Every Christmas I see images of sugared cranberries and every year I think that I’d like to make them. But then I always wonder, what am I going to do with some sugared cranberries?
So I asked myself, do people actually eat raw cranberries?
Turns out, they do….I’m just not one of those people.
I prefer mine cooked in some way, shape, or fashion. Preferably in something sweet, but I’m definitely not one to turn away cranberries in a savory dish either.
So, while baking my Orange Cranberry Muffins the other day, I was pleased to realize that sugared cranberries could serve as a beautiful, festive, sparkly prop for my shots.
So, I got busy and made me some. And may I just say, they’re super simple.
The hardest part about making these is the time aspect. They won’t be made and ready to display in 15 minutes, there’s a fair amount of down time…but you can handle it. I know you can.
Basically, the process goes like this. Make a simple syrup, coat cranberries in simple syrup, allow cranberries to dry and become tacky, coat cranberries in sugar.
Done. I added a bit of Cointreau to mine for an a nice liquor-y orange scent, but leave it out if you’d like. Or throw in a little orange extract. (Emphasis on a LITTLE…that stuff is potent!)
So, if you want a festive table decoration for your holiday entertaining or, if you eat raw cranberries, give this recipe a shot. It’s really fun, I promise. No stress involved. Because it’s the holidays, who needs more of that nonsense?
adapted from Bakers Royale
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 package fresh cranberries
- sugar (the finer, the better)
- Cointreau or orange extract
Directions
- In a small saucepan, mix together sugar and water and heat until simmering. (You don't want a rapid boil. This could cause your cranberries to pop, not what we want.)
- Add a splash or two of Cointreau or a very small amount of orange extract.
- Pour cranberries (working in batches) into the simple syrup and remove with slotted spoon.
- Allow to dry in a single layer on a cooling rack for one hour.
- Roll "tacky" cranberries in sugar.
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