Viral Candied Cranberries Recipe with Powdered Sugar

Sweet-tart cranberries with a frosted, crunchy powdered sugar shell, soaked overnight in Crisp Apple Olipop or Sprite and baked just 6 minutes. A pretty garnish, party snack, or edible gift for the holidays!

Prep Time5

Cook Time6

Cool & Soak Time Time12 10

Total Time12 21

Course: Appetizer/Snack

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Keyword: candied cranberries with powdered sugar, frosted cranberries, holiday garnish, popping cranberries, sugared cranberries, viral candied cranberries

Method: Oven

Servings: servings (Makes 2 1/2 cups, 1/4 cup per serving)

Ingredients

12 oz fresh cranberries about 2 1/2 cups
2 8 oz cans Crisp Apple Olipop (or Sprite 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 (or Sprite). 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.

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.
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.
Make Ahead: Start the soak the night before, then coat and bake the cranberries the day you plan to serve them.
Storage: They’re best within 24 hours. I noticed they got soggy after 24 hours in an airtight container, so I recommend freezing them if you want to keep them longer. Avoid refrigeration, as moisture can soften the coating. If stacking them, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Nutrition