My Very Favorite Cranberry Recipe

My kindergartener is the “Star Student” this week, which means he gets to take a show and tell everyday, we filled out a little book all about him to share, and he can take special treats for the class each day. Needless to say, I’m happy that I finished almost all my holiday preparations last week. Anyway, we (and by that I mean “I” of course) needed to think of a clever treat for each day.

Today he took rainbow goldfish for his treat, because the box said it had “Finn Smiles” in it. His show and tell was the Matchbox HEMITT that St. Nicholas brought him last night. Tomorrow he wants to take his favorite fruit for a snack, and this is how you make it.

Sugared Cranberries

These are THE BEST little snack. They’re best when really cold, though, so you have this amazing little explosion of sweet, tart, a little crunchy, and juicy.

2 cups water
2 cups sugar
12 oz. fresh cranberries
3/4 cup superfine sugar

Combine the water and 2 cups sugar in a medium saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves. If you accidentally bring it to a boil, let it cool a little before you put the berries in. When the sugar is dissolved and the syrup is hot, but not boiling, add the cranberries. Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours. I usually do this in the morning and let them soak all day.

Drain the berries (save the syrup for making yummy cranberry mojitos!) and toss with superfine sugar to cover them.

Spread them out on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Dry at room temp or in the refrigerator for at least an hour. When they’re dry, you can keep them covered in the refrigerator for a week or so. Actually, I’m not sure about that, since ours disappear in a day or two. Or less.

I know they sound a little odd, but we love these at our house. Last year we took them to the preschool Christmas party and almost started a riot, all the kids loved them so much. They require very little hands-on work time, but you do need to make them at least 12 hours before you need them. And believe me, you NEED these!