Viral Candied Cranberries Recipe
Published Dec 11, 2024
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Candied Cranberries aren’t just a festive garnish—they’re a versatile, sweet-tart snack, an eye-catching dessert topper, and even a thoughtful edible gift during cranberry season. These easy, sugared cranberries are simple to make and are easily customizable, so you can enjoy them as a healthier option or indulge in their sweet charm during the holiday season.
Why You’ll Love These Candied Cranberries
These healthier homemade sugar-coated cranberries are delightfully easy to make, requiring only a handful of basic ingredients and a couple of simple steps. You’ll love how customizable it is, with options for low-sugar sweeteners or traditional powdered sugar to suit your preference.
The frosted, glistening appearance of these candied cranberries is a lovely feature to any dish, making them the ideal addition to your holiday dessert table. These sparkling cranberries can be used to dress up cakes, pumpkin pie tarts, or a charcuterie board for a refined touch, or try them as a beautiful garnish on a festive cocktail!
Ingredient Notes
Soaking the cranberries in Crisp Apple Olipop infuses them with fruity sweetness, while low-sugar options like powdered monk fruit provide a healthier alternative. A quick bake sets the coating perfectly, ensuring a frosted, crunchy finish every time!
The contrast of the tart cranberries and the crunchy sugar coating makes these cranberry jewels a delightful treat and the perfect garnish for any holiday dish.
- Fresh Whole Cranberries: Look for firm, plump berries that are bright red and free of blemishes.
- Crisp Apple Olipop or Sparkling Apple Juice: These add a subtle apple flavor enhance the cranberries’ natural tartness. Crisp Apple Olipop is a great choice for a healthier, low-sugar option.
- Powdered Sweetener Options:
- Powdered Sugar: This creates a classic frosted look with a touch of caramelized sweetness and real sugar.
- Powdered Monk Fruit: Ideal for a low-sugar option, though it absorbs moisture differently, so sift well to avoid clumps.
- Blend Options: A 50/50 mix of powdered monk fruit and erythritol can crisp better than monk fruit alone. For a low-sugar and real sugar hybrid approach, mix real powdered sugar with powdered monk fruit.
For exact ingredient amounts, see the full printable recipe card below.
How to Make Candied Cranberries
Step 1. Prep the Cranberries: Give those cranberries a good rinse in cold water, then pat the cranberries dry with paper towels.
Step 2. Soak: Place the cranberries in a large bowl and pour in two cans of Crisp Apple Olipop or sparkling apple juice. Cover with a lid and allow them to soak for at least 12 hours or overnight to infuse the flavor fully.
Step 3. Coat: Use a slotted spoon or a colander to drain the juice from the cranberries, but don’t rinse them. Toss them in 1 ½ cups of monk fruit or powdered sugar for a lighter coating or up to 2 cups for a thicker, frosted look. Make sure every berry is evenly coated.
Step 4. Bake to Set: Preheat your oven to 200°F. Spread the coated cranberries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 6 minutes—just enough to set the coating. Avoid overbaking to preserve their crunchy texture and keep their signature “pop”.
Step 5. Serve: Allow the cranberries to cool all the way on the baking sheet pan. They’ll harden as they cool, giving them that perfect candied crunch.
Mac’s Pro Tips
Expert Tips
Flavors: Enhance the flavor by mixing in fresh orange zest and a touch of vanilla bean paste to create a fragrant orange vanilla sugar coating.
Sift Your Sweetener: Always sift the sugar to ensure a smooth coating without clumps.
Room Temperature Soaking: Let the cranberries soak at room temperature for even flavor infusion.
Pat Dry: Properly patting the cranberries completely dry before soaking allows them to absorb the liquid better.
Serving Tips
- Garnish: Serve these with sprigs of rosemary on top of holiday cakes, cheesecakes, or cheese boards.
- Table Decor: These cranberries make the perfect addition to your holiday table decor.
- Cocktails and Mocktails: Try them in a cranberry gin fizz cocktail or a cranberry virgin moscow mule.
- New Year’s Eve: These would be a great garnish served on a toothpick on top of a glass of Champagne on New Year’s Eve!
- Snack: Serve them in a festive bowl for a holiday party snack.
Storage Tips
- Room Temperature: The best way to store leftover cranberries is in an airtight container for up to five days. Avoid refrigeration, as moisture can soften the coating.
- Separate Layers: If stacking the cranberries, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Thaw the cranberries completely and pat them dry with paper towels before soaking. They may be softer, but the flavor will still shine.
This can happen to the sweet sugar coating if the powdered monk fruit or sugar isn’t sifted or if the cranberries aren’t well-drained. Be thorough in both steps for best results.
Baking helps set the coating for a firmer texture. You can skip it, but the coating may remain soft and sticky.
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Viral Candied Cranberries Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries about 2 1/2 cups
- 2 8 oz cans Crisp Apple Olipop or sparkling apple juice*
- 1 1/2 – 2 cups powdered sugar or powdered monk fruit adjust for coating preference
Instructions
- Prep Cranberries: Rinse and pat dry the cranberries.
- Soak Cranberries: Place cranberries in a large bowl and pour in the 2 cans of Olipop. Add a lid and soak for 12 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Drain & Coat: Drain cranberries well, but do not rinse. Toss cranberries in 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar/monk fruit for a light coating or up to 2 cups for a thick frosted look. Make sure they’re evenly coated.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 200°F. Spread cranberries on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 6 minutes to set the coating (do not overbake).
- Cool & Serve: Let cranberries cool completely; they will harden as they cool.
- I recommend freezing them if you want to keep them for any length of time. I notcied they got soggy after 24 hours in an air tight container.
Notes
- Sift Your Sweetener: Always sift the sugar to ensure a smooth coating without clumps.
- Room Temperature Soaking: Let the cranberries soak at room temperature for even flavor infusion.
- Pat Dry: Properly patting the cranberries completely dry before soaking allows them to absorb the liquid better.
- Flavors: Enhance the flavor by mixing in fresh orange zest and a touch of vanilla bean paste to create a fragrant orange vanilla sugar coating.
- Spiked: For alcoholic version, use 1 cup sparkling wine and 1 cup orange juice in place of Olipop.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
