2-Ingredient Sugared Cranberries
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These 2 ingredient sugared cranberries are such an easy little treat to make during the holidays. You only need fresh cranberries, sugar and a few minutes of hands-on time.
The berries are coated in a light simple syrup, then rolled in sugar until they look frosty and sparkly. They keep their tart bite under a crunchy sweet shell, so every bite pops in your mouth.
You can snack on them as they are, use them as an edible decoration for cakes and cupcakes or scatter them on a cheese board. They look especially festive at Christmas and New Year and are a great way to use up a bag of fresh cranberries.
I am also sharing step-by-step photos, tips for getting an even sugar coating, storage ideas and a few more cranberry recipes if you want to use up the rest of the bag.
Tips for making sugared cranberries
- Make sure to rinse fresh cranberries under running water before you use them in this sugared cranberry recipe. Check them thoroughly and get rid of any spoiled berries. In general, if the berry feels soft, it is more likely already off.
- Sugar-coated cranberries should last in an air-tight container on your counter for several days (up to 3-4 days). For the best texture, keep the container slightly ajar for the first few hours so any extra moisture can escape. Don’t put them in the fridge. The humid air will melt the sugar.
- For the coating step, superfine sugar sticks a little better than regular granulated sugar. It has small crystals, almost like salt, so it coats the cranberries more evenly. If you do not have it, regular granulated sugar still works.
- This recipe for cranberries coated in sugar works best with fresh berries. I don’t recommend using frozen ones.
Can I freeze sugared cranberries?
Yes and no. You can keep them in the freezer and snack on them straight from frozen, a few at a time. They would make a great garnish for ice cream by the way.
However, if you wanted to make a large batch, put them in the freezer and serve later at your party – thawed, then you can’t. The sugar would melt, and they would become soft.
Where to use sugared cranberries
These make a delicious snack and because of their festive look they are the perfect snack to add to your Christmas or New Year’s Eve appetizer menu. They go well alongside cocktails (any champagne cocktail would go great with these sugar candied cranberries).
Thread some on a cocktail stick and turn them into fancy looking garnish for your cocktail party!
Are you making a festive cake and looking for edible decoration ideas? What about using sugared cranberries and rosemary to garnish your cake?
Throw some on to a cheese board. They also look pretty scattered over pancakes, waffles, or French toast for a simple holiday breakfast.
How to make sugared cranberries
In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water. Simmer it on low until the sugar is melted completely. Stir from time to time. When ready, throw in cranberries and mix everything well.
You want to coat all the cranberries in this simple syrup. Then, you can use a slotted spoon to transfer them onto a wire rack. I recommend spreading them around as much as you can.
Many of them will be stuck together so try to separate at least some of them, if not all. This will help them get rid of the excess syrup.
It will take about 1 to 1.5 hours, but you can leave them on the rack longer if needed. Then, all you have to do is coat them in sugar. Use either a bowl or ziplock bag and you will have to work in stages.
I usually take about 5-7 and toss them in the bowl with sugar, then shake until I am happy with my sugared cranberries look. Repeat until you are done!
More cranberry recipe ideas
If you like using cranberries in recipes during the holiday season, you might like to try some of these tasty ideas:
Non-alcoholic mulled wine is perfect for kids as well as adults who don’t drink alcohol.
Cranberry panna cotta – A simple yet elegant dessert for any occasion.
Instant pot cranberry chicken is a delicious dinner that could be easily your Christmas dinner as well. Its creamy and rich sauce is the star of this dish so why not give it a go?
Dried berries are perfect for this cranberry chicken salad. And what about trying orange cranberry smoothie? Maybe not your traditional smoothie recipe, but it is a fun way to use cranberries and tastes great.
Sugared Cranberries
Ingredients
- 1¼ cup granulated sugar divided
- ¼ cup water
- 2 cups fresh cranberries see note 1
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine ¼ cup sugar with ¼ cup water. Simmer on low heat until the sugar has dissolved, stirring from time to time.
- Meanwhile, rinse the cranberries and remove any bruised or soft ones (these are more likely to be spoiled).
- When the simple syrup is ready (all sugar is dissolved), add in the cranberries and stir. You want to make sure that all of them are coated in the syrup.
- Transfer them onto a wire rack. Tip: Place a sheet of parchment paper underneath to catch any excess syrup and make cleanup easier. Spread the cranberries out and try to separate them, if possible. Let them sit at room temperature for 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Put the rest of the granulated sugar (1 cup) in a bowl and add some cranberries. Shake the bowl to coat them in sugar (do this in batches of about 6). Repeat until you have coated all the cranberries in sugar.
- You can serve them right away.
Notes
- Two cups fresh cranberries = 6 ounces (180 grams).
- Granulated sugar works for this recipe. For a more even coating, you can make your own superfine sugar by pulsing some of the granulated sugar in a food processor a few times until the crystals are smaller.
- The overall time does not include the passive time of 1 to 1.5 hours during which the cranberries are sitting at your kitchen counter.
After the second coating, they now look sugared! I’m excited to top my frozen dessert with the cranberries a a mint leaf. Thanks for the idea!
Hi Carolyn. Thanks so much for your feedback. I am glad to hear you got it sorted!
I tried making these as an accent for a frozen cranberry dessert. I left them on the rack longer than 1 1/2 hours and they are not holding the sugar. Any suggestions?
I’ve just made a batch of these to put in cocktails at my Christmas party. Some people like their cocktails a bit sweeter than I typically make them. These are the perfect solution.
That’s great to hear!
These sugared cranberries look so festive! Perfect for the holidays! :)
Thanks, Elena!
Wha-at? OMG I’m in love with this idea! I love cranberries and these look amazing! What a fabulous holiday treat -I can’t wait to try it!
Let me know what you think when you do!
These are absolutely perfect for the holidays. I love to use them as garnish for desserts.
Right? :)
These sugared cranberries look gorgeous! I’m going to use them on a spice cake.
Yay! That’s good to hear! :)