Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (2024)

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4.46

/5

1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

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By: Rachel GurkPosted: 11/19/2018

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Whether you call them sugared cranberries or candied cranberries, they’re the perfect sparkling garnish to nearly any holiday dish or co*cktail. They’re easy to make, too.

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: It’s a perfect duet: tangy cranberries and crunchy sugar. They are pretty irresistible.

How long it takes: 10 minutes, plus an hour to let them dry
Equipment you’ll need: small saucepan, wire rack
Servings: 12

Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (1)

Table of Contents close

  • 1 Recipe Overview
  • 2 How To Use Sugared Cranberries
  • 3 How To Make Sugared Cranberries
  • 4 FAQs
  • 5 Storage Tips
  • 6 Get the Recipe: Sugared Cranberries Recipe

Aren’t these sugared cranberries the prettiest things? Sugared cranberries are like little jewels for your food!

They go by different names: sugared cranberries, candied cranberries, or frosted cranberries. You can call ’em what you like but you’ll definitely want to try this easy little recipe.

Wanna know the best part? They’re super easy to make so they’re a great last minute addition to your holiday plans.

Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (2)

How To Use Sugared Cranberries

  • Add to appetizers. I love them as a garnish for that amazing baked brie I shared last week. They are the perfect sweet tart complement to the cranberry sauce and bourbon candied pecans. I’ve also had them on these festive sparkling cranberry brie bites, an easy holiday appetizer idea from Yummy Mummy Kitchen.
  • Garnish co*cktails. The cranberries also look stunning on a refreshing holiday co*cktail. Skewer a few cranberries on a pretty toothpick and balance it on the edge of a champagne glass. It’s so pretty!
  • Embellish charcuterie boards. I love adding sparkling sugared cranberries to my charcuterie platters. Not only are they are gorgeous, the tart cranberries really complement the rich creamy cheese.
  • Snack on them like candy. A bowlful of these candied cranberries will disappear in a hurry!
Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (3)

How To Make Sugared Cranberries

There are only three simple steps to making these sugared cranberries:

  1. Make a simple syrup of sugar and water.
  2. Coat the cranberries in the simple syrup and spread them onto a baking rack to dry for an hour.
  3. Roll the sticky cranberries in more sugar. And that’s it!

They’re so easy and so fun. The contrast of the tart cranberries isso sogood with the sugary coating. You are going to love these, and everyone will be so impressed by you!

Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (4)

FAQs

What can I do with sugared cranberries?

Garnish a cake or pie with the cranberries. They look gorgeous on a cheese platter or charcuterie board. Add them to a co*cktail or put them in candy bowls. They’reso pretty and really quite addicting.

Can I add flavor to candied cranberries?

Sure! For vanilla flavored cranberries, add scraped vanilla bean (the pulp of the bean) to the rolling sugar. For orange flavored cranberries, add finely grated orange zest to the rolling sugar.

Can you use frozen cranberries to make sugared cranberries?

Although I haven’t tested it, I did a little research and it looks like you can. Allow the frozen cranberries to partially defrost before adding them to the simple syrup. Soak them in the simple syrup for 10 minutes before removing them to dry.

Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Store the cranberries in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for a few days. If they start to “weep” a little, just give them another quick toss in sugar to freshen them up.

You can also re-use the simple syrup. Refrigerate it in a jar and use it to make co*cktails.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (5)

Recipe

Get the Recipe: Sugared Cranberries Recipe

4.46 from 91 votes

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Additional Time: 1 hour hr

Total Time: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

12 servings

Print Rate Recipe

Whether you call them sugared cranberries or candied cranberries, they're the perfect sparkling garnish to nearly any holiday dish or co*cktail. They're easy to make, too.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 bag (12 oz.) fresh cranberries

Instructions

  • Sort cranberries, discarding any soft or wrinkled berries. Rinse well and drain.

  • Combine ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Do not boil. Remove from heat.

  • Stir the cranberries into the simple syrup, and stir to coat well.

  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper. Set a wire rack inside the baking sheet. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cranberries to the wire rack. Let the cranberries dry for 1 hour.

  • After one hour of drying, roll cranberries in remaining sugar until completely coated.

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days (see note).

Notes

  • The cranberries may start to “weep” some liquid after 2 to 3 days. If that happens, re-roll them in sugar to extend their life.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1oz., Calories: 141kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 0.1g, Saturated Fat: 0.003g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 23mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 34g, Vitamin A: 17IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 3mg, Iron: 0.1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

  1. Carolann Carpentier says

    I am going to make these but I’d like to freeze them after they’re done. Has anyone done this? I think freezing in a layer on a sheet is best. Trying to stay a step ahead with food preparations. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      I’m not sure freezing these would work, but I haven’t tested it. Let me know if you give it a try!

      Reply

  2. Julie Moore says

    Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (13)
    My granddaughter loves these! I let them dry for an hour, then put them in a baggie with sugar and shook them to coat them. Very quick and easy.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      How fun! I’m so glad they were a hit!

      Reply

  3. Debbie says

    Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (14)
    Like a reverse warhead candy! They are so good in unsweetened seedy oatmeal (chia, pumpkin seeds)!!

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      Yes, exactly!

      Reply

  4. Colorado Cranberry Lover says

    Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (15)
    The 3 stars are due to the method, not the taste. Can I be the only one? When I let the cranberries dry off for only a half hour, they were so dry that the sugar would not stick. I had saved the syrup, so I put the cranberries back in the syrup, strained them and rolled them in sugar immediately. THEN, I let them dry for an hour to let the sugar harden. BTW – I checked a few other recipes and all are written as yours is ?? Is it because we have very low humidity here?

    They are delicious! Worth the extra effort.

    Another question: if the cranberries tend to weep after a day or so, why do you store them in an air tight container? Wouldn’t it make more sense to leave them in a bowl where they can breathe?

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      I find that if I roll them in sugar right away they are too wet and the sugar clumps. The only way it works for me is to let them dry for a bit. Sorry it didn’t work for you that way! We don’t have high humidity in the winter, so I’m not sure what could be causing the problems for you.

      Reply

  5. Charlene Yacovelli says

    SOOOO delicious! Like natural Sour Patch Kids – only reverse! (sour on the inside, sweet on the outside!)
    I am going to use them to decorate my pumpkin pie, along with some mint leaves.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      That’s such a perfect description of these! They’ll be beautiful on your pie! I’m making some to put on a cheeseboard.

      Reply

  6. :D says

    How do you eat them in a charcuterie board?

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      Once I have the larger items arranged (cheese, crackers, meat, etc), I like to sprinkle these around to fill in the holes and add a pop of color!

      Reply

  7. Brianna Storch says

    These were lovely and so easy to make! I am bringing little champagne orange-cranberry jello “shots” to a Friendsgiving and the sugared cranberries are the perfect addition to add on the top of each shot. I also like that I could make these while the jello firmed in my ridge and were ready to go once the jello was done!

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      That’s perfect! I’m glad you liked them!

      Reply

  8. armando says

    Thislooksgreat! Iwillprepareitformychildren……..Thanksforsharing

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      You’re welcome! I hope your children love these!

      Reply

  9. denise says

    pop them in some champagne.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      Yes! Such a fun and festive idea.

      Reply

Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much sugar are 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 many cranberries should I eat a day? ›

HOW MUCH CRANBERRIES TO EAT DAILY? Studies confirming the health-promoting properties of cranberries have typically used doses of 100-300 g of fresh cranberries, equivalent to 7-10 g of dried cranberries, and 100-150 ml of 100% cranberry juice.

How to prepare cranberries to eat? ›

  1. Sort the berries and discard any that are soft or spoiled.
  2. Wash the berries.
  3. Place in a saucepan and stir in water and sugar.
  4. Bring to a boil & cook uncovered for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until mixture is foamy and popping stops. It will thicken when cooled.
  5. Cool at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate.

Can Type 2 diabetics eat cranberries? ›

If you have any concerns about managing your blood sugar, speak with your healthcare professional. Like most foods, cranberry juice in small amounts can be a part of a healthy diet, even for those with diabetes.

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.

How to dry cranberries with sugar? ›

How to make Sugared Cranberries
  1. Heat the Syrup – In a medium saucepan, simmer 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar for 3 minutes.
  2. Stir in cranberries to coat then remove from heat and stir another 1 minute.
  3. Remove cranberries with a slotted spoon and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or rack and dry out for 1 hour.
Nov 26, 2021

How long do homemade dried cranberries last? ›

In a sealed container, dried cranberries can be stored up to one (1) year at room temperature. They must be kept in a cool, dark place. Dried cranberries may also be kept in the freezer for a period up to 1 year.

Do you have to boil cranberries before dehydrating? ›

You may notice other recipes use boiling as a method to soften the cranberries before drying them. But, that's completely unnecessary.

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.

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.

What medications cannot be taken with cranberry? ›

Possible Interactions
  • Warfarin (Coumadin): Cranberry may raise the risk of bleeding, especially if you already take medications to thin the blood such as warfarin. ...
  • Aspirin: Like aspirin, cranberries contain salicylic acid. ...
  • Other medications: Cranberry may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver.

Can you just eat raw cranberries? ›

Yes, raw cranberries are safe to consume raw, but you probably don't want to eat them that way. "Cranberries are safe to eat raw. However, usually they are cooked and have sugar added because of the bitter and sharp taste they have when raw," says Kelly West Keyser, a registered dietitian in Alabama.

What is the healthiest way to eat cranberries? ›

There are lots of ways to add this fruit to your diet. Some varieties, such as dried cranberries, cranberry juice, and canned cranberry sauce, are available year-round. The healthiest way to enjoy cranberries is to eat them fresh. Raw cranberries take about 16 months to fully mature and are gathered in early fall.

Can you eat too many raw cranberries? ›

Safety and Side Effects. Cranberries and cranberry products are usually safe for most people if consumed in moderation. However, excessive consumption may cause stomach upset and diarrhea — and may also increase the risk of kidney stones in predisposed individuals.

Are cranberries good or bad for diabetics? ›

The United States Department of Agriculture reported that two glasses of cranberry juice per day could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This is due to the polyphenols contained in cranberries which protect cells from damage and disease.

Are fresh cranberries good for diabetics? ›

Yes,it is highly recommended for diabetics. Cranberries are high in a variety of healthy minerals and plant compounds, some of which are effective against a variety of ailments. Cranberries are largely made up of carbohydrates and dietary fibre, with over 90% of their weight made up of water.

Are cranberries high in sugar and carbs? ›

Carbs. A 1-cup serving of raw cranberries contains just 46 calories and 12 grams of carbs. Of those carbohydrates, 3.6 grams are fiber and 4.3 grams are naturally-occurring sugars. Dried cranberries are also popular.

Which has more sugar, cranberries or raisins? ›

Let's look at the Nutrition Facts labels to compare: Raisins: ¼ cup serving (40 grams) contains 26 grams of sugar for 120 total calories. Dried cranberries: ¼ cup serving (40 grams) 27 grams of sugar for 130 total calories.

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