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These Viral Candied Cranberries are a holiday hit! Sugared cranberries or Candied Cranberries are easily one of the most beautiful treats, made with only 3 ingredients! They are a sweet-tart snack that you’ll be popping into your mouth all throughout the party!
Last winter we went on a night hike to a Christmas star that’s lit up on a mountainside in Davis County, Utah. It was so much fun and the perfect way to bring a little magic to a mundane week. Afterwards we enjoyed a little birthday cake with a friend that was delicately decorated by their teenage daughter with candied cranberries!
Instantly I realized that I’d never shared our own recipe for the Viral Candied Cranberries!
Ingredients for Candied Cranberries
- Fresh Cranberries: These are the star of the recipe. Their natural tartness balances the sweet coating, and their firm skin helps them hold their shape during the candying process.
- Sprite: The soda acts as a sweet, citrusy soaking liquid that lightly infuses the cranberries with flavor and helps the sugar adhere. Its sugars also contribute to the sticky coating that allows the powdered sugar to cling.
- NOTE: Any lemon lime soda works great — 7 Up, Starry, Fresca, even Mtn Dew would work. Just don’t use diet soda!
- Powdered Sugar: This provides the delicate, frosty coating. Its fine texture clings easily to the cranberries, creating that pretty snowy finish while adding a sweet counterpoint to the tart berries.
How to Make Sugared Cranberries
- Prep: Preheat oven to 200℉ and the cranberries and remove any shriveled ones.
- Soak in Sprite: Place in a bowl and cover with sprite. Allow to sit for 20 minutes and drain in a colander then pour back in a large bowl.
- Coat in Sugar: Add the powdered sugar. Shake vigorously to evenly coat all berries evenly without clumps.
- NOTE: If they look slimy, add more powdered sugar. They should look dry.
- Bake: Using a slotted spoon, scoop the cranberries onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 200℉ for 3-5 minutes.
What to Do With Candied Cranberries (Besides Just Snacking!)
I love to put a bowl of these out during the holidays for the family or friends to snack on but they can be used for many things. They make a great topping for oatmeal or yogurt, and they add a delicious tart bite to a salad.
I’ve seen them used as a decorative garnish for holiday cakes or cupcakes as well just the one we had for my friend’s birthday. They are so gorgeous! You can add them to a charcuterie board for a gorgeous festive touch!
Can Orange Juice Be Used Instead of Sprite?
I haven’t ever tried it, but I can’t imagine orange juice working the same way that Sprite does.
Why Your Candied Cranberries Pop, Shrivel, or Melt (and How to Fix It!)
I’ve honestly never had any of these problems happen before. The temperature of the oven is low and the time in the oven is brief, so if you follow the instructions as written, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Can I Use Frozen Cranberries?
Yes, I use frozen berries all the time. No need to thaw them first. Just rinse them and follow the instructions as written.
Storage Information
Candied cranberries should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature and will keep for up to 5 days. If they start to look a little damp, toss them in more powdered sugar.
You can freeze candied cranberries but they will become damp as they thaw. To help with this, toss them in more powdered sugar.
These candied cranberries are little sparkly bites of magic! They’re so simple to make, but look absolutely stunning on holiday desserts and are irresistible as a holiday snack. I love how the sugar crunch gives way to that juicy cranberry burst…it’s the perfect mix of festive and fun for the whole family.
More Holiday Snacks to Try:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
- White Chocolate Christmas Chex Mix
- 5 Minute Christmas Snack Mix
- Rolo Pretzel Bites
- Simple Fudge Recipe
Candied Cranberries
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Fresh Cranberries
- 1 Can Sprite, 12 oz
- 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200℉.
- Wash the cranberries and remove any shriveled ones. Place in a bowl and cover with sprite. Allow to sit for 20 minutes and then drain in a colander. (Contrary to public recipes, the berries don’t soak up the sprite so there’s no need to “marinate them”) pour back in a large bowl.2 Cups Fresh Cranberries, 1 Can Sprite
- Add the powdered sugar. Shake vigorously to evenly coat all berries evenly without clumps. If they look slimy, add more powdered sugar;, they should look dry.2 Cups Powdered Sugar
- Using a slotted spoon, scoop onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 200℉ for 3-5 minutes. We are not cooking, just drying out the berries.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These are addictive. We didn’t have orange juice or sprite, so we used a mountain dew. I don’t really think that soaking makes much difference, but they are delicious!
Thank you so much for the feedback Jill!
What if you used something like Cointreau to soak the berries?
Hi Holly! I can’t say since we’ve never tried it.
I tried it with Triple Sec. It works, but since you’re pouring off the booze (not much gets absorbed) you don’t end up with alcoholic cranberries. You can’t really taste the difference unless you’re eating regular & boozy side by side
I used diet 7up and had great result. The liquid does not need to be sticky substance it just needs to be wet
Thank you so much for the feedback Cara!
So 67 good!!!
Haha!
Such a pretty snack and treat. So yummy!
Thank you so much Sarah!
Why is the power sugar coming off the cranberries ?
Hi Misty! This can happen for a few reasons. As cranberries sit, they will release moisture which will loosen the sugar coating. Simply roll them in more sugar. If the cranberries are in a bowl and rubbing against each other, the friction can also cause the sugar to come off. Another possibility is that the berries were too wet when the sugar was applied. They should be a little damp and not soaking wet. The solution is to roll in more sugar. I hope this helps!
All my sugar came off after a day in the container. What did I do wrong?
Hi there
Thank you for this delightful recipe. Can these be made ahead and frozen?
I am enjoying your recipes in my inbox.
Thank you so much for the support Dawn! You can freeze candied cranberries but they will become damp as they thaw. To help with this, toss them in more powdered sugar.
How long will they keep in an airtight container?
Hi Lynda! They will keep for about 5 days at room temperature. If they start to look a little damp, toss them in more powdered sugar.
If the cranberries don’t soak up the Sprite, what is the point of using it? Why not skip that step?
Hi Heather! The soda acts as a sweet, citrusy soaking liquid that lightly infuses the cranberries with flavor and helps the sugar adhere. Its sugars also contribute to the sticky coating that allows the powdered sugar to cling. I hope this helps!