouldn’t it make more sense to leave them in a bowl where they can breathe?

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      I find that if I roll them in sugar right away they are too wet and the sugar clumps. The only way it works for me is to let them dry for a bit. Sorry it didn’t work for you that way! We don’t have high humidity in the winter, so I’m not sure what could be causing the problems for you.

      Reply

  5. Charlene Yacovelli says

    SOOOO delicious! Like natural Sour Patch Kids – only reverse! (sour on the inside, sweet on the outside!)
    I am going to use them to decorate my pumpkin pie, along with some mint leaves.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      That’s such a perfect description of these! They’ll be beautiful on your pie! I’m making some to put on a cheeseboard.

      Reply

  6. :D says

    How do you eat them in a charcuterie board?

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      Once I have the larger items arranged (cheese, crackers, meat, etc), I like to sprinkle these around to fill in the holes and add a pop of color!

      Reply

  7. Brianna Storch says

    These were lovely and so easy to make! I am bringing little champagne orange-cranberry jello “shots” to a Friendsgiving and the sugared cranberries are the perfect addition to add on the top of each shot. I also like that I could make these while the jello firmed in my ridge and were ready to go once the jello was done!

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      That’s perfect! I’m glad you liked them!

      Reply

  8. armando says

    Thislooksgreat! Iwillprepareitformychildren……..Thanksforsharing

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      You’re welcome! I hope your children love these!

      Reply

  9. denise says

    pop them in some champagne.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      Yes! Such a fun and festive idea.

      Reply

Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to store sugared cranberries in the fridge? ›

Store them lightly covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a few days. If they start to look a little wet, toss them in a little more sugar. Do not freeze the sugared cranberries because, as they thaw, the sugar absorbs into the liquid.

How much sugar are cranberries? ›

Out of all fruits, cranberries have one of the lowest amounts of sugar. In every cup of cranberries, there is only 4g of sugar. This compares to raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries, which have 5, 7, and 7 grams of sugar per cup, respectively.

Will cranberries go bad if not refrigerated? ›

Refrigerator. Cranberries can be stored in the refrigerator up to three (3) months if they are kept in their original plastic packaging or in an airtight, sealed container. Left in the open air, at room temperature, cranberries quickly lose their freshness.

How long do cranberries stay fresh in the refrigerator? ›

Fresh cranberries are usually good stored in the refrigerator for two weeks. If kept longer, you will find a gradual deterioration of quality with more soft or bruised berries. Berries can be stored in the original packaging in the refrigerator crisper for up to four weeks.

Do cranberries raise blood sugar? ›

One study published in Food and Function found that adding whole cranberries to a high-fat meal may improve postprandial blood glucose levels (AKA how high your blood sugar get after a meal). A food like cranberry sauce is traditionally made with ingredients including real cranberries, sugar and spices.

Are cranberries good or bad for diabetics? ›

The United States Department of Agriculture reported that two glasses of cranberry juice per day could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This is due to the polyphenols contained in cranberries which protect cells from damage and disease.

Are cranberries good for kidneys? ›

4. Cranberries. Cranberries are low in potassium and high in vitamin C, making them another great choice for people with kidney disease. Cranberry juice has also been shown to help prevent urinary tract infections, which are typical for people with kidney disease.

Can dogs eat cranberries? ›

Both fresh and dried cranberries are safe to feed to dogs in small quantities. Whether your dog will like this tart treat is another question. Either way, moderation is important when feeding cranberries to dogs, as with any treat, as too many can lead to an upset stomach.

How long do homemade dried cranberries last? ›

Shelf Life and Storage Tips

When kept in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry, they can retain their peak quality for up to 12 months. This shelf life can extend considerably when the dried cranberries are properly sealed and stored away from heat and light sources that can degrade their quality.

What happens if you soak dried cranberries? ›

If you plan to cook or bake with dried fruit, soaking it first will keep it plump and moist. It also prevents the fruit from absorbing excess liquid from the recipe. It's a small step, but one that can make a real difference in the final quality of the dish.

Why should cranberries not be eaten raw? ›

Is it safe to eat cranberries raw? Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

Can you eat too many raw cranberries? ›

Safety and Side Effects. Cranberries and cranberry products are usually safe for most people if consumed in moderation. However, excessive consumption may cause stomach upset and diarrhea — and may also increase the risk of kidney stones in predisposed individuals.

How many cranberries should I eat a day? ›

HOW MUCH CRANBERRIES TO EAT DAILY? Studies confirming the health-promoting properties of cranberries have typically used doses of 100-300 g of fresh cranberries, equivalent to 7-10 g of dried cranberries, and 100-150 ml of 100% cranberry juice.

Do sweetened dried cranberries need to be refrigerated? ›

Craisins® Dried Cranberries should be tightly sealed in their original package and stored in a pantry or cupboard at room temperature or frozen for one year in a freezer bag.

How do you store sweetened dried cranberries? ›

The key to prolonging the shelf life of dried fruit is storing it in an airtight container. An airtight seal prevents moisture from getting inside and will keep bacteria at bay. After opening the package, putting the bag of dried fruit in the refrigerator or freezer will dramatically increase its shelf life.

Does cranberry jelly need to be refrigerated? ›

According to Ocean Spray, the brand behind one of the most popular canned cranberry sauces, both their jellied and whole berry varieties are fine to store in either the pantry or fridge (if you prefer to serve chilled) prior to opening.

How long does cranberry compote last in the fridge? ›

Cranberry & Dried Fruit Compote

Can be kept in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Serve chilled or warmed.

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