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Viral Candied Cranberries Recipe

4.7 from 76 reviews

These Viral Candied Cranberries are a delightful holiday treat featuring fresh cranberries soaked in crisp apple sparkling soda and coated in powdered sugar for a sweet, frosted finish. Perfect for festive snacking or as a colorful garnish on desserts, they offer a tangy, sugary bite that hardens to a crunchy texture after a brief low-temperature bake.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 12 oz fresh cranberries (about 2 1/2 cups)
  • 2 8 oz cans Crisp Apple Olipop (or sparkling apple juice)
  • 1 1/22 cups powdered sugar or powdered monk fruit (adjust for coating preference)

Instructions

  1. Prep Cranberries: Rinse the fresh cranberries under cold water to remove any debris, then pat them dry thoroughly with a clean towel to ensure they are dry before soaking.
  2. Soak Cranberries: Place the rinsed cranberries in a large bowl, pour in the two cans of Crisp Apple Olipop or sparkling apple juice, cover with a lid or plastic wrap, and refrigerate to soak for 12 hours or overnight to infuse maximum flavor and sweetness.
  3. Drain & Coat: After soaking, drain the cranberries well in a colander but do not rinse them. Transfer to a clean bowl and toss the cranberries with 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar or monk fruit for a light coating, or up to 2 cups if you prefer a thick frosted look. Ensure all berries are evenly coated with the sugar.
  4. Bake: Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the coated cranberries in a single layer to avoid clumping. Bake them in the oven for 6 minutes to set the sugar coating firmly without melting it, being careful not to overbake.
  5. Cool & Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the candied cranberries to cool completely on the parchment paper. As they cool, the sugar coating hardens, giving them a crunchy texture perfect for snacking or decoration.
  6. Storage Tip: For longer storage, freeze the candied cranberries as they tend to get soggy after 24 hours when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

  • Using sparkling apple juice is an effective non-alcoholic alternative if Olipop is unavailable.
  • The soaking time is crucial for flavor infusion; do not skip or shorten this step.
  • The powdered sugar amount can be adjusted based on how thick or light you want the sugar coating.
  • Low oven temperature and short baking time set the sugar without melting it, preserving the candy’s crunch.
  • Do not rinse cranberries after draining to keep the sugar adhered.
  • Freeze to maintain texture and avoid sogginess beyond one day.

Keywords: candied cranberries, holiday snack, festive treat, cranberry recipe, candied fruit, baked cranberries, sweet cranberry snack