A treasure trove of healthy recipes: homemade candied cranberries

The health benefits of cranberries with sugar

Sugar not only softens the berry's acidity but also provides nutrition. Glucose is especially important for mental work. This treat is not suitable for people with diabetes, so the sugar is replaced with honey.

Cranberries provide the body with vitamin C, which is easily absorbed thanks to their vitamin PP content. Skin problems (dryness, flaking, dermatitis) and a general lack of vitality are signs of a vitamin C and PP deficiency. People with citrus allergies can replace these sources of ascorbic acid with cranberries.

Thanks to the B vitamins and magnesium found in this tart berry, regular consumption has a beneficial effect on the nervous system: anxiety is alleviated, sleep is normalized. Cranberries are beneficial for those with nearsightedness due to their high phosphorus content. They also contain potassium, iodine, iron, and manganese, essential for the proper functioning of all body systems.

Selecting and preparing berries

Cranberry drops are available in stores, but they're easy to make at home. All the necessary ingredients are readily available to any culinary enthusiast. For making cranberry candies, it's best to use fresh, firm berries. For fruit drinks or purees, use frozen ones from the supermarket. To prepare candied cranberries, choose large berries and use the smaller ones for fruit drink.

The berries must be washed and then completely dried on a towel. This can take up to 8 hours, so it's best to leave them overnight. Residual moisture on the berries reduces their quality and shelf life. Wet cranberries won't be able to properly soak into the glaze.

Video: "Cranberries in Sugar, Classic Recipe"

This video presents a detailed master class on how to prepare a healthy dessert.

Sugar-coated cranberries recipes

Classic version

Ingredients:

• 0.5 kg cranberries;
• 0.5 kg sugar (powdered sugar);
• 2 egg whites.

Without beating, fold in the fresh egg whites. Air in the egg whites will prevent the berries from forming a uniform layer. Place the washed and dried berries into the egg whites and mix. Remove with a slotted spoon and roll in powdered sugar. Once a thick, even layer has formed, remove the berries and store them in a storage container.

A no-cook winter recipe

Heat-treating fruits and vegetables reduces their nutritional value. This recipe will preserve all the vitamins naturally found in cranberries. You'll need the following ingredients:

• cranberries – 1 kg;
• sugar – 4 cups.

Sprinkle the prepared cranberries with 3 cups of sugar, crush them with a mortar and pestle, and let them sit until the cranberries release their juices. Place the mixture into clean, dry jars, leaving a 2-cm gap from the rim. Cover the cranberries in the jars with circles cut from parchment paper, and sprinkle sugar on top. Seal the jars tightly. This will create a sort of sugar plug above the cranberry mixture.

Ground with sugar

For every 1 kg of fresh berries, add 1 kg of sugar. Prepared, clean, and dry berries are ground through a meat grinder, thoroughly mixed with sugar, and placed in sterile glass jars with lids.

With powdered sugar

To prepare the dessert you will need:

• 1 cup berries;
• 1 chicken egg;
• 1 cup powdered sugar;
• 1 tbsp. potato starch.

Separate the yolk from the white, lightly beat the white until foamy, and dip the berries into the mixture until they are completely coated. Remove the cranberries with a slotted spoon and roll them in a mixture of powdered sugar and potato starch. Place the finished candies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and dry in the oven at a temperature no higher than 50°C.

There are several variations of this recipe, including one that adds lemon. To prepare, you'll need:

• 300 g cranberries;
• 1 egg;
• 1.5 tbsp or 20 g lemon juice;
• 150 g powdered sugar.

Mix the egg white with lemon juice and dip the berries in it. Roll the wet cranberries in powdered sugar and arrange them on a baking sheet. Dry in the oven at 40°C for 20 minutes.

With the addition of oranges

The orange flavor complements the cranberry well and eliminates its distinctive notes. Take 3 oranges and 1 kg each of berries and sugar. Peel the citrus fruits, but don't discard the zest; finely grate it. Squeeze the orange juice, add sugar, and heat over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, but don't let it boil.

Add the prepared berries and zest to the prepared syrup and simmer on the stove for 10 minutes, until the cranberries begin to crack. It's important not to let the dessert boil. Pour into sterilized jars and seal with lids.

With syrup glaze

You'll need 1 cup each of cranberries, powdered sugar, and 0.5 cups each of sugar and water. Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Roll the washed cranberries in the powdered sugar, then add them to the prepared syrup to coat. Remove them with a slotted spoon to a board or baking sheet to dry. If desired, you can add vanilla or your favorite spices to the powdered sugar.

If you're making multiple layers of glaze and powder, you can soak the cranberries in the syrup overnight to ensure they're thoroughly infused. The remaining syrup will absorb the flavor of the berries, so don't throw it away—it makes a great addition to cocktails.

For storage in the freezer

If you don't have room for a jar of cranberries, you can store them in the freezer, sealed in a plastic bag. For this preparation, use 0.4 kg of sugar per 1.5 kg of berries. Grind the prepared berries in a blender or meat grinder, add the sugar, and mix thoroughly. Place the mixture into freezer bags. For ease of storage, score the bags with a ruler to create individual portions. To make the bags easier to fit in the freezer, shape them flat and thin.

Preparation using a blender

Blending berries is easier and faster than using a meat grinder. Prepared berries are mixed with sugar in a 1:1 ratio and then ground in a bowl or with an immersion blender. Spices, vanilla, or finely chopped zest can be added to taste. Pour the finished mixture into sterilized jars with lids. Plastic containers are convenient for storing the mixture in the refrigerator or freezer.

Storage rules and recommendations for use

When rolling cranberries in powdered sugar and syrup, the berries stick to your hands, so for convenience, it is better to use gloves or a silicone brush.

Sugar-coated cranberries are a unique candy that has a long shelf life when stored properly. They are typically stored in cardboard or tin boxes or jars with lids.

It is important that the storage area is not damp, otherwise the icing will run and the candies will stick together.

Beautifully packaged candied cranberries make a delightful New Year's gift. For a festive touch, add your favorite spices and tie the box with a ribbon. Serve candied cranberries as a dessert with hot tea, adding variety to your home menu. They can also be used to decorate cakes or sandwiches.

Cranberries are recommended for the treatment and prevention of many ailments, and are especially beneficial for the kidneys, despite their acidity. They are used to make various desserts that are as good as store-bought candies, and even superior due to the lack of chemical additives.