Description
Sugared Cranberries are a festive and delicious treat perfect for holiday garnishes or a sweet snack. Fresh cranberries are first cooked in a sugar syrup to coat them, then rolled in granulated sugar for a sparkling, crunchy exterior. This simple recipe takes a few hours of drying time but requires minimal active prep, resulting in a beautifully textured, sweet and tart snack that adds color and flavor to any dessert or cocktail.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar, divided
- 1 12-ounce bag fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare Sugar Syrup: Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until sugar dissolves completely, about 2-3 minutes.
- Coat Cranberries: Stir fresh cranberries into the warm sugar syrup until they are well coated. Then use a slotted spoon to transfer the cranberries onto a wire rack, allowing excess syrup to drip off. Let cranberries dry for at least 1 hour to set the coating.
- Sugar the Cranberries: Working in small batches, roll the dried cranberries in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of sugar until they are thoroughly coated. Return the sugared cranberries to the wire rack and let them dry again for at least 1 hour to form a crisp sugar shell.
Notes
- Be sure to use a wire rack to allow air circulation and proper drying of the cranberries.
- Sugared cranberries can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days for best texture.
- Use these cranberries as a garnish for cocktails, desserts, or as a sweet snack on their own.
- Handle cranberries gently when rolling in sugar to preserve the delicate sugar coating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert Garnish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
