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    Home » Recipes

    Published: Dec 21, 2022 by Sloane · Leave a Comment

    5 Ingredient Sugared Cranberries

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    These sugared cranberries require just 5 ingredients and are so easy to make! They're perfect for holiday cocktails, desserts, and more!

    sugared cranberries in white bowl with rosemary

    These sugared cranberries are absolutely stunning and make the perfect festive garnish for the holidays! Use them for cocktails, as a cake decoration, on a dessert charcuterie board... the options are endless! 

    For more holiday recipes, try meringue cookies, cranberry orange cake, and frosted eggnog cookies.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love these sugared cranberries
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Kitchen Equipment
    • Step by Step Instructions
    • Expert Baking Tips
    • FAQ
    • Storage Tips
    • Baking in Grams
    • Other holiday recipes to try
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why you'll love these sugared cranberries

    • Festive & Versatile: These sugared cranberries are so beautiful and add that festive touch to any type of cocktail or dessert.
    • Few Ingredients: You only need a handful of basic ingredients!
    • Quick & Easy Method: All you need to make these sugared cranberries is a saucepan and baking sheet! If you know how to turn on your stove, you'll nail this recipe. 
    sugared cranberries in bowl

    Ingredient Notes

    Ingredient quantities are listed in the recipe card below. Here you'll find notes on why I chose certain ingredients, as well as ingredient substitutions. 

    recipe ingredients

    Kitchen Equipment

    • Kitchen Scale
    • Saucepan
    • Baking Sheet
    • Parchment Paper

    Step by Step Instructions

    syrup in saucepan
    STEP 1
    cranberries added to syrup in saucepan
    STEP 2

    STEP 1: Bring the syrup to a simmer. In a medium saucepan, combine the orange juice, 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar, and salt. Place over medium heat and mix constantly until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a simmer or about 200 degrees F. 

    STEP 2: Soak the cranberries. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla and cranberries. Cover the saucepan with a lid, and allow to sit for about 10 minutes. Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the cranberries over a large measuring cup or bowl. Save the syrup for cocktails!

    candied cranberries on baking sheet
    STEP 3
    cranberries in bowl of sugar
    STEP 4

    STEP 3: Dry the cranberries. Spread the cranberries out on a parchment lined baking sheet, careful not to let them touch each other. Allow to dry at room temperature for about 1 hour. 

    STEP 4: Coat the cranberries in sugar. Lastly, add the remaining 100g (½ cup) of sugar to a bowl. Toss the cranberries in the sugar, and enjoy!

    Expert Baking Tips

    • Save the syrup. Be sure to strain the cranberries over a large measuring cup or bowl, and save the syrup for cocktails!
    • Don't let the cranberries touch. Place the cranberries on a parchment lined baking sheet spread out, or they will stick to each other as they dry.
    • Re-roll the cranberries in sugar as needed. Sugared cranberries are best the day they are made, but if it's essential to make them ahead of time, you can store them in the fridge then re-roll them in sugar before using.
    sugared cranberries and rosemary in bowl

    FAQ

    Can I substitute the orange juice?

    Yes, you can use an equal amount of water, if you'd prefer.

    Can I use frozen cranberries?

    Though I have not tried it myself, I believe they should work just fine! Just be sure to let them thaw completely before soaking in the syrup.

    Storage Tips

    Store sugared cranberries in the fridge for up to 3 days. They are best the day they are made, but if it's essential to make them ahead of time, you can store them in the fridge then re-roll them in sugar before using.

    close-up of sugared cranberries

    Baking in Grams

    All of the recipes on this blog are carefully developed to create incredibly delicious baked goods that you can easily recreate in your own kitchen with success. The only way this is possible is to standardize the way ingredients are measured - by weight. Volume measurements are extremely inaccurate and leave room for significant errors. Not all measuring cups are made equally, so your one cup of flour will be different from my one cup of flour. By providing precise measurements in grams (aside from minor ingredients, which are given in tsp/tbsp), I can ensure that you can make the recipe accurately and with less cleanup! All you need is this kitchen scale. 

    If this still isn't enough to convince you, I have provided volume measurements in the recipe card. If you are interested in understanding the conversions, this is the best conversion chart.

    But trust me, once you try baking in grams you'll never turn back!

    Happy baking! x

    sugared cranberries in bowl next to wine glasses

    Other holiday recipes to try

    • Nutella Star Bread
    • Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
    • Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blossoms
    • Spiced Apple Pie Cookies

    If you tried this recipe, I'd love to know how it turned out for you! Leave a star rating & review below and post a picture (or video!) on Instagram and tag me so I can see your bakes! Not ready to make this recipe yet? Click the heart button on the right of your screen to save it for later 🙂

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    📖 Recipe

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    sugared cranberries in white bowl with rosemary

    5 Ingredient Sugared Cranberries

    • Author: Sloane
    • Prep Time: 30 minutes
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 2 cups sugared cranberries 1x
    • Category: holiday recipes
    • Method: baking
    • Cuisine: American
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    Description

    These sugared cranberries require just 5 ingredients and are so easy to make! They're perfect for holiday cocktails, desserts, and more!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 200g (1 cup) fresh orange juice
    • 300g (1 ½ cups) granulated sugar, divided 
    • 1 tsp kosher salt
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract 
    • 200g (2 cups) fresh cranberries

    Instructions

    1. In a medium saucepan, combine the orange juice, 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar, and salt. Place over medium heat and mix constantly until the sugar dissolves. 
    2. Bring the mixture to a simmer or about 200 degrees F. 
    3. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla and cranberries. Cover the saucepan with a lid, and allow to sit for about 10 minutes. 
    4. Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the cranberries over a large measuring cup or bowl. Save the syrup for cocktails!
    5. Spread the cranberries out on a parchment lined baking sheet, careful not to let them touch each other. Allow to dry at room temperature for about 1 hour. 
    6. Lastly, add the remaining 100g (½ cup) of sugar to a bowl. Toss the cranberries in the sugar, and enjoy!

    Notes

    • Save the syrup. Be sure to strain the cranberries over a large measuring cup or bowl, and save the syrup for cocktails!
    • Don't let the cranberries touch. Place the cranberries on a parchment lined baking sheet spread out, or they will stick to each other as they dry.
    • Re-roll the cranberries in sugar as needed. Sugared cranberries are best the day they are made, but if it's essential to make them ahead of time, you can store them in the fridge then re-roll them in sugar before using. 

    Keywords: sugared cranberries

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    Hi, I'm Sloane! Welcome to Sloane’s Table! I am a Dartmouth College alumna, professional baker, recipe developer, and food photographer. Here, you will find trust-worthy recipes of baked goods ranging from easy & indulgent, bakery-worthy, and simple & healthyish.

    Learn more about me →

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