How to make sparkling sugared cranberries for holiday desserts!
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As the holidays creep in closer, we home bakers are getting busier by the day. From Thanksgiving pies to Christmas cakes and New Year’s treats, it’s almost a miracle that we can get anything done! We have to find time to create marvelous desserts and entrees, while trying to keep up with the other holiday activities, and not to mention, the chaos that comes with daily life. It’s in chaotic times like this that easy, yet stunning, recipes really come in handy. One of my favorite easy holiday recipes is this one for simple Sugared Cranberries!
Among all those complicated and intricate holiday recipes, these sugared cranberries are a sigh of relief! They’re quick and easy to make, and add an unbeatable sparkly glitz to any homemade treat! Who would’ve thought that something so simple could make such a big impact and steal the show at the Christmas food table?! These sugared cranberries are the perfect pastry decoration for the entire holiday season but they also happen to be delightful snacks all on their own! I dare you to make a batch of these sugary beauties without sneaking a few for a light sweet snack.
To make a batch of sugared cranberries, all you need is: some cranberries, sugar, water, a baking sheet, paper towels, a silicone spatula, and a small saucepan. First, wash the cranberries and line a baking sheet with paper towels. Next, combine the water and some sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue to cook and stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let the sugar syrup cool completely. After cooling, dip the cranberries into the sugar syrup, then transfer them to the lined baking sheet. Then, a few at a time, roll the cranberries around in a bowl filled with the remaining sugar to coat them completely. Once fully coated, let the sugared cranberries dry completely on a baking sheet lined with dry paper towels.
Simple Sugaring Equipment
To make these simple sugared cranberries, you don’t need a lot of equipment. As a matter of fact, you just need a few common kitchen tools that you probably already have stocked up in your kitchen.
Sweet Sugared Cranberry Ingredients
As for the ingredients? Well you only need 2 of them along with just some plain ole’ water! Seriously, this recipe could not be more simple! Here’s what you need:
- 2 cup Fresh cranberries
- ¼ cup Sugar
- ¼ cup Water
- ½ cup Sugar – for the final coat
How to Make Dazzling Sugared Cranberries
Now it’s time to get down to the sugary business at hand, making these delightful cranberry treats! This is a really simple process that should only take a few minutes to do. Which means you’ll have plenty of time leftover to finish up that last minute gift wrapping!
- First, wash the cranberries under cold water.
- Then, line a baking sheet with some paper towels.
- Next, combine the water and ¼ cup of sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Heat and stir the mixture with a silicone spatula until the ingredients are completely combined and the sugar is dissolved.
- Then, let the sugar syrup cool entirely.
- Pour ½ cup of sugar into a mixing bowl.
- Next, dip the cranberries into the sugar syrup and then transfer them to the lined baking sheet.
- Finally, roll the cranberries around, a few at a time, in the mixing bowl with the remaining sugar to completely coat them. Once they are fully coated, let the sugared cranberries dry on the baking sheet, lined with dry paper towels, before using as a pastry decoration.
More Christmas Recipes
Storing Sugared Cranberries
To store sugared cranberries: transfer the coated berries to an airtight container lined with dry paper towels. Keep the berries in a cool, dry place for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Always label the date on the outside of the container to keep up with freshness.
Serving Sweet Sensations
Want to see how gorgeous these sugared cranberries look on a finished pastry? Then head over and check out my Christmas Chocolate Bundt Cake! This mouth-watering chocolate on chocolate cake looks magnificent topped with sugared rosemary and these easy sugared cranberries! Looking for even more easy cake topper recipes for other occasions and holidays throughout the whole year? Here are some of my, and my family’s, favorite dessert toppings:
- Homemade Lollipops
- Toasted Pecans
- Toasted Coconut Flakes
- Homemade Mini Chocolate Bars
- Mini Chocolate Bars with Sprinkles
- Mini Mermaid Chocolate Bars
- Chocolate Mermaid Tails
- Homemade Star-Shaped Chocolates
- Chocolate Hearts and Lips
- Chocolate Seashells
Sugared cranberries
Ingredients
- 2 cup Fresh cranberries washed
- ¼ cup Sugar
- ¼ cup Water
- ½ cup Sugar for the final coat
Instructions
- First, wash the cranberries under cold water.
- Then, line a baking sheet with some paper towels.
- Next, combine the water and ¼ cup of sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Heat and stir the mixture with a silicone spatula until the ingredients are completely combined and the sugar is dissolved.
- Then, let the sugar syrup cool entirely.
- Pour ½ cup of sugar into a mixing bowl.
- Next, dip the cranberries into the sugar syrup and then transfer them to the lined baking sheet.
- Finally, roll the cranberries around, a few at a time, in the mixing bowl with the remaining sugar to completely coat them. Once they are fully coated, let the sugared cranberries dry on the baking sheet, lined with dry paper towels, before using as a pastry decoration.
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