Description
Delightfully tart and sweet candied cranberries soaked in a citrusy soda and juice mixture, then coated in powdered sugar and gently baked to achieve a glossy, sugar-crystallized finish. Perfect as a festive garnish, cocktail topper, or holiday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 12 ounce bag fresh cranberries
- 2 cups 7Up (or Prosecco)
- 1 cup orange juice (or pineapple juice)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Soak Cranberries: Combine the cranberries, 7Up, and orange juice in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours to allow the juices to penetrate the cranberry skins fully, enhancing their flavor and texture.
- Preheat Oven: After soaking, preheat your oven to 200ºF (93ºC), ensuring a gentle heat to avoid drying out the cranberries during baking.
- Coat with Sugar: Drain the cranberries well using a colander. Place them into a large Ziploc bag, add the powdered sugar, and shake vigorously until every cranberry is evenly coated with sugar.
- Arrange for Baking: Transfer the sugar-coated cranberries onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If excess sugar remains, gently shake the cranberries in a colander to remove it before baking.
- Bake Gently: Bake the cranberries for 5 minutes at 200ºF. Monitor closely to prevent over-drying or burning; using an oven thermometer is recommended to maintain the correct temperature.
- Cool and Serve: Let the candied cranberries cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, transfer them to a serving dish or use them as a decorative and flavorful addition to desserts, salads, or cocktails.
Notes
- Be sure to soak the cranberries for the full 24 hours for the best flavor infusion.
- Use an oven thermometer to avoid overheating and drying out the cranberries during baking.
- Optional substitutions for 7Up include Prosecco for a more adult version.
- Orange or pineapple juice can be used interchangeably depending on your flavor preference.
- Store candied cranberries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes plus 24 hours soaking
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snack / Garnish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: candied cranberries, holiday cranberries, cranberry garnish, sugared cranberries, baked cranberries, festive recipe, holiday snack
