Okay, so you *need* a little sparkle for the holidays, right? That’s where Traditional Sugared Cranberries come in. I mean, seriously, could anything be more festive? They’re like little edible jewels! You can pile ’em on a cake, use them to fancy up a cocktail, or just pop ’em straight into your mouth (trust me, I do!). This recipe is so easy it’s practically foolproof, plus they look absolutely gorgeous. They’re sweet, they’re tart, and they’re guaranteed to wow everyone.

I actually whipped up a batch of these last year for our Christmas party. I swear, they were gone in minutes! Even my Uncle Jerry, who usually sticks to the cheese platter, was sneaking a few. And the best part? They’re way easier to make than they look. So ditch the store-bought sprinkles and give these babies a try. You won’t regret it!

Why You’ll Love These Traditional Sugared Cranberries

Seriously, what’s not to love? These Traditional Sugared Cranberries are:

Super easy to make – even I can’t mess them up!
You only need a few ingredients. I bet you already have most of ’em!
Totally gorgeous. They’re like edible decorations!
Perfect for sprucing up any holiday table.
That sweet-and-tart flavor combo? To die for!

They are the perfect Holiday treat!

Ingredients for Traditional Sugared Cranberries

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! You really don’t need much for these little gems. Here’s what you’ll need:

12 ounces of fresh cranberries (make sure they’re nice and firm!)
2 cups of water
2 cups of granulated sugar, but make sure it’s divided! (1 cup for the syrup, and the other for coating – important!)

That’s it! Told ya it was simple! Now, let’s get to the fun part.

How to Make Traditional Sugared Cranberries: Step-by-Step

Okay, pay attention, because even though this is easy, you gotta follow the steps! Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it. You’ll be snacking on sparkly cranberries before you know it!

First things first: **Rinse and pick over your cranberries**. Get rid of any mushy ones – you want only the firm, good-looking cranberries for this! Nobody wants soft, yucky sugared cranberries, trust me.
Now, grab a saucepan and **combine your water and *one* cup of sugar**. That’s important–*one* cup. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, and stir until the sugar totally dissolves. You want a nice, clear syrup here.
**Add your cranberries to the sugary syrup**. Reduce the heat and let them simmer… just for a minute! Don’t overcook them. Remove the pan from the heat, and let the cranberries sit in the syrup. This is key. The longer they sit, the more sugary goodness they’ll soak up! Aim for **at least one hour**, but three hours is even better in my opinion.
Okay, time to drain those babies! **Drain the cranberries really well**. Use a colander, whatever you’ve got. You don’t want any excess liquid clinging to them, or the sugar won’t stick properly. Give ’em a good shake!
Next up: **Spread the remaining *one* cup of sugar** (see, told you that dividing thing was important!) on a plate or baking sheet. Now, get ready to get your hands sugary!
**Roll those cranberries in the sugar until they’re completely coated**. Make sure every little cranberry is covered in a thick layer of sparkly sugar. This is where the magic happens!
**Place your sugared cranberries on a wire rack to dry**. This step is super important! Let them dry for at *least* an hour. I usually leave mine for a couple of hours, just to be safe. This allows the sugar coating to harden and become all sparkly and beautiful. If you skip this, you’ll end up with sticky cranberries… still tasty, but not as pretty!

And that’s it! You’ve made Traditional Sugared Cranberries! Now, try not to eat them all at once!

Tips for Perfect Traditional Sugared Cranberries

Want to make sure your sugared cranberries are *extra* amazing? Of course, you do! Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way:

Make sure those cranberries are bone dry before you roll them in the sugar. Seriously! Pat them down with paper towels if you have to. Any extra moisture will make the sugar all clumpy.
Don’t be shy with the sugar! Roll those cranberries generously! You want a nice, thick coating.
Let them dry completely on that wire rack. I know it’s tempting to eat them right away, but trust me, the wait is worth it. They’ll be so much prettier (and less sticky!) if you let them dry all the way.
Store your Traditional Sugared Cranberries in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll last for several days… if you don’t eat them all first, that is!

Serving Suggestions for Traditional Sugared Cranberries

Okay, so you’ve got a bowl full of these sparkly little gems… now what? Well, the possibilities are endless! Seriously, I throw these things on *everything* during the holidays. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use them:

Float a few in your cocktails for a festive touch. They look amazing in a cranberry or lemon cheesecake tart!
Sprinkle them on top of cakes, pies, or tarts. Adds a little sparkle and a burst of flavor!
Arrange them on a cheese board for a pop of color and sweetness. People always compliment that!

Honestly, you can put these on just about anything that needs a little extra holiday cheer!

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Traditional Sugared Cranberries

Want to get ahead of the holiday rush? Smart move! You can totally make these Traditional Sugared Cranberries a few days in advance. Just follow the recipe as usual, let them dry completely, and then store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep their sparkle for several days! I usually make mine about 3 days before I need them.

Just a heads up, don’t refrigerate them! The moisture in the fridge will make the sugar coating all sticky and sad. Room temperature is key here. And if you notice they’re starting to lose a little bit of their sparkle, just give them a gentle toss in a little extra sugar before serving!

Frequently Asked Questions About Traditional Sugared Cranberries

Got questions about making these sparkly little bites of joy? Don’t worry, I’ve got answers! Here are some of the most common questions I get about Traditional Sugared Cranberries:

How long do sugared cranberries last?

Okay, so if you manage to *not* eat them all immediately (which, no judgment!), Traditional Sugared Cranberries will usually last for about 3-5 days at room temperature. Just make sure they’re stored in an airtight container to keep ’em fresh and sparkly!

Can I use frozen cranberries to make these?

I get this question a lot. While it’s best to use fresh cranberries for the best texture and results, you *can* use frozen cranberries if that’s all you’ve got. Just be sure to thaw them completely and pat them *extra* dry before you start. Frozen cranberries tend to release a lot more moisture, so drying them is super important!

Can I use a sugar substitute?

Okay, this is a tricky one. You *can* try using a sugar substitute, but I can’t guarantee the results will be the same. The sugar is essential for creating that beautiful, crunchy coating. Some sugar substitutes might not crystalize the same way, plus the overall taste could be different depending on the type you use. If you do experiment, let me know how it goes!

My sugared cranberries are sticky! What did I do wrong?

Ah, the dreaded sticky cranberries! This usually happens if the cranberries weren’t completely dry before you coated them in sugar. Or, if they weren’t allowed to dry long enough on the wire rack after coating. Don’t worry, they’re still edible, but next time, make sure to pat those cranberries super dry, and give them plenty of time to air dry!

Nutritional Information for Traditional Sugared Cranberries

Okay, so here’s the deal: nutritional info can vary *a lot* depending on the exact brands and ingredients you use. So, the numbers below are just an estimate. Don’t take ’em as gospel, okay?

Enjoy Your Traditional Sugared Cranberries

Alright, my friend, that’s it! You’ve got all the secrets to making absolutely gorgeous and delicious Traditional Sugared Cranberries. Now go on, get in the kitchen and give it a try! And hey, if you make ’em, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out. Or even better, snap a pic and share it on social media! I can’t wait to see your sparkly creations!