Sugared cranberries

These little jewels make a very pretty and moreish nibble over the festive period.  Before setting off for my walk I made a light sugar syrup. When it had cooled slightly I tipped some washed cranberries into the syrup. Then I decided to add the grated zest from an orange into it and left them for an hour before lifting them out and putting them to dry a little on a cooking sheet.  I've just rolled them in some cinnamon sugar to which I added a little more orange zest. They will develop a hard candy shell as they dry and will keep for several days. I've made them in the past and they last a couple of weeks but all the recipes say a few days. Don't throw away the syrup though as you can keep it in the fridge and make another batch or add it to festive cocktails. They are a lovely home made treat to add to a festive hamper too and they hardly cost anything to make.I have added a bit more sugar syrup to the pan and put a second batch of cranberries in to soak. They will stay in the syrup all day before being coated in sugar. 

A quick rinse is all the prep that they need

Before I added the orange zest

The sugar dries and creates a crisp candy shell