• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Peter's Food Adventures
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Travel
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • recipes
  • about
  • travel
  • Follow and Share!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • recipes
    • about
    • travel
  • Follow and Share!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Holiday

    Sugared Cranberries

    Author: Peter's Food Adventures · Published: Nov 6, 2022

    Jump to Recipe

    Sugared Cranberries are a fun and festive dessert for your holiday table. Like a homemade candy made with fruit. Tangy, sweet and tart, 3 methods to make this holiday favorite. Use as a dessert garnish to level up your holiday celebrations.

    Sugared Cranberries are the perfect festive treat for the holidays. Sweet and tangy, crunchy and soft, I can't get enough of these. A popular Russian sweet made for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Candied Cranberries (клюква в сахаре)
    cranberries in sugar syrup
    candied cranberries in icing sugar

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Festive - adds holiday flair to your Thanksgiving or Christmas table
    • Easy - only takes 30 minutes to make
    • Unique - not usually founding stores, everyone will be talking about these tasty treats!

    Sugared Cranberries Origins

    Sugared Cranberries (клюква в сахаре) are a Russian and Slavic treat enjoyed as far back as the 1800's. It's considered a dessert or treat, and can even be bought in stores in Eastern Europe. It's so easy to make these Russian Candied Cranberries at home.

    Ingredients

    • Whole Cranberries
    • White Sugar for Sugar Syrup
    • Powdered Sugar (Icing Sugar)

    How to Serve Sugared Cranberries

    Sugared Cranberries are a tasty treat or dessert, especially made around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

    • alongside a Cheeseboard, Fruit board or Dessert Board
    • garnish for Berry Pavlova Wreath
    • toppings for Holiday Cakes like Napoleon Cake or over Cupcakes
    • in a candy dish on your holiday table to enjoy with Citrus Spiced Tea
    sugared cranberries drying on baking paper
    powdered sugar covering cranberries

    White Sugar or Icing Sugar?

    There are a few different ways to make Sugared Cranberries. They're made with the same method, but you can choose to use icing sugar or white sugar. They taste the same, but look different.

    When using icing sugar, the cranberries will resemble fluffy pink and white snowballs. This is especially true if you take the effort to carefully roll them in the icing sugar properly, covering the whole red cranberry, without rushing.

    How to Make Sugared Cranberries

    There are a few different ways to make candied cranberries. Frosted Cranberries are coated with regular white granulated sugar. Russian style Sugared Cranberries are usually coated with thick Powdered Sugar, plus there is an egg white method too!

    Frosted Cranberries Method

    1. Sugar Syrup - make a hot sugar syrup by heating sugar and water in a saucepan
    2. Coat - In small batches, gently place cranberries into the sugar syrup and mix until coated. Remove the cranberries with a slotted spoon and place on parchment paper (or a wire baking rack)
    3. Roll - Place white sugar into a bowl. Working in batches, place cranberries into the white sugar. Don't allow the sticky cranberries to touch each other. Gently roll them around in the white sugar until they are completely coated
    4. Set - Place coated cranberries on parchment paper to allow them to harden up and set for 1 hour

    Sugared Cranberries Method

    1. Sugar Syrup - make a hot sugar syrup by heating sugar and water in a saucepan
    2. Coat - In small batches, gently place cranberries into the sugar syrup and mix until coated. Remove the cranberries with a slotted spoon and place on parchment paper (or a wire baking rack)
    3. Sift and Roll - Sift icing sugar into a bowl. Working in batches, place cranberries into the powdered sugar. Don't allow the sticky cranberries to touch each other. Holding the bowl, gently roll cranberries in a circular motion for at least 2 minutes, until completely coated
    4. Set - Place coated cranberries on parchment paper to allow them to harden up and set for 1 hour

    Egg White Method

    1. Egg Whites - Whisk 1 egg white with 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    2. Coat - Carefully coat all the cranberries with the egg white mixture
    3. Separate - Place cranberries into a sieve to allow excess egg whites to drain from cranberries
    4. Roll - Place sifted icing sugar into a bowl. Working in batches, place cranberries into the powdered sugar. Don't allow the sticky cranberries to touch each other. Holding the bowl, gently roll cranberries in a circular motion for at least 2 minutes, until completely coated
    5. Set - Place coated cranberries on parchment paper to allow them to harden up and set for 1 hour
    Sugared Cranberries are the perfect festive treat for the holidays. Sweet and tangy, crunchy and soft, I can't get enough of these. A popular Russian sweet made for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Candied Cranberries (клюква в сахаре)

    Recipe Tips and FAQs

    • Use your Hands - when rolling the cranberries in sugar, only use your fingers to separate cranberries that are stuck together, utensils can pierce the berries
    • Regular Sugar - frosted cranberries only works with regular sugar, don't use superfine, berry or caster sugar as the grains are too small and will dissolve
    • Dry the Cranberries - if using the egg white method, ensure cranberries are completely dry before coating in the egg whites - leave out overnight if necessary
    • Vanilla - add vanilla essence to your sugar syrup mixture
    • Don't Rush - allow the sugared cranberries to set by leaving them at least for an hour on parchment paper. This allows the sugar to solidify around the berries, then they can stack nicely on top of each other in a bowl.

    Fresh or Frozen Cranberries?

    Both! You can use fresh or frozen cranberries for this recipe, just make sure you fully thaw out the frozen cranberries. Frozen cranberries are cheaper and usually available year round. If you can't find cranberries (not likely), you can use Lingonberries or Cowberries (even harder to find). In my mind, they are interchangeable, same but different!

    How to Store Sugared Cranberries

    Sugared Cranberries don't need to be refrigerated. Store at room temperature in an airtight container. They should last 3-4 days.

    Holiday Recipes You'll Love

    • Christmas Punch with Cranberries
    • Honey Cookies - Pryaniki
    • Family Friendly Egg Nog
    • Pavlova Trifle with Meringues
    • Sticky Date Pudding
    • Spiced Pear Infused Vodka
    • Mors - Homemade Cranberry Juice
    • Olivye - Russian Potato Salad

    Whether you're making Sparkling Cranberries, Powdered Sugar Cranberries or Cranberry Snowballs, everyone will love the sweet and tangy taste. A bit crunchy on the outside, with a slightly sour cranberry explosion on the inside. Make your holidays extra special with these Russian Candied Cranberries. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

    Sugared Cranberries are the perfect festive treat for the holidays. Sweet and tangy, crunchy and soft, I can't get enough of these. A popular Russian sweet made for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Candied Cranberries (клюква в сахаре)

    Sugared Cranberries

    Sugared Cranberries are a festive treat for the holidays. Use as a festive garnish, cake toppers, or enjoy as a sweet and tangy dessert. Known as Candied Cranberries and Powdered Sugar Cranberries (клюква в сахаре)
    4.78 from 27 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Setting Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Course: Christmas, Dessert, Sweets
    Cuisine: Russian, Slavic
    Keyword: candied cranberries, Sparkling Cranberries, Sugared Cranberries
    Servings: 4 people

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups Cranberries
    • ½ cups White Sugar for syrup
    • ¼ cup Water
    • 1½ cups Powdered Sugar (sifted) Icing Sugar
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Dissolve White Sugar and Water in a saucepan, heating up over medium until the Sugar Syrup is completely dissolved. Hot but not boiling.
    • In small batches, gently place the Cranberries into the Sugar Syrup and mix until coated. Remove the Cranberries with a slotted spoon and place on parchment paper (or on a wire baking rack).
    • Sift Powdered Sugar into a bowl. Working in batches, place Cranberries into the Powdered Sugar. Don't allow the sticky Cranberries to touch each other. Holding the bowl, gently roll Cranberries in a circular motion for at least 2 minutes, until completely coated.
    • Place coated Cranberries on parchment paper to allow them to harden up and set for 1 hour.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @petersfoodadventures or tag #petersfoodadventures!

    ©PetersFoodAdventures.com

    Sugared Cranberries
    Sugared Cranberries
    festive sugared cranberries

    More Holiday

    • glasses of Hibiscus Iced Tea
      Hibiscus Iced Tea
    • Boiled Shrimp with Dip
      Boiled Shrimp - the Aussie Way
    • Bright Pink Salmon Gravlax is easier to make than you think! Only 5 minutes of prep time with a few days in the fridge to cure. Made with beets, salt, dill, juniper berries and vodka. Cured Salmon also known as Beetroot Gravadlax, is an amazing appetizer or perfect for breakfast with bagels and cream cheese.
      Beet Cured Salmon
    • serving Gruyere Cheese Scalloped Potatoes
      Gruyere Cheese Scalloped Potatoes

    Primary Sidebar

    Peter's Food Adventures - where you'll find Russian recipes, Slavic and International favorites with some fun travel and cooking videos. A Russian Food Blogger.

    Hi, I'm Peter!

    Are you looking for a little inspiration in the kitchen? Let me show you how to create tasty meals for your family!

    Food is the ingredient that brings people together. I love authentic foods, and have a very multicultural food background. I am genuinely happy to share the recipes of foods that make me and my family happy. And hopefully yours too. 

    Learn more about me →

    As Featured On

    As Featured On various magazine brands

    Popular Recipes

    • asian potatoes in a bowl beside chinese spoons
      Crispy Asian Potatoes
    • These easy Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls are perfectly soft and fluffy, generously slathered with a vanilla bean cream cheese frosting. Cinnamon buns that taste like Cinnabon, quick, easy and delicious!
      Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls
    • This Chili Mango Sauce is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy sauce. Delicious with seafood, chicken or pork, or as a dipping sauce. Easy to make with an explosion of tropical flavor, packs the perfect punch, extra spicy if you use habaneros! Not too spicy, not too sweet but just right!
      Mango Sauce
    • A Creamy Yogurt Garlic Sauce is perfect for your homemade Doner Kebab, Shawarma, Kofta, Souvlaki or Falafels. A Middle Eastern, flavor packed condiment, garlic dip or spread. So simple and delicious!
      Yogurt Garlic Sauce for Kebabs

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Intellectual Property

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2026 Peter's Food Adventures

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    1760 shares
    • 311

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required