Popping Candied Cranberries (Viral Recipe)

Popping candied cranberries are a tart treat that is also sweet, and crunchy. Each bite makes a popping noise that is not only fun, but delicious to eat. Yes, they really do pop in your mouth with each bite. My granddaughter beat her mama with the loudest pop!

If you love cranberries, or cranberry sauce, you are going to love these popping candied cranberries. Even if you aren’t a cranberry lover, you might be surprised when you find yourself wanting more.

With four simple ingredients, this recipe is super easy to make. But first, you will need to soak the cranberries in lemon lime soda and apple cider juice for 24 hours in the refrigerator. So plan ahead the day before serving. Continue to full recipe below.

🔑 Key Basic Ingredients

• A 12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries – not frozen
• One 12 ounce can of lemon lime poppi soda – or whatever is your favorite
• 1 cup of apple cider 100% juice
• 1 cup of powdered sugar

👩‍🍳 How to Make Popping Cranberries

These step-by-step instructions are accompanied by detailed photos for enhanced clarity and guidance.

Step 1. Preheat Oven

Set the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2. Wash the Cranberries

The next step is to rinse the fresh cranberries. An easy way to do that is to dump 12 ounces (one 12 ounce bag) of fresh cranberries in a colander and rinse them in the sink under cold water from the faucet. After that, transfer the cranberries to a large bowl with a lid.

Hint: For the best texture, do not buy frozen cranberries from the freezer section of the grocery store. If you use frozen cranberries, they will end up being on the softer side after they thaw. They will not be firm like fresh cranberries, hence, no popping sound when you eat them.

Step 3. Add the Soda

Pour a twelve ounce can of lemon lime soda in the bowl together with the fresh cranberries. We used lemon lime soda, but if you want to use your favorite soda, you can.

Step 4. Pour in the Apple Cider Juice

Add 1 cup of apple cider juice to the bowl together with the cranberries and soda. Other choices of juice can also be orange juice or pineapple juice.

Step 5. Stir the Cranberry Mixture

Using a spoon or spatula, give the cranberries, soda, and apple cider juice a good stir to combine the ingredients altogether.

Step 6. Refrigerate the Cranberry Mixture

Put the lid on the bowl to cover the cranberry mixture, then put the bowl in the refrigerator for 24 hours. This method is a must. While the cranberries soak for 24 hours, the soda and apple cider juice penetrate into the cranberries, giving them a delicious unique flavor.

Step 7. Drain the Cranberries

After 24 hours, use a colander to drain the soda and apple cider liquid from the cranberries. You can also use a slotted spoon to remove the cranberries from the bowl if you don’t have a colander, then place the cranberries into a medium bowl. Another way would be to tip the bowl at an angle, hold the cranberries in place, then pour the liquid out.

Tip: You can drink the liquid from the cranberries, as to not waste it. It tastes good!

Step 8. Add the Powdered Sugar

Immediately, after the liquid is removed from the cranberries, put one cup of powdered sugar in the bowl with the drained cranberries and put the lid back on. Do not let the cranberries dry out. The drying process will prevent the powdered sugar from sticking to the cranberries. Continue to the next step below.

Step 9. Shake the Bowl

After you put the lid on the bowl, give the cranberries and powdered sugar a good shake. If you feel that there is not enough powdered sugar coating on the cranberries, feel free to add more powdered sugar. The goal is to completely cover the red color of the cranberries.

Step 10. Prepare a Parchment-Lined Baking Sheet

Take a piece of parchment paper and lay it over a cookie sheet.

Tip for the Next Step: If for any reason you do not have parchment paper, just put the powdered sugar coated cranberries on the baking sheet as is. do not spray non-stick cooking spray on the baking sheet. In the next step below, you will see that the cranberries are only going to be in the oven for about 5 minutes just to dry them out, not really bake them. As always, keep an eye on them while they are in the oven.

Step 11. Bake in the Oven

In a single layer, transfer the powdered sugar-coated cranberries from the bowl to the parchment paper. After that, put the popping candied cranberries in the preheated oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for five minutes, then, after they cool for a few minutes, put the popping candied cranberries back in the bowl with the lid on it, and then put them in the refrigerator for two hours.

Tip: If you want to get fancy with this holiday snack, arrange the popping cranberries on a small plate to serve. Enjoy!

🛒 Recipe Variations

• Try different juice and soda combinations, such as pineapple juice together with 7UP or Sprite, or orange juice with 7UP or Sprite.

🙋 FAQs

✏️ Final Thoughts

This viral candied cranberries recipe is a delicious tart treat with just the right amount of sweetness. And did I mention that they are so cute served on a plate at parties, special occasions, and during the holidays.

Add this popping cranberry recipe to your holiday dessert lineup—they’re adorable, eye-catching, and look just like tiny cranberry snowballs on your table.

🗂️ Recipe Card

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