I’m COMPLETELY obsessed with sugared cranberries. They are so beyond beautiful I am using them EVERYWHERE. Now, I know this is basically a recipe that is super simple, and not much differs from one to the other- but I’ve discovered how to take the sparkly-ness up to another level. You will love the texture and frost of these sugared cranberries.
WHAT TO USE SUGARED CRANBERRIES FOR?
Before I get to the top secret ingredient let me tell you all the different ways to use these.
- Drink toppers
- decorations
- gift bags
- on pies, or desserts
- cheese platter or other charcuterie boards
WINTER GARNISHES
WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR CANDIED CRANBERRIES?
SUGAR
- plain ol’ white granulated sugar is fine.
- sparkling sugar or coarse sugar! This is the secret ingredient! This adds extra texture and extra sparkle. see below
ALSO you need a bag of cranberries
WHERE DO YOU FIND COARSE SUGAR OR SPARKLING SUGAR?
You can find it at baking stores or online. The brand Im using is Bob’s Red Mill Sparlking sugar, but amazon has several different kinds. like THIS, THIS OR THIS
It’s beautifully large and sparkly. Perfect for pies, cookies and of course cranberries. I love this stuff.
HOW TO MAKE SPARKLY CANDIED CRANBERRIES
STEP 1: In a sauce pan heat up 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar. You want it to become really hot but DO NOT BOIL!
If your water boils, or is too hot your cranberries will pop and begin to cook. Basically from there your making cranberry sauce, and you don’t want cranberry sauce. so DON’T BOIL THE WATER. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, and steam is coming off the water.
ADD CRANBERRIES
Using a slotted spoon or strainer remove cranberries from syrup.
Place on a rack and let dry for about 1 hour.
Try to space them out- they will be come super sticky and tacky to each other. which is ok, it just makes coating a little tricky.
In a sheet pan, or some tray, place some parchment paper down and add about 1 cup sugar and 1 cup sparkling sugar (or coarse sugar).
Working in batches, place cranberries in sugar and roll around. Press firmly on sugar while rolling around.
I repeated this process just to give the cranberries an extra coat of sugar.
I DONT HAVE TIME TO WAIT AN HOUR!
If you are in a rush you can place the cranberries and rosemary directly into the sugar from the simple sugar. I have found, however, that the sugar gets extremely wet very fast so you will go through 2-3x more sugar. But it does work in the cases where you have limited time.
MAKE SUGARED ROSEMARY TOO!
Rosemary is amazing to sugar along with the cranberries! It not only will smell amazing but is perfect for the winter wonderland theme. They can give your desserts a christmas tree look- or accent any drink.
Add your rosemary to the sugared water, and follow the same steps.
DRY THEM TOGETHER
There is no need to keep them separate when letting them dry.
GIVE YOUR CRANBERRIES EXTRA SCENT OR FLAVOR
You can completely play around with the simple syrup to give the berries extra flavor and extra scent! Try adding a little extract and vanilla before adding cranberries
- vanilla
- orange extract
- lime extract
- coconut extract
FAQ about Sugared Cranberries
CAN I STORE SUGARED CRANBERRIES
yes! you can store them in an air tight container or bag. The sugar does begin to flake off as the berries move about, and after a few days the sugar will start to make the cranberries become a little soggy.
CAN I FIX THE CRANBERRIES IF THE SUGAR IS FALLING OFF?
yes! I’ve done this a few times haha. accidentally dropped it in the drink, or after sitting in the fridge pieces aren’t looking as good? Just roll them around in sugar again to help them last a little longer?
HOW LONG DO CANDIED CRANBERRIES LAST?
Stored in the fridge, in an air tight container they will last 3-5 days. It can depend on the freshness of the cranberries when you bought them too.
LOOKING FOR SOME FUN DRINKS TO USE THESE WINTER GARNISHES FOR? TRY THESE!
MAKE THIS RECIPE?
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Unicorn sparkly sugar cranberries!
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup sparkling sugar or coarse sugar
- 12 oz bag cranberries
- a few sprigs of rosemary
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make a simple syrup by adding 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water to sauce pan. on med/med-high heat heat water and stir until sugar is dissolved. When steam starts to arise take off heat. add cranberries and rosemary.
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Stir cranberries and coat well in simple syrup. Remove with a strainer or slotted spoon. (Can reuse syrup for drinks or other recipes like lemonade)
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Place cranberries on rack to dry for 1 hour. In a tray or cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper use dump remaining sugar on. roll cranberries and rosemary around in sugar, pressing semi-firmly.
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If in a hurry you can put the cranberryies directly into the sugar from the simply syrup but the sugar will get more wet and you may need to replace and use more to get a good coating.
Recipe Video
GIVE YOUR CRANBERRIES EXTRA SCENT OR FLAVOR
You can completely play around with the simple syrup to give the berries extra flavor and extra scent! Try adding a little extract and vanilla before adding cranberries
- vanilla
- orange extract
- lime extract
- coconut extract
If your water boils, or is too hot your cranberries will pop and begin to cook. Basically from there your making cranberry sauce, and you don't want cranberry sauce. so DON'T BOIL THE WATER. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, and steam is coming off the water.
FAQ about Sugared Cranberries
CAN I STORE SUGARED CRANBERRIES
yes! you can store them in an air tight container or bag. The sugar does begin to flake off as the berries move about, and after a few days the sugar will start to make the cranberries become a little soggy.
CAN I FIX THE CRANBERRIES IF THE SUGAR IS FALLING OFF?
yes! I've done this a few times haha. accidentally dropped it in the drink, or after sitting in the fridge pieces aren't looking as good? Just roll them around in sugar again to help them last a little longer?
HOW LONG DO CANDIED CRANBERRIES LAST?
Stored in the fridge, in an air tight container they will last 3-5 days. It can depend on the freshness of the cranberries when you bought them too.
WHAT TO USE SUGARED CRANBERRIES FOR?
Before I get to the top secret ingredient let me tell you all the different ways to use these.
- Drink toppers
- decorations
- gift bags
- on pies, or desserts
- cheese platter or other charcuterie boards
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