Sparkling Sugared Cranberries Recipe: A Sweet Holiday Gem

Sweet holiday magic happens when sugared cranberries sparkle on your festive table, turning ordinary desserts into spectacular centerpieces.

Delicate crimson gems coated in crystalline sugar create a stunning visual treat that catches every guest’s eye.

Winter gatherings deserve something special and unexpectedly beautiful.

Tart berries get a magical makeover through a simple syrup bath and generous sugar coating.

Each tiny jewel delivers a bright burst of flavor that dances between sweet and tangy.

Simple ingredients and minimal effort result in an impressive garnish that looks like you spent hours crafting.

Prepare to dazzle everyone with these elegant, showstopping little treasures that elevate any dessert from ordinary to extraordinary.

Why Sugared Cranberries Make Every Dish Sparkle

• Transform Holiday Treats: Create a stunning, sparkling garnish that elevates any dessert with minimal culinary skills required.
• Versatile Festive Delight: Perfect for decorating cakes, cocktails, cheese boards, or enjoying as a standalone sweet-tart snack that impresses guests.
• Quick Gourmet Touch: Prepare a sophisticated treat with just three simple ingredients, delivering restaurant-quality presentation without complex techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Decoration: Craft a visually stunning addition to holiday tables that adds a burst of color and unexpected crunch to traditional spreads.

Ingredients Needed For Sugared Cranberries

• Cranberries: Fresh berries that provide the base for this sweet and tangy holiday treat.
• White Sugar: The primary sweetener that creates a glossy coating and candied texture.
• Superfine Sugar: A fine-textured sugar that provides a smooth, sparkling exterior to the cranberries.

• Water: The liquid used to dissolve white sugar and create a simple syrup for coating the cranberries.

• Paper Towels, Wire Rack, Slotted Spoon, Parchment Paper, Saucepan: Essential tools for preparing, coating, and storing the sugared cranberries.

How To Make Sugared Cranberries Quickly

Step 1: Prepare Cranberries

Thoroughly rinse fresh cranberries under cool water. Gently pat each berry dry using paper towels, ensuring no water droplets remain. The goal is completely dry berries that will beautifully absorb the sweet coating.

Step 2: Create Sweet Syrup

• White sugar
• Water

Heat the mixture over medium flame, stirring continuously until sugar completely dissolves. The liquid should become clear and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool for 10-15 minutes until just warm.

Step 3: Soak Cranberries

Carefully submerge cranberries into the warm syrup, ensuring each berry gets an even, glossy coating. Allow berries to soak at room temperature for one full hour, letting them absorb the sweet liquid.

Step 4: Drain Berries

Use a slotted spoon to gently lift cranberries from the syrup. Transfer them onto a wire rack, letting excess liquid drip away for 5-10 minutes. This prevents clumping and ensures a perfect sugar coating.

Step 5: Sugar Coating

Roll each syrup-coated cranberry in superfine sugar, rotating to achieve complete and uniform coverage. Every berry should be completely encased in a sparkling sugar layer.

Step 6: Set and Chill

Arrange sugared cranberries on a parchment-lined baking sheet, keeping them separated to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for at least one hour, allowing the sugar to crystallize and create a crisp exterior.

Step 7: Serve and Store

Present chilled cranberries as a festive garnish, sweet snack, or elegant dessert topping. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, maintaining their delightful crunch and sweetness.

Tips For Beautiful Sugared Cranberries

• Rinse Thoroughly: Pat cranberries completely dry to prevent water diluting the sugar coating and ensure maximum sugar adherence.
• Choose Fine Sugar: Use superfine or baker's sugar for a smoother, more delicate crystalline coating that sticks evenly to berries.
• Control Syrup Temperature: Let simple syrup cool to warm (not hot) before adding cranberries to prevent berry breakdown and maintain their firm texture.
• Quick Drying Technique: Allow excess syrup to drip on a wire rack before rolling in sugar to create a light, crisp sugar shell that won't clump.
• Chill for Crunch: Refrigerate sugared cranberries for at least an hour to develop a satisfying crackly exterior and enhance their sweet-tart flavor profile.

Creative Ways To Use Sugared Cranberries

• Spiced Cranberry Crunch: Blend cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger into the sugar coating for a warm, aromatic holiday flavor profile.
• Maple Glazed Berries: Replace simple syrup with pure maple syrup for a rich, caramel-like sweetness and deeper golden coating.
• Citrus Zest Sparkle: Mix orange or lemon zest into the superfine sugar before rolling cranberries for bright, tangy undertones.
• Dark Chocolate Drizzle: After sugaring, partially dip chilled cranberries in melted dark chocolate for an elegant, decadent upgrade.

Perfect Pairings With Sugared Cranberries

• Pair with Creamy Cheesecake: The tangy, sweet-tart sugared cranberries provide a bright contrast to the rich, smooth texture of classic cheesecake, creating a delightful flavor balance.
• Complement with Sparkling Prosecco: The effervescent bubbles and light sweetness of prosecco beautifully highlight the cranberries' crisp sugar coating and vibrant tartness.
• Serve alongside Brie Cheese Platter: The sugared cranberries add a festive pop of color and zesty flavor that cuts through the creamy, buttery richness of soft brie cheese.
• Match with Vanilla Custard: The delicate sweetness of vanilla custard perfectly embraces the cranberries' sugary crunch and intense berry flavor, creating a harmonious dessert experience.

How To Keep Sugared Cranberries Fresh

• Transfer sugared cranberries to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to preserve their crisp texture and prevent moisture absorption.
• Place parchment paper between layers of cranberries to prevent sticking and maintain individual sugar coating integrity.
• Keep the container in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to maintain optimal freshness and prevent sugar crystallization.
• Consume within 3-4 days for best quality, checking for any signs of moisture or softening that might compromise the cranberries' delightful crunch.

Sugared Cranberries Questions Answered

• Are sugared cranberries healthy?

Despite being a sweet treat, cranberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, providing some nutritional benefits while being a low-calorie garnish.

• Can I use other types of sugar?

Superfine or granulated white sugar works best for creating the crisp, sparkling coating. Brown sugar might make the cranberries too dark and sticky.

• Why do I need to soak cranberries in simple syrup?

The syrup helps the sugar adhere better to the cranberries and softens their natural tartness, creating a sweet and glossy exterior.

• How can I prevent cranberries from getting mushy?

Pat the cranberries completely dry before coating, use room temperature syrup, and avoid over-soaking to maintain their firm texture.

Sugared Cranberries Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 5-24 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sparkling Sugared Cranberries bring winter magic to dessert tables with festive crimson jewels that glisten like sweet treasures. Delicate cranberries coated in crystalline sugar offer a delightful balance of tart and sweet, perfect for holiday gatherings or elegant winter garnishes.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water

Coating:

• 1 cup superfine sugar (or additional granulated sugar)

Syrup:

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup water

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Rinse cranberries thoroughly and pat them completely dry using paper towels, ensuring no excess moisture remains.
2. Create a simple syrup by combining white sugar and water in a saucepan, heating over medium flame until sugar fully dissolves, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Remove syrup from heat and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes until slightly warm but not hot.
4. Gently immerse cranberries into the warm syrup, ensuring each berry is evenly coated, and let them soak for 1 hour at room temperature.
5. Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer cranberries from syrup onto a wire rack, allowing excess liquid to drip off for about 5-10 minutes.
6. Roll each syrup-coated cranberry in superfine sugar, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
7. Place sugared cranberries on a clean parchment-lined baking sheet, separating them to prevent sticking.
8. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow sugar coating to set and cranberries to develop a crisp exterior.
9. Serve chilled as a festive garnish, sweet snack, or decorative topping for desserts and holiday dishes.
10. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, maintaining their crisp sugary texture.

Notes

• Ensure cranberries are bone-dry to help sugar adhere perfectly and prevent crystallization during coating process.
• Allow syrup to cool just until warm to prevent berry breakdown and maintain their delicate structure during soaking.
• Use superfine sugar for smoother, more elegant coating that creates a delicate crystalline exterior on each cranberry.
• Separate cranberries while chilling to prevent clumping and maintain individual sugar-crusted berries with crisp texture.

• Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3-4 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Rolling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 42 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg