How To Make Stunning Sugared Cranberries & Rosemary
The air has that crisp December bite to it, and inside the farmhouse the kitchen feels like its own warm little world. This is the season when simple projects turn into small traditions, and sugared cranberries and rosemary are one of my favorite things to make with the kids. A bowl of sparkling cranberries on the counter looks like freshly fallen snow, and the rosemary lays out like tiny frosted evergreens.
I use these festive garnishes on everything this time of year, from my quick cheesecake galette, orange cranberry sauce, in these delicious cran orange spritzers, to even garnishing this Christmas cinnamon star bread for gifting. They're quick, beautiful, and surprisingly easy, made with ingredients most of us already have on hand.
Quick Look
✨ Skill Level: Easy
? Flavor: Tart cranberries with a crisp sugar crunch
? Best For: Cakes, mocktails, charcuterie boards, and cookie trays
? Cost: Low
? Time: About 1 hour of drying time
?️ Texture: Sparkly, crisp, and frosted
? Pro Tip: Let the syrup cool fully so the cranberries don't crack and the rosemary stays bright and green
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Why You'll Love These Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary
- Kids love making them, making this an easy tradition to repeat every year.
- They add instant holiday sparkle to cakes, spritzers, charcuterie boards, and Christmas morning brunch trays.
- They look fancy but take only a few minutes to make with simple pantry ingredients.
- The sugar coating gives the cranberries a bright, tart pop and the rosemary a frosted evergreen look.
- They hold up beautifully on dessert tables and keep their shape longer than fresh fruit or herbs.
- They turn even the simplest dessert: cheesecake, pound cake, galettes-into something worthy of a holiday gathering.
Ingredient Notes + Substitutions
Fresh Cranberries
They hold their shape well and develop the prettiest frosted look. Frozen cranberries don't work since they split as they thaw.
Rosemary
Fresh sprigs give the best color contrast beside the cranberries. Garden-cut or store-bought both work. Trim the ends and keep the sprigs in shallow water until you're ready to use them.
Sugar
I prefer organic cane sugar for the clean flavor and soft crunch, but any granulated sugar works. Keep a separate bowl just for coating-dry sugar stays clump-free and creates the best finish.
Water
Equal parts water and sugar make a classic simple syrup. Let it cool to room temp so the coating stays light and crisp.
Variations + Different Ways to Use Them
Powdered Sugar Finish
Dust over the top once dry for a softer, snowy look.
Sugared Orange Peel
Candied citrus strips add color and pair beautifully with cranberry treats.
Raw Sugar Crunch
For a rustic, thicker crystal coating, use raw sugar or turbinado.
Where to Use Them:
- As a sweet-tart nibble all on their own
- Holiday cocktails and mocktails
- Christmas cakes, cheesecakes, and pies
- Cookie trays and treat boxes
- Charcuterie or grazing boards
- Tucked beside slices of cranberry sauce
FAQ about Sugared Berries and Rosemary
Start by dipping the cranberries in cooled simple syrup so the sugar has something light to cling to. Shake off the extra syrup, then roll them in a bowl of dry sugar using a clean spoon so the crystals stay crisp instead of clumping.
Once fully dry, they keep well for up to 3 days in an airtight container at room temperature. If the air is humid and they lose some sparkle, just toss them in a little fresh sugar before serving.
They stay crisp as long as they're fully dry before storing. Humidity can soften them, so give them another dusting of sugar if needed.
Absolutely, use it in mocktails, homemade spritzers, or even spoon a little into warm tea.
Storage Tips
Store in a covered container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Humidity can soften them, so give them a quick toss in fresh sugar before serving if needed.
Avoid refrigerating-they lose their crispness.
You May Also Enjoy:
Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary
Equipment
- 1 Small or medium saucepan
- 1 Two slotted spoons
- 1 Parchment paper
- 1 Large baking sheet or rimmed dish
- 1 Bowl of sugar
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh cranberries or a bag of cranberries
- 15 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 cup of sugar organic cane sugar, granulated sugar, or your choice
- 1 cup water equal parts sugar and water for syrup
- ¼ cup Additional sugar for coating
Instructions
- Make the Simple Syrup: Combine 1 cup of sugar and ¾-1 cup of water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
- Sugar the Cranberries: Place fresh cranberries in the cooled syrup in small batches, ensuring each berry is well-coated.Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cranberries to a paper towel to tap off excess syrup. Then, drop them into a bowl of sugar and toss to coat using a separate slotted spoon.Lay the coated cranberries in a single layer on parchment paper placed in a rimmed dish or large baking sheet.
- Sugar the Rosemary: Dip the sprigs of rosemary by hand into the syrup, ensuring they're fully coated.Sprinkle them generously with sugar and lay them out on parchment paper or a cooling rack to dry.
- Dry and Store: Let the sugared cranberries and rosemary dry for a couple of hours until the sugar coating hardens.Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days.
Notes
Nutrition
These candied cranberries and sugared rosemary sprigs are the perfect addition to your holiday celebrations. Whether they're decorating your favorite desserts, adorning a festive cocktail, or sitting pretty on a dessert tray, they're sure to bring a little sparkle to your season.
If you make these, I'd love to see them! Tag me over on Instagram so I can see the finished product! From our homestead to yours, happy holidays!
I’ve been making these sugared cranberries and rosemary for the past few Christmases, and they’ve quickly become a must-do tradition in our house. The kids love helping roll them in sugar, and I love how they make every dessert and drink look so magical. They’re one of those simple little things that instantly make the holidays feel special.