I love making these cranberries during this time of year. The method for creating these transforms their overall texture into something delicate and soft while preserving their tart and tangy quality. A balanced palette of warm spices is infused into the cranberries to achieve a unique feel and aroma, which is perfect for enjoying during the holidays. Although these are simple and easy to make, they require several hours of soaking and drying to produce—but the end result is definitely worth the wait. Adapted from Cooking Light.
SPICED AND SUGARED CRANBERRIES
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups sugar
- 3 cups water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 4 cardamom pods, bruised
- 2 pieces of whole star anise
- 3 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed
- 1 cup superfine sugar, or regular sugar pulsed in a small food processor
Instructions
- Combine the sugar, water and spices in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar is totally dissolved. Allow the mixture to come to a full boil, then pour into a separate bowl and immediately add in the fresh cranberries.
- Cover and place into the refrigerator to soak for about 8 hours.
- Drain the cranberries. Line a cookie sheet with paper towels and place the cranberries on them to soak up any excess liquid. Place the remaining cup of sugar in a large bowl and add in the cranberries. Toss gently until well coated.
- Reline the cookie sheet with fresh paper towels and place the cranberries back on them to dry for about two hours. They may remain drying on the cookie sheet for up to two days.
Lori Stipp says
What if you put them in a dehydrator? Good idea or bad? When they are "done" are they still a bit moist inside?
erinwyso says
Lori, I haven't tried that so I can't say for sure, but I suspect you'd end up with shriveled cranberries "raisins" instead of these plump ones if you use a dehydrator. When these cranberries are prepared per the instructions above, they will pop in your mouth and have a great texture inside!
Lori Stipp says
You are probably right. These look beautiful!
Ilona van Golen says
Hi there from the Netherlands! Just wanted to let you know that I've made these last Christmas and all who tasted my cranberries were over the moon about them!
Here you can see them on a tray filled with some other things I made:
http://oi43.tinypic.com/2porvnk.jpg
http://oi42.tinypic.com/el8dn9.jpg
http://oi42.tinypic.com/mhppl.jpg
In the weeks before Christmas I already made them a few times and I was so enthusiastic about them online that quite a few of other people from the Netherlands decided to make 'em as well. And thus, the cranberries popped up on Christmas tables all over our country and they sure were a hit with everyone. So thanks a bunch! 🙂 -xxx-
erinwyso says
Your pictures and styling are gorgeous, IIlona, thank you for sharing!
cynthia uribe says
Do you think it's possible to substitute the sugar these are cooked in with agave, bacon, or stevia to cut down on the glycemic index some? Maybe redundant with sugar coating them but wondered.
erinwyso says
I think agave would work for the simmering portion. But it takes a lot of sweetness to balance out the tartness of the cranberries, so I suspect you'd need a lot in the simmer liquid. Using sugar to roll them in is pretty essential, and I'm not sure what could replace that.
Angela says
Yummy looking snack! Just a quick clarification question. Does this mean that they only keep for 2 days (or just that you can continue to dry for 2 more days)? I'm wondering if they are sort of dried and can be made in advance for Christmas gifts (or even sent through the mail), or if they're more like fresh and perishable and only keep for a couple of days. Also, do you store them in the fridge or at room temp?
Thanks so much for the info and recipe!
erinwyso says
Thanks Angela! If you are going to jar them and give them as gifts, I would keep them out to dry for up to two days before placing them into other containers. They tend to get soggy if they are not completely dried out. Also, don't refrigerate — they will be fine left out once dried.
Good luck!
Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes says
This technique is just what I have been looking for – thanks for sharing!
amy says
these are drying on my counter right now. i'm looking forward to snacking on them in a few hours!
Jay says
wow…sounds utterly delicious..
just found your space..lovely space you hve..
yummy recipe collection with great presentation..
love your stunning cliks..
Am your happy follower now..;)
BestOodles says
Happy Holiday Erinwyso,
First I have to say WOW it's beautiful! Great for holiday treat.
erinwyso says
Thanks Katherine! : )
erinwyso says
Thanks Kate. The original recipe, linked above, suggests mixing into a cocktail. It also might taste good drizzled over some oatmeal? maybe?
Kate says
Those are beautiful! I wonder what you could do with the leftover spiced syrup…?
erinwyso says
They should keep drying on the cookie sheet for up to two days — I updated the posting to reflect that … thanks!
Veg-In-Training says
Perfect holiday snacks!! How long will they keep?