I can’t remember where I stumbled on sugared cranberries first, but it was probably years ago in the pages of a Food Network magazine or something. These sparkly winter jewels add such a festive touch to any dessert that I can’t resist making them at least once or twice each holiday season. They were the perfect choice for decorating my cranberry coconut cake. I’m really not much of a decorator when it comes to fancy piping or design, but these sugared cranberries make everything look fancy without hardly any effort. If you love cranberry desserts like we do, don’t miss my fresh cranberry shortbread bars, which are a perfect addition to any cookie plate! Or pair cranberries with apples in a cranberry apple pie with a sweet-tart filling inside a buttery, flaky crust! And my kids and I will pop them like candy. They’re pretty impossible to resist.
What you’ll Need
It just takes 3 simple ingredients to make sugared cranberries: white granulated sugar, water, and cranberries. If you want to make sugared rosemary as well, then you will just need a few sprigs of fresh rosemary from the garden or store.
How to make sugared cranberries
What can I use sugar-coated cranberries for?
Sugared cranberries look like they’re covered in the cold frosts of winter, making them the perfect garnish for your holiday desserts like a cranberry coconut cake or a gingerbread cupcake with eggnog buttercream! But don’t forget about Thanksgiving though as sugared cranberries on a pumpkin pie can really help to have them stand out on that buffet table of nearly identical pies. Of course, the more obvious use of a garnish for these sugar-coated cranberries is on the top of a bowl full of homemade cranberry jello salad.
Can I freeze these sugared cranberries?
Yes, you can freeze them, but if you allow them to thaw, you’ll notice the sugar dissolves and they will get sticky again. So once they begin to do this, run them through some more sugar to coat them and use as desired. I also recommend freezing them on a flat baking sheet before transferring to an airtight container like a Ziploc bag, otherwise they will clump together.
More cranberry recipes you’ll love
Cranberry Orange Pull-Apart Monkey Bread Homemade Cranberry Sauce White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies Cranberry Orange Muffins
Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars
Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping
Easy Cranberry Apple Pie
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