Orange Sugared Cranberries
Orange Sugared Cranberries are an easy sugared cranberries recipe with only 3 ingredients. They’re tart, sweet and a festive addition for holidays and gatherings!
Nothing could be more appropriate to post for the start of the holidays than these Orange Sugared Cranberries. I mean, what could be more merry and bright than these? These cranberries give Rudolph’s nose a run for it’s money…they’re SO bright red and shiny.
Truth be told I’d never made sugared cranberries before about 3 weeks ago. I was always in awe of them when I saw them around the Internet — they’re so festive and pretty to look at!
I’m a huge fan of tart-sweet things, and I fell head over heels after one bite of these.
How to make Sugared Cranberries
The best part about this sugared cranberries recipe besides the fact that they’re flipping delicious, is that they only take about 5 minutes of prep and 3 ingredients.
During the hectic holidays it’s nice to have some recipes that don’t take much effort but will still dazzle the crowd, and this recipe is just perfect for that.
The hardest part about these sugared cranberries is waiting an entire hour for them to dry after dousing them in simple syrup. The simple syrup takes about 1-2 minutes on the stove top, then you drop your cranberries into the pot and stir until they’re coated completely.
See how they glisten?
I placed them on a wire rack to dry, then came the fun part…rolling them in sugar.
When I use cranberries, I almost always add orange juice or zest or both. Cranberry orange is just a magical combination, so I decided to add some fresh orange zest to my granulated sugar and stir it in.
I smashed the zest in that sugar so that it would release all of it’s flavor, and I stirred it up really well. This orange sugar is out of this world!
I had some leftover after rolling, which I used in whipped cream and baking.
I made these Orange Sugared Cranberries with a recipe in mind, and loved them so much I’ve already incorporated them into another one.
I see myself making these all holiday season long because there are so many possibilities. Cocktails, desserts, cheese plates, or just plain eating.
I promise…you’re gonna love these, and they could put Rudolph out of a job. 🙂
See my produce guide on Cranberries for more cranberry recipes!
Ways to serve Orange Sugared Cranberries:
Cranberry Brie Bites by Yummy Mummy Kitchen
Cranberry White Chocolate Cake from Life Love and Sugar
Mini Cranberry Orange Cheesecakes
Orange Sugared Cranberries
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar divided
- ½ cup water
- 8 ounces fresh cranberries rinsed and picked through
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
Instructions
- Place a large wire rack over a baking sheet and set aside.
- Place ½ cup of the granulated sugar in a saucepan with the water. Heat over medium low until the sugar dissolves. Add the cranberries and stir until well coated, and using a slotted spoon, place on the wire rack. Let stand 1 hour until dried.
- Place the remaining ½ cup granulated sugar in a medium bowl and toss with the orange zest until thoroughly combined. Roll the cranberries in the sugar until well coated and place back on the wire rack and let stand for another hour or so at room temperature to dry.
- Store the cranberries at room temperature loosely covered for 2-3 days -- if you place in an airtight container the sugar will dissolve. Enjoy!
Notes
- You will have some simple syrup left, which you can save for cocktails, smoothies, etc. Simply store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- You may also have some orange sugar leftover, which is delicious in whipped cream or baking recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
32 Comments on “Orange Sugared Cranberries”
They look so festive Marcie! They would look so great to top of a cake, beautiful 🙂
Thank you, Manali! They would certainly be great for topping a cake!
Haha I love it…these cranberries definitely do give Rudolph’s nose a run for his money! I’ve always wanted to try sugared cranberries before, but I’ve never gotten around to it. I love the orange flavor you added in Marcie! These look absolutely beautiful and perfect to break in the holiday season!
I don’t know why it took me so long to make these — they’re so easy! Thanks, Gayle, and I hope you get to try them soon!
There is nothing more merry and bright or festive and fun than sugared cranberries… well, unless you use them as a garnish for a cocktail. Lol. STILl, the sugared cranberry garnish would MAKE that cocktail. 😉 LOVE these, Marcie!! Orange and cranberries are the best pairing, so I love that you used orange here!! I could pop these beauties into my mouth like candy!! Cheers!!
Yes — a cocktail would definitely make these more festive! ?. Thanks so much, Cheyanne, and I hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving!
This is absolutely brilliant! I had never considered taking the sugared approach to cranberries and now I MUST try this! I have a ton of fresh cranberries in my fridge that are just begging to be sugared. Thanks for the inspo, lady!
I buy fresh cranberries by the truckload so this is a nice way to use them up! Thanks Julia and I hope you get to try them soon!
These look perfect Marcie! I recently made the plain version for a cake, but will definitely try the orange one, too!Pinned!
Thanks, Mira, and I can’t wait to see your cake!
Sugared cranberries are a must for the holidays! Love the addition of orange zest!
They are a must! Thanks, Jessica!
These look delicious! and they are small so you don’t have to eat too many!
Sugared cranberries always make me smile! They are so pretty and festive! LOVE the touch of the orange!! I need to try that next time I make a batch! Hope you had a great holiday Marcie!!
Sugared cranberries are a day brightener! Thanks, Ashley, and I hope you had a great Thanksgiving as well!
These are so festive and pretty, Marcie! I love the hint of orange in here and would find every excuse to showcase them. So perfect for the holidays!!
Thank so much, Kelly! These are SO addicting!
Love how pretty and festive these orange sugar cranberries look. Perfect for this holiday season. Wish you a lovely week ahead.
Thank you, Anu, and you have a wonderful week as well!
I haven’t baked with fresh cranberries a long time either and need to soon! Thanks Beth, and I hope you get to try these soon!
These cranberries are beautiful Marcie! And I love how quick and easy they are to make!
Thank you, Christin — I have a hard time walking away from these! 🙂
We love orange with our cranberries too! love these so festive. Happy holidays Marcie!
Thank you and happy holidays to you too, Cheri!
Hhahah poor Rudolph! I love sugared cranberries this time of the year.
I think Rudolph can maybe use a year off anyway! lol Thanks, Z!
I made sugared cranberries for the first time last year. I love the addition of orange in this version – yum!
They’re so good aren’t they?? Thanks, Megan!
I love fresh canberries, but I usually make a juice out of them, those look great!:)
Making homemade juice is a great idea! Thank you, Natalia!
OK, my cranberries never “dried” after coating them with the syrup even though I used a rack and spaced the apart. I waited an hour, then 2 hours, but they never dried. So, of course, the sugar was clumpy when I rolled them in the sugar. Help? Thanks!
I’m sorry about that Laura — I just made them the other day and they dried well. I assume you strained them through a slotted spoon first so that there wasn’t an excessive amount of syrup?