Description
Sparkling Christmas sugared cranberries with a delicate sugar coating, fresh tart centers, and a hint of orange and vanilla. Made using a gentle, no-boil cranberry soak.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cranberries
- 2 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed and sorted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 wide strips fresh orange zest, without white pith
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Sparkling Coating
- ¾ cup superfine sugar, plus extra if needed
- ½ teaspoon finely grated orange zest (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cranberries: Rinse the cranberries, discard soft or damaged berries, and gently pat dry.
- Make the Syrup: Combine granulated sugar and water in a saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring until dissolved. Remove from heat, add orange zest strips, and cool completely. Stir in vanilla.
- Soak the Cranberries: Place cranberries in a bowl and pour the cooled syrup over them. Stir gently, cover, and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
- Drain and Dry: Drain cranberries for 10 minutes, removing orange zest strips. Spread in a single layer on a wire rack or parchment paper. Air-dry for 30–60 minutes until slightly tacky.
- Add the Sugar Coating: Place superfine sugar in a shallow bowl. Mix with finely grated orange zest if desired. Roll cranberries in small batches until evenly coated, replacing damp sugar as needed.
- Let the Sugar Set: Transfer coated cranberries to parchment paper in a single layer. Let dry for 30–60 minutes until the coating sets.
- Serve: Arrange in a festive bowl or use to garnish cakes, desserts, and holiday drinks.
Notes
-
No-boil technique: Cool the syrup completely before adding cranberries to help prevent splitting.
-
Best cranberries: Use fresh, firm berries rather than frozen.
-
Sugar coating: Cranberries should be slightly tacky, not dripping wet, before rolling in sugar.
-
Make ahead: Soak the cranberries overnight and coat them the following day.
-
Storage: Best served the day they're coated. Refrigerate in a shallow container for up to 2 days, although the sugar coating may soften.
-
Leftover syrup: Strain, refrigerate promptly, and use within several days in sparkling water or holiday drinks.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American