Sugared Cranberries

The perfect holiday treat is sugared cranberries! Fresh cranberries are soaked in a syrup of orange and cinnamon, then coated in sugar. Use this candied fruit to decorate holiday cakes or to enhance your cookie tray. This recipe for sugared cranberries is so simple! These are going to be a hit!

Since when are cranberries Mediterranean, you may ask? They are not Mediterranean, but eating fruit for dessert is common in these countries by the sea. This Sugared Cranberry Recipe is a great way to combine Mediterranean culture and North American cuisine!

Canning cranberries ranks right up there with other treats such as candied orange peels or chocolate covered dates. The candied fruit is the star, while sugar plays a supporting role. Since I started making them, my friends and family have requested them every year.

This recipe uses sugar to make a soaking solution. For extra flavor and spice, I add cinnamon and orange peel. The soaking sugar is strained and the cranberries rolled in glittery superfine powdered sugar. The tartness of the cranberries, combined with a light sugar coating, makes for an all-natural sweet and tart treat.

These glistening wonders can be used as a snack, as an edible decoration for your holiday cookie platter, or to top desserts such as Olive Oil Chocolate Mousse, or Crema Catalana, another creamy, spoonable favorite.

Ingredients in Sugared Cranberries

Ingredients for sugared cranberries are very few. Sugar, cranberries, and superfine white sugar are all you need. Orange peel and cinnamon sticks are optional but add a nice touch, especially if the syrup is used to flavor sparkling water.

• Fresh Cranberries: This bright red North American staple for the holidays is extremely tart. To tame it, a long soak is required in a spiced sugary syrup.
• Granulated Sugar:Combines water to create a simple syrup.
• Orange: This sweet citrus pairs well with cranberries. You only need the outer zest. Leave as much white pith as possible.
• Cinnamon sticks (optional). Orange and cinnamon are two of my favorite flavors. My home is filled with cinnamon during the holidays.
• Superfine Sugar:Superfine Sugar is also known as Baker's Sugar. The sugar granules have a size that is somewhere between powdered and granulated. Most grocery stores carry it. You can coat the cranberries with granulated or superfine sugar if you don't have any. However, it will not stick to the cranberries as well and won't look as sparkly. Superfine sugar can be made at home. You can find instructions for this later in the article.

How to Make Sugared Cranberries

Pay attention to these two points when you're making sugared Cranberries. Don't add cranberries when the syrup is super hot, or they'll pop. The second step is to drain the cranberries before sugaring them. However, do not let them completely dry. This will ensure that you get a uniform coating. It's easy to make candied fruit and, if you have children at home who love sugaring, they will enjoy this part.

• Prepare Fruit: Sort and rinse the cranberries. Toss any that are broken or shriveled. Set aside. Remove orange peel strips using a vegetable peeler. Be careful not to remove any white pith. You only want the orange's outer zest. Save the orange and use it for another occasion or to make Challah French Toast Orange Honey Syrup.
• Prepare the simple syrup.Place a medium saucepan on medium heat. Add the orange peel and cinnamon stick to the water, sugar, and orange peel. Stir occasionally while bringing it to a gentle simmer. Let it cool down for 5 minutes.
• Add cranberries Stir the cranberries into the simple syrup, then add the orange peel and cinnamon stick. Transfer everything, including the cranberries, to a bowl or container. If the cranberries float, you can weight them down using a plate. Cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
• Drain the cranberries: Spread 3/4 cup of superfine sugar onto a baking sheet that has a rim and cover it with parchment paper. If you have weighed down the cranberries with a dish or plate, remove it. Drain the cranberries in a fine-mesh strainer placed over a bowl. The liquid can be used to make cocktails or to flavor sparkling waters. It will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
• Sugaring the Berries:Shake the berries well, then transfer one spoonful of them at a time onto the sugared baking tray. Shake the baking tray back and forth, to evenly coat the berries.
• Transfer the sugared strawberries to the baking sheet with parchment paper. Be sure that the berries do not touch. Repeat until all berries are sugared. Allow to dry at room temp for 60-90 minutes. Transfer to an airtight jar and store in a dry, cool place. Sugared cranberries can be stored for up to one week but are best eaten within two to three days. Use them as a snack, to decorate your cookie trays, or for cocktails, cakes and cupcakes.

How To Make Superfine Sugar

Never fear if you don't own superfine or baking sugar. Place granulated Sugar in a Food Processor and pulse 6-8 times, checking your progress. The sugar granules should be smaller than granulated, but not so tiny that they look like powdered. The glitter should still be visible.

How to season sugared cranberries

Why not spice up your candy? The recipe for sugared cranberries is easy to modify and experiment with. Make it your own.

Try any of the variations below or keep this recipe with orange and cinnamon.

• Add some cloves, cardamom pods, or allspice.
• Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme add a new dimension to your dish. Fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme or orange (rosemary with orange is another of my favorites) can add a new element. This is a great drink, especially if your preference is for savory drinks.
• Fresh ginger will give it a spicy kick.

Use of Soaking Syrup

Simple syrup can be spiced up with herbs and spices for a delicious cocktail. This recipe for sugared dried cranberries is full of flavor, and the syrup has a gorgeous red color. Why not use it?

Store the simple syrup in a swing-top bottle or a ball jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Here are a few ways to make use of simple syrup.

• If you want to be fancy, add soaking liquid into your favorite sparkling water!
• If you want to kick up the ante on your sparkling water, add some half-and-half to make it creamier like Italian soda. When I was a child, I made these all the time.
• For the holidays, make a vodka soda with the sugared cranberries. Garnish with sprigs of rosemary and some soaking water.
• Add a few drops of soaking syrup at the bottom of your champagne flute, then top it with your favorite bubbly.
• This soaking syrup can be used to add moisture to a cake. Drizzle or brush it on each layer.

How to store and use candied fruit

For a while, my children believed that these sugared dried cranberries were nature's sour patches. This fruit, which is sweet on the outside and tart on the interior, is perfect for when you want something sweet.

They also add a festive feel when placed on a drink using a cocktail pick. Or sprinkle them on top of cheesecakes, chocolate mousses, custardy creme Catalan, or cookie trays.

Keep them in an airtight jar on your counter. They should last about 3 days. The sugar coating may start to weep, but they are still edible up to one week. Sugar is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture from the air. The sugar shell of the cranberries will soften after 2 to 3 days, or if they are in an area with high humidity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do to lose weight with the Mediterranean diet?

It is possible to lose weight by following the Mediterranean Diet. Because the diet focuses on whole foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and olive oil, it can reduce calories and provide vital nutrients for your overall health and well-being. Incorporating exercise into your diet can help to lose excess calories and aid in weight loss. A positive mindset, coupled with a reduction in processed foods, red-meat consumption, and sugar intake, can help to maintain a healthy body weight.

Can the Mediterranean Diet be vegetarian

Yes, the Mediterranean Diet is adaptable to vegetarianism. To follow this eating pattern, vegetarians can avoid meat, poultry, and fish. You can choose from a variety of plant-based protein sources, such as legumes, nuts and seeds. These are all staples in the Mediterranean Diet. Healthy fats such as olive oils, olives, or avocados can help to replace the protein source. Alternate dairy sources, such as soy yogurt or tofu, can be used to supplement the diet. Another option is to make hummus from mashed beans, add nuts and seeds to bowls and salads, have hummus with vegetables as snacks, or replace ice cream with frozen bananas for dessert.

Is the Mediterranean Diet gluten-free possible?

Yes, the Mediterranean diet can be modified to be gluten-free. Instead of using whole-grain carbohydrate sources like wheat and barley, you can incorporate gluten-free grains, such as millet (or quinoa), into your meals. You should also include fresh fruits, such as melon and pear, legumes, nuts and seeds, in your diet. For added protein sources such as dairy, choosing lactose-free products is sometimes beneficial for individuals intolerant to milk and gluten. For example, porridge can be substituted for oats and baked salmon with potatoes or bean soup as lunch. You could also roast vegetables with herbs for dinner.

Statistics

• Other components in tomatoes may help reduce the risk of blood clots, thereby protecting against cardiovascular disease, according to a March 2019 review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. (everydayhealth.com)
• Benefits of Replacing foods high in saturated fats (like butter) with plant sources high in monounsaturated fatty acids, like olive oil, may help lower the risk of heart disease by 19 percent, according to research. (everydayhealth.com)
• 1g sugar Benefits Rich in heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, these nuts may also favourably impact your gut microbiome (and thus improve digestive health) and lower LDL cholesterol, according to a small study that included 18 healthy adults. (everydayhealth.com)
• In one study, the healthiest eaters at age 50 had a nearly 90% lower risk of dementia than those with the least healthy diets. (heart.org)

External Links

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• (PDF). The Association Between Dietary Patterns AND Insulin Resistance: Systematic Review


• (PDF). Citrus as a Mediterranean Diet Component

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• American Heart Association


• What is the Mediterranean Diet (or Mediterranean Diet)?

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• Health Benefits from the Mediterranean Diet: Metabolic & Molecular Mechanisms – PubMed


• PubMed: Cardiovascular Health and The Mediterranean Diet - PubMed

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• Mediterranean Diet

How To

How does the Mediterranean diet support brain health and decrease cognitive decline?

Mediterranean diet is an eating pattern that emphasizes fruits, vegetables legumes, whole grains and nuts. However, it is low in red meat, added sugar, and high in fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts and healthy fats. It has been shown to have many health benefits, including better brain function. Research shows that the Mediterranean Diet may reduce dementia risk and slow age-related cognitive loss. It may also boost mood disorders and offer protective benefits against aging-related oxidative damage.

The Mediterranean diet supports brain health and helps to reduce cognitive decline. Consuming large amounts of antioxidant rich plant foods, such as fruits or vegetables, is one of the best ways to support healthy neurological functioning. Additionally, monounsaturated fat from sources like olive oil contributes to maintaining adequate omega-3 levels in the body--a critical component in optimal brain functioning. Lastly, limiting processed carbohydrates may also support better mental clarity by stabilizing blood glucose levels throughout the day and reducing inflammation associated with chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's or stroke.

A Mediterranean diet that includes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean protein like poultry or fish; whole grains; plenty of healthy fats from olive oils; occasional red wine; moderate dairy intakes such as yogurt and cheese will help to maintain adequate nutrition over time. This will help reduce cognitive decline. In addition, regular vigorous exercise will strengthen serotonin, which is a key component of mental well being. Combining these tips can increase one's odds of attaining good physical and mental health status into old age.

Resources:

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