Zingy Maple Cranberry Delights: A Perfect Fall Recipe

Sweet maple syrup elevates ordinary cranberries into an extraordinary culinary adventure that captivates taste buds with its rich, complex flavors.

These vibrant red jewels burst with tangy potential when married to the smooth, caramel-like essence of pure maple.

Complex flavor profiles emerge as tart meets sweet, creating a harmonious dance of complementary taste sensations.

Seasonal ingredients reveal unexpected depth when carefully combined with thoughtful techniques and nuanced approaches.

maple golden warmth softens cranberries’ natural sharpness, producing a delectable treat that feels simultaneously comforting and elegant.

Each ingredient contributes its unique character to this delightful creation, promising a sensory experience that transcends traditional expectations.

Bold yet balanced, this recipe invites you to craft something truly memorable.

Maple Infused Cranberries for a Sweet Addition

• Burst with Sweet-Tart Flavor: These maple-infused cranberries deliver an incredible balance of sweet maple richness and bright, tangy cranberry punch that will make your taste buds dance with excitement.
• Transform Simple Ingredients: With just a few basic pantry staples like sugar, water, and maple syrup, you can create a gourmet-style treat that looks and tastes incredibly sophisticated.
• Versatile Culinary Gem: These candied cranberries work magic as elegant garnishes for desserts, brilliant additions to cheese boards, delightful mix-ins for salads, or stunning toppings for holiday baked goods.
• Stress-Free Preparation: The recipe requires minimal active cooking time, uses straightforward techniques, and mostly involves patient waiting – perfect for home cooks who want impressive results without complicated steps.

Ingredients for Maple Infused Cranberries

Main Ingredients:

Fresh Cranberries: – Cranberries: Bright red, tart berries that provide the base for this delightful recipe, packed with natural flavor and vibrant color.

Maple Syrup: – Maple Syrup: Pure, rich sweetener that adds depth and a classic North American flavor to the cranberries.

Sweetening Ingredients:

Granulated Sugar, Light Brown Sugar: – Granulated Sugar, Light Brown Sugar: Essential sweeteners that balance the tartness of cranberries and create a glossy, caramelized coating.

Liquid Ingredients:

Water: – Water: Neutral liquid used to create the initial sugar syrup for infusing and softening the cranberries.

How to Make Maple Infused Cranberries

Step 1: Prepare the Cranberries

Carefully wash the cranberries under cool running water. Remove any bruised or soft berries. Gently pat the cranberries dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Ensure they are completely dry before moving to the next step.

Step 2: Create the Sugar Syrup

• Granulated sugar
• Water

Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar completely dissolves. Bring the syrup to a gentle simmer, then remove from the heat.

Step 3: Soak the Cranberries

Pour the warm sugar syrup over the cranberries, making sure they are fully covered. Cover the container and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. This process allows the cranberries to absorb the sweet flavor.

Step 4: Drain and Separate

Remove the cranberries from the syrup using a slotted spoon. Save the leftover syrup for other culinary adventures like cocktails or dessert toppings. Let the cranberries drain completely on a wire rack.

Step 5: Maple Coating Preparation

• Light brown sugar
• Maple syrup

Gently roll the drained cranberries in the maple mixture, ensuring each berry is evenly coated.

Step 6: Drying Process

Spread the maple-coated cranberries in a single layer on the baking sheet. Allow them to air dry for 1 hour or until the surface becomes slightly dry and no longer sticky.

Storage Tip: Store the maple-infused cranberries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Top Tips for Maple Infused Cranberries

• Select Premium Cranberries: Choose fresh, plump cranberries without bruises or soft spots for the best texture and flavor intensity.
• Control Sugar Syrup Temperature: Heat sugar mixture gently to prevent caramelization, which can alter the delicate cranberry taste.
• Master Perfect Soaking Time: Refrigerate cranberries for exactly 8-12 hours to maximize flavor absorption without making them overly soft.
• Use Precise Drying Technique: Spread cranberries in a single layer when air-drying to ensure even coating and prevent clumping.
• Store Strategically: Keep maple-infused cranberries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain their crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor.

Storing and Reheating Maple Infused Cranberries

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer your maple-infused cranberries into an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep them chilled in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days, maintaining their delightful texture and flavor.
• Freezer Preservation: Spread the cranberries on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze individually. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen cranberries will stay fresh for 2-3 months without losing their sweet-tart taste.
• Reheating Method: When ready to enjoy, remove the cranberries from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. For a warm serving, gently heat them in a skillet over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and preserve their delicate maple coating.

Pairing Maple Infused Cranberries with Cheese

• Pair Creamy Cheese Companions: Serve these maple-infused cranberries alongside a soft brie or tangy goat cheese to create a delightful contrast of sweet and savory flavors that dance on your palate.
• Sip Complementary Cocktail Magic: Mix a crisp maple old fashioned or a sparkling cranberry gin spritzer that echoes the recipe's maple and cranberry essence, elevating the tasting experience.
• Sprinkle Dessert Accent Brilliance: Scatter these gems over vanilla bean ice cream, creamy cheesecake, or fold into whipped cream for an instant gourmet touch that adds bursts of festive flavor and texture.
• Create Charcuterie Board Excitement: Arrange these maple cranberries among cured meats, nuts, and artisan crackers to provide a vibrant, sweet-tart element that breaks up rich, salty components on a memorable board.

Maple Infused Cranberries Variations to Try

• Sweet Maple Berry Blend: Swap cranberries with fresh raspberries or blueberries for a softer, sweeter infusion that captures summer's essence.
• Spiced Winter Version: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of clove to the maple coating for a warming seasonal flavor profile.
• Citrus Maple Burst: Incorporate orange zest and a splash of fresh orange juice into the sugar syrup for a bright, tangy complementary taste.
• Herbal Infusion Style: Mix in fresh rosemary or thyme during the syrup stage to create an unexpected herbal undertone that elevates the maple cranberry experience.

Maple Infused Cranberry Delights Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Maple Infused Cranberry Delights combine winter’s sweet and tart essence with Canadian maple sophistication. Homemade treats deliver festive comfort, bringing warmth to holiday tables and satisfying delicate dessert cravings with rustic elegance.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 (16-ounce / 454 grams) bag fresh cranberries, washed and drained

Sugars:

• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (150 grams) light brown sugar

Liquid Ingredient:

• 2 cups (473 milliliters) water
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) maple syrup

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Instructions

1. Meticulously rinse fresh cranberries under cool running water, carefully discarding any bruised or discolored fruits. Gently pat dry using clean paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine granulated sugar (200 grams or ) with water (240 milliliters or ). Apply medium heat, stirring consistently until sugar completely dissolves into a transparent liquid.
3. Elevate the mixture to a gentle simmer, then immediately remove from heat source. Allow the sugar syrup to cool slightly for 3-4 minutes.
4. Submerge cleaned cranberries into the warm sugar solution, ensuring complete coverage. Seal the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and transfer to refrigerator for 8-10 hours, enabling thorough flavor absorption.
5. Carefully drain cranberries using a fine-mesh strainer, reserving the infused syrup for alternative culinary applications like cocktail mixing or dessert embellishments.
6. Prepare a large baking sheet by sprinkling light brown sugar (100 grams or ) evenly across its surface. Drizzle pure maple syrup (60 milliliters or ) over the sugar.
7. Gently tumble strained cranberries into the maple-sugar mixture, ensuring each berry receives a uniform, glistening coating.
8. Arrange coated cranberries in a single, uncrowded layer on the baking sheet. Allow them to air dry for 45-60 minutes until they develop a slightly tacky, non-liquid texture.

Notes

• Choose ripe, firm cranberries without blemishes to ensure the best flavor and texture for your recipe.
• Soaking cranberries overnight in sugar syrup helps them absorb sweetness and become plump, transforming their naturally tart profile.
• Use a fine-mesh strainer when draining cranberries to prevent any small berries from slipping through during the process.
• Store leftover maple-infused syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, perfect for drizzling over desserts or mixing into beverages.
• Spread cranberries on a wire rack or parchment paper during drying to promote even air circulation and prevent sticking.
• Let cranberries cool completely before storing to prevent condensation, which can make them soggy and reduce their delightful crisp coating.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: North American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 238 kcal
• Sugar: 55 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Fat: 0.2 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 0.3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg