If you have never tried making sugared cranberries before, you’re definitely in for a sweet treat. I always found the thought of making them quite intimidating. This is not the case though. Did you know that they are incredibly easy to make? Making sugared cranberries for the holidays is so simple with just two ingredients and so impressive, too! They are raw cranberries that have been steeped in a simple syrup and then rolled in granulated sugar. That’s it!
The Recipe
I’m sure you have seen these beautiful cranberries garnishing all sorts of holiday dishes, desserts, and the occasional cocktail. With minimal effort, you, too, can make all of your own creations quite impressive! Even though the effort is minimal in making these cranberries, I do recommend that you make these ahead of time as they do require some time for drying. Thank you so much for inspiring me to make this wonderful recipe, Megan from A Dash of Megnut. All of your tips and tricks will make for a wonderful holiday season!
The Ingredients
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 Cup Water
2 Cups Fresh Cranberries
1 Cup Granulated Sugar (For Rolling)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing Simple Syrup
In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water. Heat over medium heat for three to four minutes, making sure to stir occasionally, until sugar is completely dissolved. Bring to a simmer and let cook an additional two to three minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let cool for at least fifteen minutes.
Also, in case you were wondering what to do with the leftover simple syrup, you can always use it for another recipe. It’s perfect for sweetening cocktails as well as flavoring coffees.
Drying the Cranberries
Next, pour the cranberries into the simple syrup and stir to make sure they are completely coated. Allow them to soak for about thirty minutes. Then remove cranberries with a slotted spoon and let dry on a wire rack with a piece of parchment paper under it to catch any drops of simple syrup. The parchment paper will make for easy cleanup. Let dry for an hour or until cranberries are dry to the touch but tacky.
Sugaring the Cranberries
Add one cup of granulated sugar to a bowl, plate, or small baking sheet. In batches, roll cranberries in the granulated sugar until they are completely covered. Repeat this process with the remaining cranberries. Let dry for at least an hour, or until completely dry to the touch.
In regard to storing sugar cranberries, you can keep them in an airtight container for about a week before they start wilting. Just keep them in a cool place. They’ll also keep in the refrigerator for a few days, but you will find that some of the sugar tends to melt a bit that way.
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