Thanksgiving is just around the corner and Christmas is only six weeks away… Time to make sparkling Vanilla Orange Candied Cranberries.

Sparkling Vanilla Orange Candied Cranberries Recipe | ASpicyPerspective.com

Candied Cranberries AKA Sugared Cranberries

I took my dog for a walk this morning and reveled in the clean crisp air, gingerly scented with decomposing leaves and pin needles.

I don’t know what it is about that earthy aroma that makes me so happy. Like a whispering woodland fairy, it always reminds me to start planning for the holidays. No time to waste.

I always like to make Vanilla Orange Candied Cranberries in preparation for the holidays. Candied or sugared cranberries are extremely simple to make and impressive on any Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s table.

Like nature-made Sour Patch Kids, candied cranberries are sweet and tart.

Plus they are so pretty!

Vanilla Orange Sugared Cranberries Recipe | ASpicyPerspective.com

Ingredients for Candied Cranberries

  • Granulated sugar
  • Water
  • Vanilla extract
  • Orange extract
  • Fresh cranberries, washed
How to Make Vanilla Orange Candied Cranberries

How to Make Sugared Cranberries

  1. Combine part of the sugar, water, vanilla, and orange extract in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium until the sugar has completely dissolved, but not boiling.
  2. Pour in the cranberries and stir. The hot syrup will loosen the skin, saturate the berries, and adhere to the berries over time. Cover the cranberries with a small plate to keep them mostly submerged. Then cover the pan and place it in the refrigerator overnight.
  3. Place the remaining sugar in a rimmed dish. Strain the cranberries with a slotted spoon and place them in the sugar. Shake until they are completely coated. Carefully transfer them to a baking sheet to dry, about an hour.
  4. Once the sugar coating is hard and at room temperature, place them in an air-tight container and keep them in a cool spot for up to a week.
Making Vanilla Orange Candied Cranberries

Get the Full (Printable) Sugared Cranberries Recipe Below!

How To: Vanilla Orange Candied Cranberries

How To Use Candied Cranberries

Just think of all the wonderful ways to use these sugared cranberries:

  • Place them in a candy dish to be gobbled up by the handful as a holiday treat.
  • Use as a fancy garnish for holiday pies, cakes, cocktails and mocktails, cranberry sauce, or savory dishes.
  • Fill martini or champagne glasses with them to decorate your holiday table.
  • Place them in little tins or gift bags for small edible gifts.
  • One more bonus, the leftover vanilla-orange simple syrup absorbs the essence of cranberry, so save it for irresistible holiday cocktails.
Brilliant Vanilla Orange Sugared Cranberries

Sugar-coated Cranberries are a must-make this holiday season. Just soak the berries in vanilla orange syrup, then shake in sugar. Viola!

Recipe Variations

Mix up the flavors of the candy coating by swapping the vanilla and citrus extracts with other extracts such as: coconut, almond, lemon, chocolate, rum, and/or raspberry extract.

Dazzling Vanilla Orange Candied Cranberries

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Vanilla Orange Candied Cranberries Recipe | ASpicyPerspective.com
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Sugared Cranberries Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Easy Vanilla Orange Candied Cranberries Recipe, perfect for snacking, edible gifts, dessert garnishes and cocktails!
Servings: 12

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine 2 1/2 cups of sugar, water, vanilla, and orange extract in a sauce pan. Heat over medium until the sugar has completely dissolved, but not boiling.
  • Pour in the cranberries and stir. The hot syrup will loosen the skin, saturate the berries, and adhere to the berries over time. Cover the cranberries with a small plate to keep them mostly submerged. Then cover the pan and place it in the refrigerator over night.
  • Place the remaining 1 1/4 cup of sugar in a rimmed dish. Strain the cranberries and place them in the sugar. Shake until they are completely coated. Carefully transfer them to a baking sheet to dry, about an hour.
  • Once the sugar coating is hard, place them in an air-tight container and keep in a cool spot for up to a week.

Notes

NOTE: Don’t forget to refrigerate your Cranberry Infused Vanilla-Orange Syrup for cocktail time!

Nutrition

Serving: 2ounces, Calories: 255kcal, Carbohydrates: 65g, Protein: 0g, Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 24mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 63g, Vitamin A: 15IU, Vitamin C: 3.8mg, Calcium: 3mg, Iron: 0.1mg
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier
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