sugared cranberries

Ingredients

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar

Note: if you can’t find superfine, create your own by adding granulated sugar to a food processor for about a minute.

Optional: A few grates of orange zest and 1 or 2 cloves or vanilla added to the syrup adds a deeper flavor. Tweak and twist it a bit to suit your flavor and make the recipe your own.

Directions

1. Using a toothpick, poke at least one hole in each cranberry to ensure the sweetened syrup gets inside the berry, otherwise they tend to be a bit too tart.
2. Combine sugar and water, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a simmer, not a boil and remove from heat.
3. Stir in cranberries, pour mixture into a medium bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. Remove cranberries and drain in a colander over bowl, reserving cranberry simple syrup. DO NOT RINSE the berries. The syrupy coating is needed. Refrigerate the left-over simple syrup for cocktails.
5. Place superfine or granulated sugar in a shallow dish or rimmed baking sheet, add cranberries and roll to coat completely with sugar. Note: if some of your berries are too wet, blot lightly with a paper towel, being careful not to dry them completely. This will help to keep the sugar from “clumping”.
6. Spread finished cranberries in a single layer on baking sheet lined with parchment. Let stand approx. 1 hour at room temperature until dry.