Easy Sugared Cranberries

Easy Sugared Cranberries are fun, festive and simple to make. They make a great sweet and tart snack, and are perfect as an edible garnish.

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This post was originally posted on 11/16/2020 and updated on 10/30/2024.

Easy Sugared Cranberries Recipe Ingredients

• Granulated Sugar: this is the best sugar to use because it's small enough to coat the cranberries just right while also leaving them gorgeous.
• Water
• Fresh Cranberries: frozen cranberries that have been thawed will also work.

How to Make Easy Sugared Cranberries

1. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Heat on medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and the edges are slightly bubbling. Remove from heat.
2. Rinse the cranberries and pick out any mushy and spoiled berries. Add cranberries to a large bowl, pour syrup over the berries. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours.

3. Drain the cranberries in a colander and then spread them out on a parchment lined baking sheet. Let the cranberries dry for 10-15 minutes. They need to still be tacky but not dripping wet.
4. Sprinkle sugar over the cranberries and roll them around all over the pan to coat them all evenly. Let them sit on the pan for 1 hour to completely dry.

Sugar Variations for Rolling Cranberries

• Granulated Sugar-this is what I always use, because I always have this sugar on hand.
• Sugar in the Raw-this sugar has larger granules and gives a more sparkly look but won't have as much sugar adhered on the cranberries.
• Decorative Sugar Crystals-these sugar granules are more course then the others and add a little bit of crunch. Again, not as much sugar adheres to the cranberries.

Cranberry lover? Try this Fresh Cranberry Sauce or Pumpkin Bread with Cranberries. My favorite are these sweet and delicious Cranberry Bars.

How to Serve Sugared Cranberries

• Pretty Decorations- Use on top of cupcakes, cakes, quick breads, Pumpkin Bars, or Pumpkin Pie. Add them on top of your favorite holiday dessert along with some fresh rosemary sprigs for a fresh holly look. They also make a pretty addition to table centerpieces and cookie platters.
• Beverage Garnish- Add the cranberries to a pretty beverage pick, and add on top of the glass as a pretty and sweet garnish.
• Edible Garnishes- Sugared Cranberries make a great accompaniment to any meat and cheese tray, charcuterie board, fruit trays, and relish trays.
• Snacking- alas my favorite way to use these sweet cranberries is for simply snacking. They are sweet, tart and tangy all in one bite!

How to Store Sugared Cranberries

Store these beautiful berries in an air tight container in the fridge. They will last up to a week in the fridge. They are best when used within a few days. However, you can quickly roll them in some more sugar if they start to release too much moisture.

If you have any leftover cranberries that are starting to weep you can use them to make some simple Fresh Cranberry Sauce.

Tips for Sugared Cranberries

• Make sure the simple syrup starts to bubble around the edges. It needs to become a syrup and not just grainy sugar water.
• Don't let the cranberries dry too long before coating in sugar. If they are too dry the sugar won't stick. If they are too wet, the sugar will clump and not look pretty. 10-15 minutes is the perfect drying time.
• If the cranberries start to weep or have moisture on them, re-roll them in some more sugar.

More Holiday Desserts

• Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Pecan Pie Bars
• Crispy Candied Pecans
• Homemade Pumpkin Pie
• Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
• Homemade Pecan Pie
• Pumpkin Crisp
• Chocolate Peppermint Sheet Cake
• Pumpkin Pie Bundt Cake