These vanilla candied cranberries (sugared cranberries) make a great addition to your holiday desserts and meals. These festive sugar-frosted cranberries are made with just a few ingredients, and they're so easy to make.

candied cranberries in a bowl on a wooden table.

Every holiday season, I love making a batch of these sugar-coated cranberries to serve at the holiday table. They make everything look so festive and they are really tasty. I add them to cocktails, as a garnish to roasted meats, even just as a table decoration at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

These candied cranberries are so easy to make and you can't go wrong with this easy sweet treat. These cranberries have a hint of vanilla in the syrup that they are rolled in and are just plain delicious.

Let me show you how to make them so you can add them to your holiday table!

What You Will Need

sugar
vanilla extract (if you prefer not to use this, the cranberries will still taste great!)
fresh cranberries
water

That is it! Simple ingredients to make these frosted cranberries. If there ever was a recipe that was simple and had lots of bang for the buck, it is this sugared cranberry recipe.

How to make Candied Cranberries

cranberries after being dipped in simple syrup

Make simple syrup for the cranberries: Make a simple syrup by combining sugar and water. If you prefer a more natural simple syrup, you could also use a honey syrup.
Add fresh cranberries: Now roll the fresh cranberries in the simple syrup then dry them by placing them on a baking rack.
Roll in sugar: Take the cranberries that have dried in the simple syrup and roll them in sugar.
Dry: Let the cranberries dry for a bit then enjoy.

How To Store

These are definitely a make-ahead kind of dish so you will want to know how to store them 🙂 Once the frosted cranberries are completely dry, place them in a container that allows them to sit side by side (not stacked). Place a lid on them and store them in the refrigerator for up to one week.

How to use candied cranberries

Candied cranberries for cocktails: I love using these sugar-coated cranberries in lots of my holiday recipes. From side dishes like my homemade cranberry sauce, or just as a snack on their own, they are delicious.

On Desserts They are delicious when added on top of desserts. I add these to my berries and cream cookie cups in the Fall when entertaining!

Add these candied cranberries as a garnish I also love adding these on top of appetizers.

More cranberry recipes

Print Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Vanilla Candied Cranberries (Sugared Cranberries)

These vanilla candied cranberries (sugared cranberries) make a great addition to your holiday desserts and meals. These festive sugar frosted cranberries are made with just a few ingredients, and they're so easy to make.

Prep Time5

Cook Time5

drying time1

Total Time1 10

Servings: cups

Author: Melissa Oleary

Ingredients

Simple Syrup

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
½ teaspoon vanilla extract omit if you want plain sugared cranberries

Sugared Cranberries

1 bag of fresh cranberries
½ cup granulated sugar

Instructions

In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, add sugar and water.
1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water
Bring to a simmer and simmer until the sugar is fully dissolved in the water.
Once the sugar is dissolved, turn off the heat and add vanilla and mix well.
1 bag of fresh cranberries
Now add the fresh cranberries.
Turn the cranberries to coat them evenly then with a slotted spoon, remove the cranberries and place on a drying rack.
Allow cranberries to dry for at least 30 minutes.
Once the cranberries are dry, they should be very sticky.
Place ½ cup of sugar on a large plate.
½ cup granulated sugar
Take the sticky cranberries and begin to roll them in the sugar on your plate until they are coated evenly on all sides.
Remove the sugared cranberries from the plate and place them on a drying rack to dry, about 30 minutes.
Once they are set and dry you can use them right away or place them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Nutrition