Simple 3-Ingredient Sugared Cranberries

Last Updated on October 10, 2019

These simple sugared cranberries are perfect for snacking, adding to other recipes and drinks, and even  holiday decorations for tables. Plus, this is a fun recipe for kids! Here’s how to make sugared cranberries (sometimes called candied cranberries) using just three ingredients!

I made this as a quick sugared cranberry treat one year for Christmas and my daughter fell in love with them. They’re the perfect mix between tart and sweet! 

Now, she asks if we can make them every year.

I’ve also made a holiday cake with sugared cranberries using this recipe and it was a huge hit!

(See the pic after the recipe!)

And, it’s perfect if you have leftover cranberries from the holidays and you’re wondering what to do with extra cranberries.

(You can even use these for sugared cranberries champagne or other drinks!)

If you’re looking for cranberry recipes or a cranberry dessert for the holidays, Christmas, parties, or even an easy snack, add this to your list.

 

Sugar Cranberries Tip

The success to this cranberry recipe is the drying time. 

After you “cook” the cranberries, they will need to dry in order to form  a “sticky” coating. This is what the sugar will stick to.

I use two drying racks, crisscrossed so that the cranberries don’t fall through to the counter and the air can still circulate around them.

 

Wait…can you eat sugared cranberries?

Yes, you can eat sugared cranberries. They’re not just for decoration! However, you probably don’t want to eat raw cranberries. Not only are cranberries very tart when they are not sweetened, they are also very acidic for your teeth. (Plus, they just don’t taste that great when they’re not cooked.

 

How long can you keep sugared cranberries?

You can store sugared cranberries in an airtight container (we just use a resealable plastic bag). Be sure to store them in a cool, dry place. Storing the sugared cranberries this way will make them last for us to a week.

 

Can I freeze sugared cranberries?

You can store cranberries (before they are “sugared” in the refrigerator for around two weeks. 

How long will cranberries keep in the freezer?

You can freeze cranberries for up to a year. However, I wouldn’t freeze sugared cranberries.

Once you thaw the cranberries, you may find some of the sugar “melting” off.

Instead, freeze the cranberries before they are “sugared” and then sugar them after they are defrosted.

 

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Sugared Cranberries Recipe paired with How Cranberries Grow

If you want to make this into a fun cooking projects with the kids, then you definitely want to talk about cranberries harvest.

I think your kids will have fun learning about how cranberries grow and how they are harvested.

We love Time for Cranberries by Lisl H. Detlefsen and illustrated by Jed Henry.

From the book:

From the cranberry bog to the Thanksgiving table, join Sam and his family as they harvest a classic American fruit.

 

When the vines hang heavy with berries that the autumn winds have turned deep red, it’s time for cranberries, and Sam is finally old enough to help with the harvest!

 

This charming, lyrical picture book follows Sam and his family as they raise the water in the bog, pick the cranberries, and gather the fruit for processing.

 

It’s a story of modern family farming in action, showing readers where their food comes from but mostly delighting them along the way.

 

Listed Age Range: 4-7 years

 

 

 

How to Make Sugared Cranberries

Yield: 2 cups

Easy Sugared Cranberries Recipe

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These easy sugared cranberries only use three ingredients! These will quickly become a favorite holiday recipe!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 package (12 ounce) fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups sugar

Instructions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.
2. Add cranberries and stir until all cranberries are completely wet and coated.
3. Transfer cranberries to wire drying racks using a slotted spoon. Let sit for 30 minutes or until cranberries are dry, but sticky, to touch.
4. Add remaining sugar to a resealable plastic bag. Working in batches, carefully spoon sticky cranberries (a couple of spoonfuls at a time) into the bag. Seal the bag and gently shake the cranberries until they are completely covered with sugar. Transfer them back to the racks for drying, around 30 minutes. Repeat process until all cranberries are used.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 133 Total Fat: 0g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 1mg Carbohydrates: 34g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 34g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 0g

Nutrition information is estimated. Changes to the recipe and use of different brands may cause changes to the nutritional information to vary slightly from the ones provided here.

 

 

Cranberry Orange Cake with Sugared Cranberries

Here’s the cake I decorated with the sugared cranberries.

It’s so sparkly and festive, right?