Sugared Cranberries

Name: Sugared Cranberries
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1/3 cup granulated sugar

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These sparkling berries are the best decoration for Thanksgiving pies, cakes, cocktails, and more.

By

Greg Lofts

Published on October 28, 2024

Sugared cranberries — Photo:
David Malosh

Prep Time:

5 mins

Total Time:

40 mins

Servings:

8 to 10

Yield:

1 cup

Sugared cranberries are the ultimate holiday dessert decoration. Use them on yule logs, gingerbread cheesecake, pumpkin pie, and especially atop our Cranberry Chiffon Pie. Try them with waffles, French toast, or pancakes for a special breakfast. We also like adding a few to festive cocktails or holiday punch. Our recipe makes enough to decorate one nine-inch pie or cake or to finish a party's worth of cocktails. The sparkling berries take a minute to cook then, they sit in the sugar syrup off the heat for five minutes before you toss them in sanding sugar and let them dry. The result is glistening jewels that will embellish breakfast, dessert, or drinks this festive season.

Make Ahead

Sugared cranberries are best served the day they are made, but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Toss them in more sanding sugar to fully coat before serving, if necessary.

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Ingredients

1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 ounces cranberries
1/2 cup fine or coarse sanding sugar (or a combination of both)

Directions

Combine sugar and water; add cranberries and cook:

In a small saucepan, bring granulated sugar and ½ cup water to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Stir in cranberries, reduce heat to low, and cook just until cranberries swell and begin to crack (do not let them burst), about 1 minute.
Cool cranberries in syrup, then strain:

Remove from heat; let cool in syrup 5 minutes. Strain cranberries (discard or reserve syrup for another use).
Roll cranberries in sugar; let dry:

Place sanding sugar on a plate and roll cranberries in it to evenly coat. Let stand until cranberries dry and sugar coating sets before using, about 30 minutes.