Candied Cranberries Recipe | Sweet Ordeal | Dessert/Garnish (2024)

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My Candied Cranberries Recipe is an easy way to add sparkling garnish to any holiday dish, cheese board, or co*cktail. The contrast of the tangy cranberries with the sugary coating is delicious, and you only need 3 ingredients.

Candied Cranberries Recipe | Sweet Ordeal | Dessert/Garnish (1)

They’ve been called many things: sugared cranberries, frosted cranberries, and, of course, candied cranberries.

Whatever you call them, they’re the perfect last minute touch to your holiday table. They’re so easy, too!

Candied Cranberries Recipe | Sweet Ordeal | Dessert/Garnish (2)

Making Candied Cranberries Recipe

Simple Syrup

In a medium sauce pan, whisk together 1/2 cup water with 1/2 cup granulated sugar.

Bring just to a simmer and whisk until the sugar is dissolved, then remove from heat.

This is your simple syrup.

Candied Cranberries Recipe | Sweet Ordeal | Dessert/Garnish (3)

Adding the Cranberries

The cranberries should be washed and thoroughly dried.

You DO NOT want to add wet cranberries to your simple syrup, so dry them good first.

Add the cranberries to the simple syrup and stir to coat. Cover and allow to steep for 10 minutes.

What does it mean to steep?

Glad you asked. It’s the process of soaking in a liquid at a temperature under the boiling point.

This is particularly important with cranberries, because you don’t want them to burst open in water that’s too hot.

After that, remove the cranberries with a slotted spoon to a parchment paper-lined sheet or rack to dry for 1 hour.

Don’t throw out the simple syrup, though, keep it for holiday co*cktails.

After an hour of drying, the cranberries will be sticky.

Candied Cranberries Recipe | Sweet Ordeal | Dessert/Garnish (4)

Rolling in the Money

Just kidding, you’re only rolling in the sugar.

Add the remaining sugar to a small plate and begin rolling the cranberries in the sugar.

That’s pretty much it.

Storing Candied Cranberries

Keep these tasty little treats in a sealed container for 2 – 3 days.

Should the cranberries start to “weep” a little liquid, you can easily re-roll them in more sugar to freshen them up.

Another helpful way to keep them dry is to add a tablespoon of dry rice in the container. The rice will absorb any extra moisture.

Candied Cranberries Recipe | Sweet Ordeal | Dessert/Garnish (5)

How to use Candied Cranberries

Add these sparkly little gems on top of holiday desserts, such as Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake, Chocolate Truffle Cupcakes, or Mini Gingerbread Cheesecakes. Delicious, festive, and darn pretty.

Place candied cranberries on cheese boards and charcuterie platters. The tartness of the cranberries perfectly compliment the rich creamy cheeses, plus it adds a splash of color.

Garnish your holiday co*cktails. Pierce a few candied cranberries with a pretty toothpick and lay it on the rim of a champagne glass. So classy and pretty!

Snack on candied cranberries just as they are. The tartness of the cranberry together with the sugary coating is so very good. Set out a bowl of them and watch them disappear.

Candied Cranberries Recipe | Sweet Ordeal | Dessert/Garnish (6)

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5 from 2 votes

Candied Cranberries Recipe

An easy, festive garnish for any holiday meal, dessert, or co*cktail. The perfect little snack, too.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Drying time:1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: garnish, holiday favorite, snack, Winter treat

Yield: 12

Calories: 109kcal

Author: SweetOrdeal.com

Materials

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 12 oz. bag fresh cranberries, washed and dried

Instructions

  • In a medium sauce pan, whisk together 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 cup water until sugar is dissolved. Bring just to a simmer, then remove from heat. Stir in cranberries to evenly coat. Cover and steep for 10 minutes.

  • Remove cranberries with slotted spoon to a parchment paper-lined sheet or rack to dry for 1 hour. Cranberries will be sticky.

  • Roll cranberries in remaining sugar. Store in sealed container for 2 - 3 days. Enjoy!

Notes

Add a tablespoon of dry rice to container to absorb excess moisture.

Re-roll any cranberries to freshen them up.

Reserve the simple syrup for holiday co*cktails.

Granulated sugar looks more "snowy," but cane sugar can also be used.

Nutrition

Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | 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: 26g | Vitamin A: 17IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Candied Cranberries Recipe | Sweet Ordeal | Dessert/Garnish (7)

A quick mention of this wonderful blank recipe book that I helped to create with a very dear friend. Write in one or more recipes before giving it to that special person, then they can fill the remaining pages with their favorites, and/or have other special people write out recipes for them. It’s personal, and yes, it takes time and effort — something we’ve gotten away from with all this technology. Check it out HERE where you can order it in a hard or soft cover. Once there, click on READ SAMPLE to see the pages within. I especially like the “measurements and conversions” page. Also, I make no money from any sales, I just love the idea of this book. Missing my mom as I do, seeing her handwriting always makes me feel closer to her. Give that gift to someone else by writing out a favorite recipe.

Candied Cranberries Recipe

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All in all, I hope you enjoy this recipe and have a blessed day.

Candied Cranberries Recipe | Sweet Ordeal | Dessert/Garnish (8)Candied Cranberries Recipe | Sweet Ordeal | Dessert/Garnish (9)Copyright © Sweet Ordeal. All content and images are copyright protected. Do not use any images without prior permission. If, however, you want to republish this recipe, re-write the recipe in your own words, then link back to this post for the original recipe and directions.

Candied Cranberries Recipe | Sweet Ordeal | Dessert/Garnish (2024)

FAQs

How long should you soak cranberries? ›

Notes on how to make sugared cranberries

Pick a large bowl to soak the cranberries with the maple syrup. It's important that all the cranberries are well covered with it. They need to be soaked uncovered about 8 to 10 hours, so overnight is best.

What happens if you overcook cranberry sauce? ›

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.

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 I soak dried cranberries before baking? ›

Rehydrate the fruits: Dried fruits can be quite hard and dry, so it's often a good idea to rehydrate them before adding them to your baked goods. To do this, simply soak the dried fruits in warm water or fruit juice for 15-20 minutes until they are plump and tender.

How long can cranberries sit in water? ›

In water, cranberries should last about two weeks.

Why does my homemade cranberry sauce taste bitter? ›

Dear Evelyn: I had the same problem when I first started making my own cranberry sauce. I found out that you should cook them just until they pop. Further cooking will make them bitter, and once that happens, you need to start again.

How to tell if cranberry sauce is bad? ›

If you open the can and the sauce appears discolored, or the smell or taste seems off, go ahead and toss it.

Why is my homemade cranberry sauce runny? ›

The simplest reason that your cranberry sauce is too runny is that it has too much liquid in it. Usually, this is just water, but some people use orange juice or other flavored fluids. No matter what you're using, the answer is to cook it longer.

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.

Can you eat cranberries raw? ›

Eating raw cranberries is safe and easy, though their sharp, bitter flavor isn't for everyone. Be sure to clean and sort them thoroughly. You should also consume them in moderation, especially when juiced, as excessive amounts of juice may cause stomach upset or interfere with medications like warfarin.

Can chickens eat cranberries? ›

Chickens can eat cranberries. Cranberries are not toxic to chickens and it is a good source of nutrition, that includes vitamins and antioxidants. It is important to note that cranberries should not be the main feed. Make sure the cranberries are fresh and unsweetened before feeding them to your chickens.

Can I dry cranberries in an air fryer? ›

Can You Dry Whole Cranberries Instead Of Cutting Them In Half? Yes you can, however you do want the skins to pop before placing whole cranberries in your air fryer or oven, because otherwise they will take twice to three times as long to dry.

Are craisins dried cranberries? ›

Dried cranberries may be marketed as craisins due to the similarity in appearance with raisins, although the word "Craisin" is a registered trademark of Ocean Spray. Craisins were introduced as part of a packaged cereal produced by Ralston Purina in 1989.

What's the difference between raisins and dried cranberries? ›

Battle of Dried Fruits: Raisins versus Craisins

That's because, says Kriebel, Craisins are actually dried cranberries with sugar added to make them sweet. Raisins are just dried grapes, with no added sweeteners.

How long does it take for cranberries to work? ›

If you can get a high-quality cranberry juice or supplement containing at least 36 mg of proanthocyanidins, it can take effect 4-8 hours after consumption. Do not expect a UTI to go away right after consumption completely. Continue consuming juice/supplements and monitor how your symptoms are being alleviated.

How do you take the bitterness out of cranberries? ›

Add A Splash Of Vinegar

Their sharp tang counteracts bitter flavors without having to add extra sugar. While citrus is a natural pairing for cranberry sauce, bright, savory vinegars like sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar play well with the bitter-tart berries.

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