Sugared Cranberries

I "heart" cranberries! so I love cranberries anyway but these are highly addictive. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Don't they just scream Christmas? How pretty would these look in a bowl right next to the nuts? or on the dessert table? or I don't know, just put a bowl of them in every room of my house because I want to eat them all the time. I think the antioxidants in the cranberries justifies all the sugar. Are you with me on this?

Ingredients:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 3/4 superfine sugar

Directions:

1. combine granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring mixture until sugar dissolves.
2. bring to a simmer; remove from heat. (Do not boil or the cranberries may pop when added.)
3. stir in cranberries
4. pour mixture into a bowl. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
5. drain cranberries in a colander
6. place superfine sugar* in a shallow dish. Add the cranberries in small batches of 20 -30 at a time, rolling to coat with sugar.
7. carefully place sugared cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature 1 hour or until dry.

Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a week.

*to make your own superfine sugar, process a cup of granulated sugar in the food processor for 30 seconds to one minute

I used them as a garnish on these cupcakes I made for a bridal shower. The wedding colors are black white and red so we wanted to incorporate the same theme into the shower.