3 Ingredient Sugared Cranberries

Sugared Cranberries made with just 3 ingredients are an easy way to add a touch of sweetness and sparkle to your holiday desserts! Coated in a crisp layer of sugar, they’re the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Use them to top your desserts, as a beautiful garnish for holiday cocktails, or even just serve them as a sweet snack.

Cranberries are a holiday staple! I use fake ones in my decorating and fresh cranberries in my cooking and baking. This super simple recipe will elevate your cranberries to the next level. The white sugar adds a gorgeous sparkle, adding a beautifully festive touch to your holiday treats and party charcuterie boards.

This recipe produces the best results when using fresh cranberries, though you could use thawed frozen cranberries as well. Just make sure they come to room temperature first to avoid any extra moisture.

3 Ingredients for Sugared Cranberries

This recipe creates a sweet syrup with just two simple ingredients:

• Granulated white sugar
• Water

Don’t forget to pick up a bag of fresh cranberries at the grocery store!

The detailed amounts and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How to Make Sugared Cranberries

1. Prepare: Sort the cranberries and discard any bruised or bad ones, then rinse the cranberries under cold water. 
2. Simple Syrup: Next, combine 3/4 cup of white sugar and 3/4 cup of water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely, then remove the pan from the heat. 
3. Coat the Cranberries: Add the cranberries to the saucepan, ensuring you fully coat each one in the syrup. Let them sit for 5-10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cranberries to a wire rack. Spread them out so they aren’t touching. Let them dry for about 1 hour until they are no longer wet but still slightly sticky. 
4. Sugar the Berries: Place the remaining 3/4 cup of sugar in a shallow dish. Working in batches, roll cranberries in the sugar until evenly coated. Finally, allow the sugared cranberries to dry in a single layer on a clean baking sheet for another hour before serving or using as a garnish. 

Tips for Coating Cranberries in Sugar

• The best way to coat the cranberries in sugar is to work in small batches. Place the sticky cranberries into a shallow dish filled with sugar and gently roll them around using a spoon or by tossing the dish. This ensures even coverage without clumping. 
• Avoid using your hands, as the simple syrup mixture can transfer and make the sugar sticky or clump. 
• Spread the coated cranberries out on a baking sheet to dry completely before serving or storing. 
• Sticky sugar usually happens from excess syrup transferring from the cranberries, so make sure the cranberries are only slightly sticky before rolling them and work in small batches. If your sugar becomes too lumpy or sticky while coating the cranberries, you can sift it through a fine-mesh sieve to break up clumps and refresh it. This will ensure the sugar remains dry and easy to work with. If the problem persists, replace the sugar entirely with fresh, dry sugar. 

FAQs

How should I store the Sugared Cranberries? 

Store the sparkling cranberries in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. The cranberries are best stored in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight. Don’t place them in the refrigerator, as refrigerating them can make the sugar coating melt. 

Can I freeze Sugared Cranberries for Cocktails?

Do not freeze! Sugar-coated cranberries do not hold up well.

Can I use different types of sugar for the coating? 

Yes, superfine sugar works well for a finer coating; coarse sugar adds more texture and sparkle. 

Can I add flavor to the syrup? 

Yes, you can add vanilla, lemon or orange zest, or spices like cinnamon or cloves to the syrup for added flavor. 

Why didn’t my sugar stick?

The cranberries may have dried too long after the syrup coating. They should still feel sticky when rolling them in the sweet sugar coating.

Can I reuse the sugar syrup?

Absolutely! You can use it for sweetening drinks, cocktails, or even drizzling over desserts. Store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. 

Suggestions for Using Sugared Cranberry Topping

• This Orange Spice Cake has a cran-raspberry filling and vanilla bean frosting. Top it with sugared cranberries for an elegant presentation!
• Can you imagine sugared cranberries on top of these Cranberry Orange Dream Bars? This fun holiday dessert will look stunning with those candied cranberries on top.
• Top this easy Cranberry Coffee Cake or my buttery Homemade Pound Cake with sugared cranberries and whipped cream for an indulgent treat!
• This Winter Cosmopolitan is a festive cocktail made with Vodka, lime juice, and cranberry apple juice. Use the cranberry simple syrup from this recipe instead of the rosemary simple syrup called for in the recipe, and garnish with a toothpick of sugared cranberries! You could also drop them in a glass of wine for a little zing!
• Holiday Cheese Ball: Two types of cheese are mixed with tangy dried cranberries, fragrant chopped rosemary, and pecan pieces, then rolled in even more cranberries, pecans, and parsley for a colorful and festive starter. Sugared cranberries would be a perfect garnish for this on your cheese boards!
• Dress up a pumpkin dessert like a pumpkin pie or my No-Bake Pumpkin Nutella Cheesecake. I love the vibrant color on the otherwise dull brownish desserts.
• Dress up a Cinnamon Roll wreath or Yule Log with sugared cranberries!
• Add these little jewels to your breakfast, like waffles or Almond Berry French Toast Casserole.

How will you use your sugared cranberry garnish this holiday season?

FOLLOW ME

 FACEBOOK ~ PINTEREST 
 INSTAGRAM ~ TWITTER 
YOUTUBE

Keep an eye out for more of my easy recipes each week!