Sparkling Sugared Cranberries - Easy Holiday Recipe

Get ready to add a little sparkle to your holiday season with sugared cranberries! These delightful little gems, sometimes called candied cranberries or sparkling cranberries, are the ultimate sweet-tart garnish and snack. With just three simple ingredients – fresh cranberries, water, and sugar in cranberry form – you can create a show-stopping treat that tastes as good as it looks.
So, what exactly are cranberries with sugar? You’ll simmer a simple syrup, soak fresh cranberries until they're perfectly coated, let them dry until tacky, then roll them in granulated sugar for a crisp, sparkly shell. They're an absolute game-changer for dessert recipes with cranberries or any holiday spread, offering a vibrant pop of color and flavor that everyone loves. This recipe is your ticket to making dazzling sweets to make at home, perfect for both beginners and seasoned bakers looking for a simple, yet impressive dessert to make.

Ingredients

• Core Ingredients
• Fresh Cranberries: Look for firm, bright red berries with no soft spots. You’ll need about 12 ounces (or approximately 3 cups). Fresh is key here; frozen just won’t give you the same results!
• Granulated Sugar: This is your MVP! You’ll use it to make the simple syrup and then again for the gorgeous, sparkling coating. Granulated sugar’s crystal size is perfect for creating that classic crisp texture and brilliant sparkle.
• Water: Plain tap water or filtered water works perfectly for your simple syrup base.
• Optional Flavor Boosts (Brief, No Extra Methods)
• Orange Zest / Peel: A strip of orange rind or a teaspoon of zest added to the simmering syrup can infuse a lovely citrus note.
• Vanilla: A small piece of vanilla bean simmered in the syrup or a splash of vanilla extract (added after the syrup cooks) can add warm, comforting depth.
• Fresh Rosemary: For a festive touch, toss a sprig or two with the finished sugared cranberries just before serving. It adds a beautiful aroma and a "frosted pine needle" look.

Directions

1. Sort and Rinse the Cranberries First things first, give your cranberries a good rinse under cool water. While you’re doing this, pick out any berries that are soft, shriveled, or bruised. We want only the best for our sparkling treats! After rinsing, gently pat them dry with a paper towel. This helps ensure the syrup can cling effectively without being thinned out by extra water.
2. Make the Simple Syrup In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved. The syrup should look clear and smooth, with no visible sugar grains at the bottom. If you’re using optional flavor boosts like orange zest or a vanilla bean piece, add them to the syrup while it’s hot to let them infuse.
3. Soak the Cranberries Carefully pour the hot simple syrup over your sorted and rinsed cranberries in a heat-safe bowl. Give them a gentle stir to make sure every single berry is thoroughly coated in the sweet liquid. Let them steep in the syrup for about 10 to 15 minutes. During this time, the cranberries will absorb some of the sweetness and might appear slightly darker and shinier.
4. Dry Until Tacky Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the cranberries from the syrup to a parchment-lined baking sheet or a cooling rack. Arrange them in a single layer, making sure they aren't touching each other. Now comes the waiting game! Let them air dry at room temperature until they feel "tacky." What does tacky mean? They should look shiny and feel sticky if you lightly touch one, but you shouldn't see any puddles of syrup underneath. This drying process typically takes anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes, depending heavily on the humidity in your kitchen. A humid environment will take longer.
5. Roll in Sugar Once your cranberries are perfectly tacky, it’s time for the sparkle! Pour about 1/2 cup of fresh granulated sugar into a shallow bowl. Working in small batches (a handful at a time works great), gently add the cranberries to the sugar and toss them until each berry is fully coated. Don't be afraid to get your hands in there if needed! A pro tip: gently tap off any excess sugar before transferring them. This prevents clumps of sugar from forming on your drying tray.
6. Let the Coating Set Return the freshly sugared cranberries to a clean sheet of parchment paper, again spreading them in a single layer. Let them sit at room temperature for another 30 to 60 minutes, or until the outer sugar shell feels dry and crisp to the touch. This step is crucial for achieving that delightful crunchy coating and ensuring they hold their sparkle. Once set, they're ready to enjoy!