Description
These Sparkling Sugared Cranberries are a simple yet stunning holiday treat—tart, juicy cranberries coated in crisp, glistening sugar for the perfect sweet-tart snack or festive garnish for desserts and drinks.
Ingredients
1/2 cup (120 g) water
3/4 cup (175 g) cane sugar, divided
1 cup (115 g) fresh cranberries
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water and 1/2 cup sugar. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves and the syrup just begins to simmer.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cranberries, ensuring they’re evenly coated. Optionally, add a scraped vanilla bean for extra flavor.
- Cover and let the cranberries steep for about 10 minutes to absorb the syrup.
- Drain the cranberries through a fine mesh strainer, reserving the syrup for other uses.
- Spread the cranberries on parchment paper over a wire rack and let them dry for about 1 hour until tacky.
- Pour the remaining 1/4 cup sugar onto a plate and roll the cranberries in the sugar until evenly coated and sparkling.
- Transfer to a parchment-lined container and let set for 15 minutes before serving. Store with a small bowl of rice in the container to prevent moisture buildup.
Notes
Use cane or granulated sugar for a fine sparkle, or raw sugar for a chunkier look.
Flavor the syrup with orange zest, cinnamon, or vanilla for a festive twist.
For a boozy version, soak cranberries in orange liqueur before sugaring.
Roll cranberries twice for extra shine and sparkle.
If the coating softens, toss gently with more sugar to refresh.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
