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How to Make Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary

Simple Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary add a beautiful festive flare to holiday desserts, holiday cheese boards, and holiday cocktails.

Sugared cranberries in a white bowl

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How to Make Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary

Last Christmas, I made a gluten free gingerbread layer cake with sugared cranberries and rosemary as a garnish.

You may have seen it because I shared it on my Instagram stories and so many of you were begging for the recipe.  I knew I needed to make that cake again this year and get it up on the blog because it’s truly one epic cake!

(That recipe is coming very soon, so stay tuned!! Even better, make sure you’re on my email list or following me on Facebook or Instagram so you’ll get the recipe when I post it.)

The sugared cranberries and sugared rosemary made such a beautiful garnish for the cake, it was stunning! A holiday show-stopper for sure.

Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary are perfect for garnishing Christmas cakes, holiday desserts, and holiday cocktails. They make everything look festive and gorgeous! Sugared cranberries and rosemary are much easier to make than they look and only require a few simple ingredients. Recipe from @whattheforkblog - visit whattheforkfoodblog.com for more! #Christmas #cranberry #holidaybaking #sugaredcranberries #cakedecorating

Did you make this recipe? Leave a star rating and let me know in the comments! You can also leave a photo/comment on this pin for others to see.

But sugared cranberries can be more than a cake garnish during the holiday season. They’re great as garnishes for Cranberry Orange Sangria, Cranberry Orange Moscow Mules, or other holiday cocktails.

Sugar coated cranberries are also a gorgeous way to add texture, color, and a sweet/sour element to your holiday cheeseboards. Top your baked brie with the cranberries too and you won’t be disappointed.

The sugared rosemary makes a great cocktail garnish too! The first time I made it was for Half Baked Harvest’s Sparkling Pomegranate Punch – highly recommend it btw!

One thing I do differently though is that I dip my rosemary and cranberries in simple syrup instead of plain water. The simple syrup is stickier and the sugar sticks to it much better!

Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary are perfect for garnishing Christmas cakes, holiday desserts, and holiday cocktails. They make everything look festive and gorgeous! Sugared cranberries and rosemary are much easier to make than they look and only require a few simple ingredients. Recipe from @whattheforkblog - visit whattheforkfoodblog.com for more! #Christmas #cranberry #holidaybaking #sugaredcranberries #cakedecorating


What’s the difference between sugared cranberries and candied cranberries?

Nothing! It’s just whatever you prefer to call it. Sugared cranberries and candied cranberries are exactly the same thing. The same goes for rosemary – sugared rosemary and candied rosemary are one-in-the-same.


Key Ingredients for Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary

  • Fresh Cranberries – Pick through them and discard any that are mushy, discolored, or bad before sending them to their simple syrup bath.
  • Fresh Rosemary – You’re looking for nice sturdy sprigs of vibrant, green rosemary. Don’t use sprigs that are starting to turn color (blackish or gray). 
  • Water simple enough
  • Granulated Sugar – this recipe has very, very few ingredients!

Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary are perfect for garnishing Christmas cakes, holiday desserts, and holiday cocktails. They make everything look festive and gorgeous! Sugared cranberries and rosemary are much easier to make than they look and only require a few simple ingredients. Recipe from @whattheforkblog - visit whattheforkfoodblog.com for more! #Christmas #cranberry #holidaybaking #sugaredcranberries #cakedecorating

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Equipment Needed to Make Sugared Cranberries

  • Small Sauce Pan for making the simple syrup. 
  • Half Sheet Pan – a rimmed Half Sheet Pan keeps all your cranberries and rosemary contained.
  • Parchment Paper – a layer of parchment paper between your baking sheet and syrup coated cranberries keeps them from sticking to the pan.
  • Spoons – you’ll need a slotted spoon to let the excess simple syrup drip off and another small spoon for the sugar.
  • Small Bowl – for coating those cranberries in sugar!

How to Make Sugared Cranberries

Step 1. Line a 1/2 sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 2. Discard any cranberries that are bad/soft/squishy/brown.

Step 3. Add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and the water to a small saucepan and stir to combine. Heat on medium-low heat until the sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat when the sugar has dissolved and the simple syrup has slightly thickened.

Step 4. Working in batches, add the cranberries to the simple syrup and stir to coat them completely. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the syrup, let the excess simple syrup drip off, and transfer the cranberries to the prepared baking sheet.

Step 5. Spread the cranberries in an even, single layer, they should not be piled on top of each other. Repeat until all the cranberries and rosemary are coated in the simple syrup. Let the cranberries and rosemary dry on the baking sheet at room temperature for 1 hour.

Step 6. Line a second baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 7. Add the remaining granulated sugar to a bowl. Working in small batches, roll the cranberries and rosemary in the sugar to coat. Once they’re coated in the sugar, use a slotted spoon to gently transfer the cranberries and rosemary to the second prepared baking sheet. Add additional sugar as needed.

Step 8. Once all the cranberries and rosemary are coated, let them dry on the baking sheet for an hour.

Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary are perfect for garnishing Christmas cakes, holiday desserts, and holiday cocktails. They make everything look festive and gorgeous! Sugared cranberries and rosemary are much easier to make than they look and only require a few simple ingredients. Recipe from @whattheforkblog - visit whattheforkfoodblog.com for more! #Christmas #cranberry #holidaybaking #sugaredcranberries #cakedecorating


Tips for Making Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary

  • Don’t skip the simple syrup. It only takes a few minutes to make and it’ll make a big difference in the quality of your sugared cranberries!
  • Work with a few cranberries at a time. It may be a little more time consuming, but coating a few cranberries at a time with a small amount of granulated sugar will result in a smoother, more even layer of sugar coating. Of course, if you don’t mind having your cranberries covered in smaller clumps of simple syrup soaked granulated sugar, you can work with a spoonful at a time in a larger bowl of sugar.
  • Re-purpose the leftover sugar. Use the leftover sugar in your coffee, tea, gluten free quick breads, make more simple syrup with it, or use it to decorate your gingerbread cake with like I did. It looks like sparkling snow on top of a cake ❄️
    • The leftover simple syrup is great in cocktails!

How to Store Sugared Cranberries

Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary are perfect for garnishing Christmas cakes, holiday desserts, and holiday cocktails. They make everything look festive and gorgeous! Sugared cranberries and rosemary are much easier to make than they look and only require a few simple ingredients. Recipe from @whattheforkblog - visit whattheforkfoodblog.com for more! #Christmas #cranberry #holidaybaking #sugaredcranberries #cakedecorating


Other Cranberry Recipes To Try


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Sugared cranberries in a white bowl

How to Make Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary

4.69 from 35 ratings
Simple Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary add a beautiful festive flare to holiday desserts, holiday cheese boards, and holiday cocktails.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Inactive Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 3 cups
Print Rate Pin

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar divided
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 12 oz. bag fresh cranberries rinsed
  • Sprigs of Fresh Rosemary

Instructions

  • Line a 1/2 sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Discard any cranberries that are bad/soft/squishy/brown.
  • Add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and the water to a small saucepan and stir to combine. Heat on medium-low heat until the sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat when the sugar has dissolved and the simple syrup has slightly thickened.
  • Working in batches, add the cranberries to the simple syrup and stir to coat them completely. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the syrup, let the excess simple syrup drip off, and transfer the cranberries to the prepared baking sheet.
  • Spread the cranberries in an even, single layer, they should not be piled on top of each other. Repeat until all the cranberries and rosemary are coated in the simple syrup. Let the cranberries and rosemary dry on the baking sheet at room temperature for 1 hour.
  • Line a second baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Add the remaining granulated sugar to a bowl. Working in small batches, roll the cranberries and rosemary in the sugar to coat. Once they're coated in the sugar, use a slotted spoon to gently transfer the cranberries and rosemary to the second prepared baking sheet. Add additional sugar as needed.
  • Once all the cranberries and rosemary are coated, let them dry on the baking sheet for an hour.
  • Use to decorate holiday desserts, as garnish for cocktails, or as a sweet/tart element on holiday cheeseboards and charcuterie spreads.

Notes

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
  • If the cranberries start to "weep" toss with additional sugar before serving.
  • Leftover simple syrup can be used in cocktails/mocktails or stirred into tea/coffee.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1oz. | Calories: 78kcal

Disclaimers

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Facts are estimated and aren't always accurate. Please consult a doctor or nutritionist if you have special dietary needs.

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4.69 from 35 votes (34 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




  1. Shannon says:

    5 stars
    Easy and quick recipe! Made for my Buche de Noel cake and they were lovely~