Sugared cranberries are delicious, easy to make, and look beautiful on top of cakes, breads, salads, and cocktails! Follow this recipe to whip up a quick batch of sugared cranberries for yourself or to use as gifts for the holidays.
Something about cooler temperatures makes me want to eat allllllll of the carbohydrates! If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile now, then you know I’ve been eating a ketogenic diet the last 10 months and sugary carbs aren’t on the menu. As a result of my new lifestyle, I don’t make baked goods for the family the way I used to. My boys are missing our typical holiday treats and asked me to bake a pie, or make some pumpkin bread, or a cake, or something—anything!
This fall has been unusually busy with several out of town trips and time-consuming commitments. With more creativity than time, I’m always looking for quick little hacks that make life easier! Consider sugared cranberries your perfect sweet treat food hack.
How to Use Sugared Cranberries
Sugared cranberries taste amazing on their own, but they also are great to have on hand for the holidays. Here are several ways to use sugared cranberries:
- Dress up store-bought baked good in seconds by topping with a few cranberries.
- Add pizzazz to a salad with walnuts, goat cheese, and a balsamic vinaigrette.
- Add a few sugared cranberries to the bottom of a champagne glass, or on a toothpick over your cocktail.
- Top a toasted baguette with cream cheese spread and a few cranberries for a quick and beautiful hors d’oeuvres.
- Garnish ham slices or pork tenderloin with a few cranberries for a delicious sweet and savory dinner.
- Place cranberries in gift boxes lined with parchment paper and gift to friends and neighbors.
How Long do Sugared Cranberries Last?
The cranberries taste so good and are so addictive that you may eat them all before needing to ask this question! Typically when stored in single layers between parchment paper they will last for four days in an airtight container stored in a cool dry place. They do not need to be refrigerated. They may last more or less time depending on how well they dried out before storing and depending on the humidity levels of your area.
How to Make Sugared Cranberries
All you need to do to make sugared cranberries is make simple syrup, soak the cranberries in the mixture overnight, toss in sanding sugar, and dry! Print the recipe below and enjoy!
Easy Sugared Cranberries Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups sugar
- 1 ¾ cups water
- 5 drops food grade orange essential oil (optional)
- 3 cups, or 12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries
- 12 ounces sanding sugar
Instructions
- Stir 2 ½ cups of sugar, water, and (optional) orange essential oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Do not boil. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved and liquid is clear. Remove from heat.
- Pour in cranberries and stir until cranberries are completely covered. Place small salad plate directly on the cranberries to keep them submerged in saucepan. Cover the pan and place in the refrigerator overnight.
- Strain cranberries in a colander. Simple syrup liquid can be reserved for future use in cocktails if desired.
- Pour sanding sugar in a rimmed dish and using a slotted spoon place a few cranberries into the sugar at a time. Stir around until completely coated and transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet to dry.
- Allow sugar to become hard on the outside of the cranberries before storing, approximately an hour to 1 1/2 hrs.
- Store in airtight container in single layers for up to 5 days.
https://www.homestoriesatoz.com/recipes/easy-sugared-cranberries-recipe.html
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups sugar
- 1 ¾ cups water
- 5 drops food grade orange essential oil (optional)
- 3 cups, or 12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries
- 12 ounces sanding sugar
Instructions
- Stir 2 ½ cups of sugar, water, and (optional) orange essential oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Do not boil. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved and liquid is clear. Remove from heat.
- Pour in cranberries and stir until cranberries are completely covered. Place small salad plate directly on the cranberries to keep them submerged in saucepan. Cover the pan and place in the refrigerator overnight.
- Strain cranberries in a colander. Simple syrup liquid can be reserved for future use in cocktails if desired.
- Pour sanding sugar in a rimmed dish and using a slotted spoon place a few cranberries into the sugar at a time. Stir around until completely coated and transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet to dry.
- Allow sugar to become hard on the outside of the cranberries before storing, approximately an hour to 1 1/2 hrs.
- Store in airtight container in single layers for up to 5 days.
The cranberries are tart in the middle and sweet on the outside and create a delicious pop in your mouth when chewed! As I expected, I indulged in way too many of them and was reminded why I don’t make delicious sugary treats! And because they are so beautiful here are a few more pictures of how beautiful they are on a store bought cake from the grocery store.
Related Recipes
If you liked this post, then you might enjoy these fall recipes:
- 18 Fall Recipes for Your Sweet Tooth
- 11 Delicious & Easy Pumpkin Recipes for Fall
- 30 Favorite Pumpkin Recipes Bloggers Love
- 20 Fall Apple Recipes