Irresistible Candied Cranberries Recipe for Perfect Holiday Treats
These sparkling, sugar-coated cranberries are a festive treat perfect for snacking, garnishing desserts, or gifting during the holidays.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (200g) fresh cranberries
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar (for syrup)
- 1 cup (240ml) water
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar (for coating)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sugar Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup (200g) of granulated sugar and 1 cup (240ml) of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely. Do not boil.
- Add the Cranberries: Once the sugar syrup is ready, reduce the heat to low and gently add 2 cups (200g) of fresh cranberries. Stir to coat them evenly. Simmer for about 2-3 minutes, making sure the cranberries don’t pop.
- Remove and Dry: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cranberries to a wire rack or parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them dry for at least 1 hour, until they’re slightly tacky but not wet.
- Coat with Sugar: Pour 1 cup (200g) of granulated sugar into a mixing bowl. Toss the cranberries in small batches, ensuring each one is thoroughly coated with sugar. Shake off the excess sugar and transfer them to a clean surface to dry.
- Final Touches: Let the sugar-coated cranberries sit for another hour to fully set. Once ready, they’ll be perfectly sparkly and crunchy.
Notes
[‘Avoid using soft or bruised cranberries—they won’t hold up well in the syrup.’, ‘Keep the heat on low to prevent the cranberries from bursting.’, ‘Superfine sugar works best for the prettiest sparkle, but regular granulated sugar will work too.’, ‘Allow enough drying time between steps to avoid clumpy sugar or sticky cranberries.’, ‘Experiment with adding vanilla extract, almond extract, or citrus zest to the syrup for a unique twist.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 25
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
Keywords: candied cranberries, holiday treats, festive snacks, edible gifts, dessert garnish