How To Make Sugared Cranberries - candied cranberries recipe (2024)

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Looking for a fun and festive way to decorate your holiday treats? Try making some sugared cranberries! These little berries are easy to make and add a pop of color and sweetness. They can be used in various recipes, from appetizers to desserts! These sugary cranberries are not only a delicious seasonal treat but also a beautiful garnish to all your holiday dishes and festive co*cktails.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS hide

1 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

2 Ingredients

3 How to Make

4 How to Serve

5 Frequently asked questions about homemade sugary cranberries

7 Sugared Cranberries

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cranberries are super popular during the holiday season and with reason. They are absolutely delicious! You’ve got:

  • Cranberry Sauce
  • Champagne co*cktail With Cranberries
  • Cranberry Orange Marmalade

And that’s just to name a few popular recipes. Cranberries are very versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. What better way to enjoy them than with a little bit of sweetness? These sugared cranberries hit the spot.

Besides eating them as a snack, use these sugary cranberries to add to a holiday look to a cookie tray, cheeseboard, and holiday desserts. You can even use them as a co*cktail garnish. This year, I used them to decorate my gingerbread house cake.

All you need to make candied cranberries are three ingredients: white sugar, water, and fresh cranberries! It’s really that simple.

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Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this recipe:

  • Cranberries: The main ingredient! You will need 1 bag of fresh cranberries for this recipe.
  • Sugar: To make sure the cranberries are perfectly coated, you will need 2 cups of white sugar. Although, using another type of sugar might not be able to dissolve and coat the cranberries as effectively.
  • Water: To help the sugar dissolve and coat the cranberries, you will need about 1/2 cup of cold water. It makes this delicious sugary syrup that pairs nicely with the tart cranberries!
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How to Make

This recipe can’t get any easier. All you need to do is…

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup of water.
  • Then, stir until the sugar is dissolved (2-3 minutes) and then remove from the heat.
  • After, gently fold in the cranberries until they are well coated.
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  • Using a colander, drain the liquid from the cranberries.
  • Transfer the cranberries to a wire rack and let dry for at least an hour.
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  • Working in small batches, roll the cranberries in the remaining sugar until they are well coated.
  • Let them dry for at least one hour on a wire rack.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Note: I’ve provided the exact ingredients and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

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How To Make Sugared Cranberries - candied cranberries recipe (8)

How to Serve

First and foremost, they taste great by themselves or as part of a cheese board appetizer. The sugar shell offsets the tart cranberries perfectly for a juicy snack that everyone will love. Serve them with some pepperoni and you’re good to go!

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My all-time favorite way to serve them? Holiday co*cktails! Not only do they add a bit of pizzazz to your drink, but they also look fabulous on a wood skewer placed atop the glass. When sugar comes in contact with a co*cktail, it will dissolve and adds this sweet/tart flavor to the drink.

I think they would look especially wonderful with my Cranberry Bourbon co*cktailor Jingle Juice Holiday Punch. I most recently used them when I made my Very Merry Ornamentini!

Beyond those ideas, you can use them to garnish your cookie tray or any seasonal appetizer. Let me show you how easy they are to make!

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Frequently asked questions about homemade sugary cranberries

Here are a few questions I’ve been asked when I have shared this easy cranberry recipe.

How long do sugared cranberries take to make?

The entire process takes about 2 hours, but most of that time is inactive! All you need to do is mix the ingredients together and wait for the cranberries to cool.

How long do sugared cranberries last?

If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, sugared cranberries will last up to two weeks!

Do sugared cranberries need to be refrigerated?

Yes, sugared cranberries should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. They can last up to 5-7 days, but they are best enjoyed within a few days of making them.

Can sugared cranberries be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, let the cranberries thaw overnight in the refrigerator before eating.

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Pretty simple, right? It’s easy to see why these little guys make the perfect holiday garnish. Now you’re ready to tackle the holidays with a delicious dessert recipe (that doubles as an adorable and festive village), plus some sparkly cranberries you can use in a variety of ways.

Enjoy and happy holidays!

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More Recipes You May Enjoy

  • Cranberry Brie Bites
  • Marscapone Cranberry French Toast
  • Cranberry Sweet Rolls
  • Apple Cranberry Tart
  • Cranberry Orange Marmalade

Try making these sugared cranberries. If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.

Want more from Inspired by Charm? Follow along onInstagramandTikTokfor daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration onFacebookandPinterest!

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Sugared Cranberries

These sugared cranberries are not only a delicious seasonal treat, but they make a beautiful garnish to all of your holiday dishes and festive co*cktail recipes.

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas, cranberries, dessert, holiday, sugared cranberries

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 142kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar divided
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 bag (12-ounces) fresh cranberries

Instructions

  • In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved (2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the cranberries until they are well coated. Using a colander, drain the liquid from the cranberries. Transfer the cranberries to a wire rack and let dry for at least an hour.

  • Working in small batches, roll the cranberries in the remaining sugar until they are well coated. Let them dry for at least one hour on a wire rack.

  • Store the cranberries in a bowl without a lid. Enjoy as a snack within two days or use as decor for up to two weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 24mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 17IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg

How To Make Sugared Cranberries - candied cranberries recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in cranberries? ›

2.1. Nutritionals. Raw, unsweetened American cranberries contain mainly 87% water and 12% carbohydrates, with lesser amounts of protein, fats and fiber (Table 1) [11]. Small cranberries accrue 2.1–4.9% titrable acidity with citric acid contributing 1.8–2.6%.

What is the sugar content of cranberries? ›

Out of all fruits, cranberries have one of the lowest amounts of sugar. In every cup of cranberries, there is only 4g of sugar. This compares to raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries, which have 5, 7, and 7 grams of sugar per cup, respectively.

How to store sugared cranberries in the fridge? ›

Store them lightly covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a few days. If they start to look a little wet, toss them in a little more sugar. Do not freeze the sugared cranberries because, as they thaw, the sugar absorbs into the liquid.

Do you have to cook cranberries before baking? ›

Do you need to cook fresh cranberries before baking? While cranberries should not be eaten as is (they are unpleasantly tart), they do not need to be cooked before they are used in baked goods.

Why add sugar to dried cranberries? ›

Unlike other berries, cranberries are low in sugar and high in acidity. They require sweetening to be palatable. During this step, the cranberries are sweetened to replace what nature left out; the additional sweetness helps to balance their natural tartness.

Why should cranberries not be eaten raw? ›

Is it safe to eat cranberries raw? Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

Do cranberries raise blood sugar? ›

One study published in Food and Function found that adding whole cranberries to a high-fat meal may improve postprandial blood glucose levels (AKA how high your blood sugar get after a meal). A food like cranberry sauce is traditionally made with ingredients including real cranberries, sugar and spices.

What does cranberries do to your body? ›

Many people consider cranberries to be a superfood due to their high nutrient and antioxidant content. In fact, research has linked the nutrients in cranberries to a lower risk of urinary tract infection (UTI), the prevention of certain types of cancer, improved immune function, and decreased blood pressure.

Are cranberries good for kidneys? ›

4. Cranberries. Cranberries are low in potassium and high in vitamin C, making them another great choice for people with kidney disease. Cranberry juice has also been shown to help prevent urinary tract infections, which are typical for people with kidney disease.

Can dogs eat cranberries? ›

Both fresh and dried cranberries are safe to feed to dogs in small quantities. Whether your dog will like this tart treat is another question. Either way, moderation is important when feeding cranberries to dogs, as with any treat, as too many can lead to an upset stomach.

Will cranberries go bad if not refrigerated? ›

Refrigerator. Cranberries can be stored in the refrigerator up to three (3) months if they are kept in their original plastic packaging or in an airtight, sealed container. Left in the open air, at room temperature, cranberries quickly lose their freshness.

Do cranberries get mushy after freezing? ›

If cranberries are frozen then removed from the freezer then thawed, they will have a soft texture and are usable for cooking and baking.

What happens if you cook cranberries too long? ›

If your cranberry sauce is too thick, it's most likely overcooked. When you cook cranberries (or any berries), they burst, releasing pectin—a natural thickener. The key to a perfect consistency is to allow some but not all of the cranberries to split open—something you'll achieve with less time on the stove.

Can you use craisins instead of cranberries in baking? ›

Yes, Craisins® Sweetened Dried Cranberries work well in baked goods; however, there is a 1/4 cup (60 mL) difference in measurement. If a recipe calls for one cup of fresh cranberries you should use 3/4 cup (175 mL) of Craisins®. Craisins® should not be used in cooked sauces.

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh in baking? ›

Yes! Fresh cranberries freeze for up to a year and can often be substituted in recipes that call for fresh cranberries. When cooking with frozen cranberries, do not thaw before using.

What are cranberries mostly made of? ›

Cranberries are primarily composed of carbs and fiber ( 1 ). These are mainly simple sugars, such as sucrose, glucose, and fructose ( 2 ). The rest is made up of insoluble fiber — such as pectin, cellulose, and hemicellulose — which pass through your gut almost intact. Cranberries also contain soluble fiber.

What do cranberries do for your body? ›

Cranberries have two big benefits for heart health: lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol. Some studies suggest that drinking low-calorie cranberry juice regularly can raise HDL (good) cholesterol and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Are cranberries healthier than blueberries? ›

The cranberry is also a contender when it comes to antioxidant content. While wild blueberries outperform them when it comes to measuring both antioxidant capacity and cellular antioxidant activity, cranberries pack their own health punch.

Are cranberries good or bad for kidneys? ›

In particular, cranberry juice is thought to help get rid of kidney stones, similarly to how it reduces incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs). That said, some experts argue that drinking cranberry juice may actually worsen your kidney stones.

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