Tart And Tangy Sugared Cranberries

It’s been years since I’ve made sugared cranberries, and after spending an hour rolling cranberries in superfine sugar, I think I remember why! The recipe really is easy, and they are so pretty and tasty the extra time in the kitchen is worth it. These would make a great hostess gift or appetizer for a New Year’s Eve party or New Year’s Day brunch.

I use an old Cooking Light recipe that basically calls for equal parts fresh cranberries, water and granulated sugar, plus superfine sugar for dusting the berries. I wanted enough to give to friends, so I used two bags of fresh berries (about 6 cups of berries). I was afraid my pot wouldn’t hold 6 cups of water and 6 cups of berries, so I cut the water and sugar back to 5 cups each.

  • Rinse and drain fresh cranberries, picking out any bad ones.
  • Add water to a large pot, add an equal amount of sugar, and heat over low heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid is clear. (This may take a long time.)
  • Bring the liquid to a simmer, but don’t let it boil because that will be too hot for the cranberries.
  • Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cranberries.

Sugared Cranberries - First Steps

Cover and store in the refrigerator overnight.

Sugared Cranberries (soaking)

Scoop out the berries and drain in a colander Save the cranberry sugar water to use in cocktails, lemonade or iced tea.

Cranberry Sugar Water

Pour superfine sugar into a dish and roll the cranberries to coat with a light dusting of sugar.

Superfine (Caster) Sugar

(I found superfine sugar labeled as “caster sugar” in the baking section)

Sugared Cranberries

Let the coated berries dry thoroughly (for 1-2 hours) before packing into containers lined with parchment paper.

Aren’t they pretty?

They are great as a festive appetizer, or a garnish for lemonade or champagne!

 

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8 Responses to Tart And Tangy Sugared Cranberries

  1. christineyu69776410 says:

    These look delicious. I've always meant to make them but haven't tried yet. Maybe for New Years?

  2. PrayersNApples says:

    No worries on the email thing – I've had more than a few technical gliches trying to "fix" things on my blog lol 🙂 🙂 …The sugared cranberries look good! I made a cranberry jam with homemade corn muffins for last Thanksgiving (that was my first cranberry experience – besides those little boxes of dried cranberries lol)

  3. lgsmash says:

    great idea!! super cute!

  4. So pretty! I bought fresh cranberries without a plan for how to use them. Just pinned this!

  5. Carrie says:

    These are beautiful. I've never thought of that or even seen them, but they sound amazing. I need to find the right occasion and I'm totally making them. YUM!!!

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