Description
These homemade sugared cranberries are a delightful holiday treat perfect for garnishing desserts, cakes, and beverages. Fresh cranberries are soaked in simple syrup, then rolled in sugar to create a beautiful crystallized coating that adds a sweet and tart crunch to any dish.
Ingredients
For the Simple Syrup and Cranberries
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
Instructions
- Prepare the Cranberries: Rinse the fresh cranberries thoroughly under cold water to remove any debris or impurities.
- Make Simple Syrup: In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of granulated sugar with 1 cup of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves, forming a clear simple syrup.
- Coat the Cranberries: Add the rinsed cranberries to the warm simple syrup and stir to coat them evenly. Let the cranberries soak in the syrup for about 10 minutes to help the sugar adhere better.
- Drain and Dry: Use a slotted spoon to remove the cranberries from the syrup, allowing excess syrup to drip off. Spread the cranberries on a cookie sheet and let them dry for approximately 45 minutes until their surfaces feel slightly tacky.
- Coat in Sugar: Pour 3/4 cup of granulated sugar into a shallow bowl. Roll the tacky cranberries gently through the sugar until they are evenly coated, creating a crystallized effect.
- Dry Again: Place the sugar-coated cranberries on a wire rack and let them dry completely to achieve a crisp, crunchy exterior.
- Store or Serve: Once fully dry, store the sugared cranberries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or use immediately to garnish your favorite desserts, cakes, or drinks.
Notes
- Ensure the cranberries are fresh and firm for the best texture.
- Drying time is crucial to get a crunchy sugar coating; do not skip or shorten drying steps.
- Use wire racks to allow air circulation while drying, preventing sogginess.
- Store in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
- These sugared cranberries can also be frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert Garnish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
