Sweet-Tart Cherry Soaked Cranberries are a fun way to dress up fresh cranberries with a little extra flavor. They soak overnight in lemon-lime soda, maraschino cherry juice, sugar, and grenadine before being coated in powdered sugar and briefly dried in the oven. The soaking liquid gives the cranberries a little time to plump up, creating a fun little burst of sweet-tart cherry flavor when you bite into them.
My niece called these popping cranberries, which is a fun name for them. I originally tried a recipe I found for candied cranberries that uses orange juice, but the flavor was much too tart for our liking.
After a little experimenting in the kitchen, I came up with this cherry version, and we like it much better!
Why the Cranberries Pop: The 24-hour soak allows the cranberries to absorb some of the flavorful liquid and plump up slightly. This gives them their signature popping quality when you bite into them.
These are especially nice during the holiday season when fresh cranberries are easy to find. Serve them in a small bowl as a sweet treat, add them to a holiday snack tray, or package them in little containers for sharing.
Why You’ll Love These Cranberries
- A fun twist on fresh cranberries. The cherry juice and grenadine give the cranberries a different flavor than traditional sugared cranberries.
- Easy to prepare. Most of the time is hands-off while the cranberries soak in the refrigerator.
- A pretty addition to holiday gatherings. Their bright red color and snowy powdered sugar coating make a festive presentation.
- Easy to customize. You can change the soaking liquid and flavors to create several different versions.
- A fun little pop when you bite into them. The cranberries plump up slightly as they soak, giving them that enjoyable burst of tart cranberry flavor with a sweet cherry finish.
Sweet-Tart Cherry Soaked Cranberries Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 Ounces Fresh Cranberries 1 bag
- 2 Cups Lemon-Lime Soda
- 1 Cup Maraschino Cherry Juice
- ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Grenadine
- 1½ Cups Powdered Sugar without cornstarch (made with tapioca starch)
Instructions
Soak the Cranberries
- Rinse the fresh cranberries and remove any soft or damaged berries.12 Ounces Fresh Cranberries
- Place the cranberries in a container with a lid.
- Add the lemon-lime soda, maraschino cherry juice, granulated sugar, and grenadine. Stir gently to combine.2 Cups Lemon-Lime Soda, 1 Cup Maraschino Cherry Juice, ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar, 2 Tablespoons Grenadine
- Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.
Drain and Coat
- Drain the cranberries in a colander, allowing excess liquid to drip away.
- Preheat the oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the drained cranberries in a large resealable plastic bag.
- Add the powdered sugar and gently shake until the cranberries are evenly coated. Add a little more powdered sugar if needed.1½ Cups Powdered Sugar
Dry the Cranberries
- Spread the coated cranberries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 6 minutes. Set a timer so they do not remain in the oven too long.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cranberries to cool completely before serving.
Notes
Tips for Making Cherry Soaked Cranberries
Use fresh, firm cranberries. Choose cranberries that are plump and firm. Pick through the bag and remove any soft, shriveled, or damaged berries. Allow enough soaking time. Refrigerating the cranberries for 24 hours gives them time to absorb the flavors from the lemon-lime soda, maraschino cherry juice, and grenadine. Drain them well. After soaking, let the cranberries drain in a colander. Too much liquid left on the berries can make it difficult for the powdered sugar to stick evenly. Watch the oven closely. The short time in the oven helps dry the coating. These do not need to bake like traditional cookies or candied fruit. Set a timer and remove them after 6 minutes. Let them cool completely. Allow the cranberries to cool before serving so the coating has time to set. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container.Nutrition
Recipe Variations
There are so many fun ways to change the flavor of these little cranberry poppers! The original recipe uses lemon-lime soda and orange juice, but you can experiment with different sodas, fruit juices, and flavored syrups to create something a little different. Some combinations will be sweeter, while others will have more of that sweet-tart cranberry flavor.
Each variation below is designed for one 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries. Keep the same soaking,draining, powdered sugar coating, and baking method as the original recipe.
Original Orange Cranberries
This is the version that inspired our recipe. It uses orange juice and lemon-lime soda for a bright citrus flavor. We found it quite tart, though. Both cranberries and orange juice have a natural tang, so the combination may need additional sweetness if you prefer a milder flavor. It is a good starting point if you enjoy a more pronounced tartness.
- 2 cups lemon-lime soda
- 1 cup orange juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Cherry Vanilla Cranberries
Almost like a little holiday candy! Cream soda adds a sweeter, smoother flavor than lemon-lime soda, while maraschino cherry juice brings that familiar cherry taste. A touch of vanilla rounds everything out. This is one I would especially recommend trying if you prefer a sweeter cranberry treat.
- 2 cups cream soda
- 1 cup maraschino cherry juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Strawberry Cream Cranberries
Strawberry soda gives these cranberries a fun fruity flavor, while the cream soda adds a smooth sweetness. This combination would be especially pretty for a holiday dessert table. It is a nice choice if you want something different from the traditional citrus and cherry flavors.
- 1 cup strawberry soda
- 1 cup cream soda
- 1 cup strawberry juice
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Raspberry Lemonade Cranberries
For a brighter berry flavor, try raspberry juice with lemonade. The raspberries bring a fruity sweetness, while lemonade adds a little citrus tang. This is a nice combination for anyone who enjoys a balance of sweet and tart flavors.
- 1 cup lemon-lime soda
- 1 cup lemonade
- 1 cup raspberry juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Pomegranate Cranberries
Pomegranate juice has a deep fruity flavor that pairs naturally with cranberries. It adds a little more tartness, so this variation is best for those who enjoy a bolder fruit flavor. The beautiful red color also makes these a pretty addition to a Christmas snack table.
- 2 cups lemon-lime soda
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
Cherry Cola Cranberries
If you enjoy cherry cola, this is a fun flavor combination to try. Cola brings a caramel-like sweetness, while maraschino cherry juice adds a familiar cherry flavor. The result should be a little different from the original recipe, with a deeper soda-shop flavor.
- 2 cups cherry cola
- 1 cup maraschino cherry juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
A Few Final Thoughts on Flavor
The fun of this recipe is that you can change the soaking liquid to suit your taste. Cream soda, fruit-flavored sodas, and cherry juice are all interesting places to start. If you enjoy a sweeter treat, look for combinations that bring some natural sweetness to the cranberries rather than relying on the powdered sugar coating alone.
You can even make an adults-only version for holiday gatherings by replacing a little of the soda with your favorite cherry-flavored liqueur or vodka. Just keep in mind that the alcohol will change the flavor, so start with a small amount.
Our sweet-tart cherry version with maraschino cherry juice and grenadine is still our favorite. But I think it would be fun to set out a couple of different flavors in little serving bowls at your next holiday gathering and let everyone try them. You might discover a new family favorite!
Serving Ideas
These sweet-tart cranberries are especially pretty during the holidays. Here are a few ways to serve them:
- Set them out in a small serving bowl with other holiday treats.
- Add a handful to a dessert or appetizer table.
- Serve them alongside cookies, fudge, and other homemade candies.
- Place them in small decorative bowls for a festive addition to a Christmas gathering.
- Package them in small food-safe containers for homemade gifts.
They also make a fun addition to a holiday snack board when you want something a little different from the usual sweets.
Making Cherry Soaked Cranberries Ahead for the Holidays
These cranberries are a great make-ahead treat for holiday gatherings because they need a full 24 hours to soak. We usually start soaking ours two days before our gathering, then drain, coat, and bake them the day before.
This gives us one less thing to worry about on the day of the celebration. Just before guests arrive, transfer the cranberries to a pretty serving bowl and set them out for everyone to enjoy. They’re a fun little snack while family and friends visit and wait for the holiday feast.
Storage
Store the cooled cranberries in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the powdered sugar coating can absorb moisture over time, so they are best enjoyed shortly after preparing them.
A Little Something Different for the Holiday Table
These Sweet-Tart Cherry Soaked Cranberries have become one of our favorite little treats to serve during the holidays. I love that they can be made ahead, don’t require much hands-on time, and add something a little unexpected to the snack table. Their pretty red color makes them especially festive, and that little pop when you bite into one makes them fun to share.
Whether you make our cherry version or experiment with one of the other flavor combinations, I hope you enjoy these cranberry poppers as much as we do. They are a fun way to use fresh cranberries and add something different to your next holiday gathering!
Have you tried a different flavor combination? We’d love to hear what worked for you in the comments!
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