This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Bright red and sparkling, Sugared Cranberries belong on every holiday table. Super simple to make and even simpler to pop in your mouth for a little sweet/tart snack. A stunning garnish to many holiday dishes and cocktails….almost too pretty to eat!

Sugared Cranberries in a white bowl with a red plaid napkin in the background.

Sugared Cranberries

I love sparkles….shiny, pretty, glittery things that make me smile. I’m like a bird, I’m drawn to tinsel, glitter, baubles and sugared cranberries. I’ve always had a thing for sugared fruit but always bought the styrofoam stuff at various home decor stores during the holidays. I think it’s beautiful…and magical.

It seems like such a great concept. Roll fruit around in a big bowl of sugar and then eat it….WHY NOT?

So, I finally did it. I started small but small is good. Really good. Like a box of natural Sweet-Tarts just waiting to be opened, these vanilla Sugared Cranberries are like natures holiday gift to you. These little gems are amazing and surprisingly addictive. I always see these in magazines as a garnish to much more complex recipes. But this Vanilla Sugared Cranberries recipe is so easy and you can make them up to 2 days in advance.

What are Sugared Cranberries

Sugared Cranberries are such a treat, they’re essentially candied cranberries and made much the same way you’d make other candied fruits. Dating back to, well, I don’t even know when….these little sparkling beauties were around before wax fruit was in fashion.

They’re fantastic for garnish cocktails, desserts or piled high in a bowl for a simple, yet festive, centerpiece. String them with some popcorn and hand on your treat for a simple decoration your cat will LOVE to nibble on. Or not.

Sugared cranberries on a cooling rack on a white background.

Ingredients For Sugared Cranberries

The ingredient list for sugar cranberries is short…..and sweet. I like puns. 

Cranberries – Fresh only, you need them to be raw and uncooked in order for this recipe to be successful. Discard any mushy or dimpled cranberries.

Water – Plain and simple.

Granulated sugar – I use white granulated sugar….I bet you have it in your pantry, right now. Don’t use caster or superfine sugar as it is too fine and will just melt into the syrup on the cranberries. You need the bigger granules to achieve maximum sparkle.

Vanilla – Vanilla extract is used for this recipe but you can totally skip it if you prefer. 

Sugared cranberries in a white bowl on a white background with evergreen fronds

How To Make Sugared Cranberries

  1. You start by making an easy vanilla simple syrup with sugar, water and…..vanilla.
  2. Toss the cranberries in the syrup and let them steep for a bit. But not too long or they’ll start to pop open. 
  3. Transfer the cranberries to a wire rack to dry.
  4. Toss the cranberries in the sugar.
  5. Transfer to a baking sheet to dry completely.

How To Serve Sugared Cranberries

Sugared Cranberries look spectacular in or around a cocktail….on top of a cake or cupcake, next to the turkey in a little glass bowl, on top of your spectacularly easy cranberry jelly or this gorgeous (and easy) cocktail. These NEED to be on your holiday table this year. I’m dead serious.

If you’re not making dinner this year and visiting someone else’s home for the holiday, take a little jar of these as a little gift. You know the person in the kitchen is a little stressed out, these will help calm the nerves….especially if you hand over a bottle of champagne or wine with them.

 They will love you forever…..and then burn the turkey because they chugged that bottle of champagne when nobody was looking. But that’s ok….we’re all there for the side dishes. Am I right?

Sugared cranberries in a weck tulip jar with a blue background.

More Easy Cranberry Recipes

If you like these easy Sugared Cranberries, make sure you try these AMAZING Cranberry Brie Bites!!!  They’re like little pillows of heaven. And super simple to make.

Or make the best ever Cranberry Sauce, it’s so easy and ready in minutes.

FOR MORE EASY RECIPES, FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK!

Sugared Cranberries Recipe

5 from 6 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Elegant and sweet, these Sugared Cranberries are lightly scented with vanilla.

Equipment

  • 1 saucepan

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup granulated sugar plus extra for coating
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries

Instructions 

  • In a large saucepan, bring the water, sugar and vanilla to a simmer stirring until dissolved.
  • Turn off the heat and add the cranberries tossing with a wooden spoon to coat. Allow the cranberries to sit in the simple syrup for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack.
  • Allow the cranberries to dry for 20-30 minutes.
  • Pour some sugar in a shallow dish and roll the cranberries in the sugar to coat completely.
  • Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment and allow to dry completely, approximately 1 hour.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 48 hours.

Notes

Sugared Cranberries are best served within 3 days. 

Nutrition

Serving: 0g, Calories: 451kcal, Carbohydrates: 113g, Protein: 0g, Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 9mg, Potassium: 85mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 104g, Vitamin A: 60IU, Vitamin C: 13.3mg, Calcium: 8mg, Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this recipe?Leave a comment below!

Free email guide

Your “Healthy-ish” Meal Plan
Healthy meals don’t have to be difficult. Let me show you.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating:




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

29 Comments

  1. Lori says:

    What can I do with the syrup? It taste so good!

    1. Kellie says:

      You can add it to your coffee or use in cocktails.

  2. LC in UP says:

    And the leftover vanilla simple syrup is awesome for adult and kid drinks@@

    1. Kellie says:

      Great idea!

  3. Renae says:

    Love these!!

    1. Kellie says:

      Thank you! They’re fun to make, too.

  4. Kristen says:

    I made these last night as a trial run before giving as gifts. They turned out awesome, but when I put them in a container with a lid, they started sweating inside the container and the sugar began to slide off the cranberries. Is there something that I may have done wrong or something I could do to keep them looking freshly coated and pretty to be able to give these as small gifts?

    1. Kellie says:

      You definitely can’t close them up in an airtight container until they’re totally dry. I leave them out overnight before wrapping up.

  5. Aline says:

    Can you do this recipe with frozen cranberries, if so, what would be the steps? Do you thaw them first or just leave them longer in the syrup? Will they still keep 48 hrs in the refrigerator.

    1. Kellie says:

      I don’t think it will work with frozen but you can certainly give it a try!

    2. Keri says:

      I made mine with cranberries I froze myself. They were perfect. I placed my berries in a bowl of cold water to thaw while making the syrup. They still pop and have a wonderful texture. I also added a little cinnamon.

      1. Kellie says:

        Sounds delicious! I never tried them with frozen cranberries so thank you for sharing.

  6. Patty Cook says:

    Do they need to be kept in the refrigerator?

    1. Kellie says:

      They should be refrigerated.

  7. Brandee says:

    When do you put in the vanilla?

    1. Kellie says:

      With the water and sugar. Sorry, recipe has been updated…thank you so much for asking!

    2. Cheryl Mohrbacher says:

      How long can these be stored?

      1. Kellie says:

        Only about 48 hours, they will start to soften after that.

  8. Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com says:

    Wow so easy! making them for a dessert I have in mind!