Orange Sugared Cranberries

Each and every fall I look forward to the arrival of fresh cranberries in the stores. I scoop up at least 2-3 packages every time I go to the store and pop them in the freezer.

I’m a firm believer that one can never have enough. As my collection of fresh cranberry recipes proves, there are so many more uses for them then cranberry orange sauce.

These Orange Sugared Cranberries are a fun way to utilize them. The cranberries are cooked in a simple syrup, left out on a rack to dry, then rolled in sugar for an ultra festive edible garnish.

They’re guaranteed to add plenty of sparkle to your holidays. 🙂

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Candied cranberries are tart, sweet, and add a festive touch to your holiday table.
• They take just 3 ingredients and a few minutes of hands on prep.
• They’re a great addition to cheese boards, the holiday dessert table, or as a garnish for desserts, cocktails, pancakes or waffles.
• They can be made up to a day in advance.

Recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes

• Fresh cranberries. Frozen cranberries may be used, but be sure to thaw them out slightly or cook for about 1 minute in the simple syrup.
• Granulated sugar. The granulated sugar is used in the simple syrup, and the candied cranberries are rolled in it as well. If you’d like to use unrefined sugar in this recipe, the best bet would be maple sugar or date sugar as they’re lighter in color, but they’re quite expensive. Coconut sugar would work as well, but it’s darker in color.
• Orange zest. The orange zest is completely optional, but the oils in the zest provides a pop of color and mild flavor.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.

How to make candied cranberries

The best part about these sparkling sugared cranberries is that they take about 10 minutes of hands on prep and just 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.

Pro tip: Prep candied cranberries up to a day in advance as they take time to dry. I don’t recommend prepping them earlier as the sugar may weep and cranberries may moisten over time.

See the recipe card below for full instructions.

1. Place ½ cup of the granulated sugar in a saucepan with the water and heat over medium low until the sugar dissolves.
2. Add the cranberries and stir until well coated.
3. Remove the cranberries from the pot using a slotted spoon, allowing excess simple syrup to drain.
4. Place the cranberries in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and let stand 1 hour until dried.
5. Combine the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and orange zest until combined, then roll the cranberries in the sugar until they’re well coated.
6. Place the cranberries back on the wire rack in a single layer until dried, about 1 hour more.

Recipe FAQs

Serving suggestions

There are a number of ways to serve these orange sugared cranberries. They truly add sparkle to your holidays!

• They make a wonderful addition to a fall charcuterie board, Christmas tree charcuterie board, or topping for baked brie.
• Candied cranberries add a festive touch to Christmas cookie boxes.
• They make an incredible dessert garnish for cakes like Cranberry White Chocolate Cake from Life Love and Sugar.
• They’re a fun garnish for holiday brunch atop eggnog french toast.
• They make the sugared cranberries are a festive garnish for holiday cocktails such as vodka spritzers, egg nog and even hot chocolate.

Recipe notes

• Pro tip: Prep candied cranberries up to a day in advance as they take time to dry. I don’t recommend prepping them earlier as the sugar may weep and cranberries may moisten over time.
• Dry sugared cranberries thoroughly, store in an air tight container at room temperature and use within 3-4 days for best results.
• You will have simple syrup left, which works wonderfully in cocktails or brushed over cakes. Simply store in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks.
• If you have orange sugar leftover, add it to your Homemade whipped cream or use it in baking recipes.

More cranberry recipes you’ll love:

• Healthy cranberry orange muffins
• Cranberry sangria