Description
Festive Orange Vanilla Candied Cranberries elevate holiday desserts with their sparkling sugar coating and zesty flavor profile. Guests will savor these glistening jewels that blend sweet-tart cranberries with delicate orange and vanilla notes, creating an irresistible seasonal treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) cranberries
- Zest of 1 orange
- Juice of 1 orange (approximately 0.5 cup or 120 milliliters fresh juice)
Sweeteners and Flavoring:
- 2 cups (400 grams) sugar
- 1.75 cups (420 milliliters) water
- 1.5 to 2 cups (300 to 400 grams) white sugar for coating (use a mixture of granulated sugar and clear sparkling sugar in a ratio of three parts to one part)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Spices:
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Thoroughly cleanse the cranberries, discarding any damaged or stemmed berries, and transfer the pristine fruit to a heat-resistant container.
- Combine of water, orange zest and juice, of vanilla extract, of granulated sugar, and a single cinnamon stick in a 2-quart (1.9 liters) stockpot.
- Ignite the heat to medium-high, bringing the liquid concoction to a vigorous boil, then reduce to low, allowing it to simmer for 5-7 minutes until the mixture slightly thickens.
- Remove the pot from heat, permitting the syrup to cool momentarily while maintaining a warm temperature that won’t compromise the cranberry integrity.
- Delicately cascade the warm syrup over the prepared cranberries, ensuring complete submersion, and include the cinnamon stick in the liquid bath.
- Seal the container and refrigerate overnight, enabling the flavors to harmonize and penetrate each cranberry.
- After the marination period, position a colander or fine-mesh sieve over a spacious bowl, gently transferring the infused cranberries to drain excess syrup.
- Allow the berries to rest in the colander for 30-60 minutes, developing a tacky surface texture; reserve the aromatic syrup for future culinary adventures.
- Distribute 1½-of white sugar evenly across a sheet pan, creating a uniform sugar landscape.
- Carefully tumble the sticky-coated cranberries in the sugar, ensuring each berry receives an even, glistening sugar coating.
- Permit the sugar-encrusted cranberries to air-dry at room temperature for approximately three hours, developing a crisp, crystalline exterior that transforms these fruits into delectable, sparkling gems.
Notes
- Crafting these candied cranberries transforms ordinary fruit into sparkling holiday gems with a zesty orange twist.
- Washing berries carefully removes stems and ensures only perfect, plump fruits make the cut for this festive treat.
- Creating a fragrant syrup builds deep flavor layers by infusing orange zest, vanilla, and warming cinnamon into sweet liquid.
- Soaking overnight allows cranberries to absorb complex taste profiles, turning them from tart to brilliantly candied delights.
- Rolling in sugar creates a delicate crystalline coating that makes these berries shine like edible jewels perfect for garnishing desserts or enjoying as standalone snacks.
- Drying at room temperature develops a crisp exterior while maintaining a tender, juicy interior that bursts with concentrated fruity essence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 234
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 3 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: <1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg