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Cranberry Jelly Candy

Cranberry jelly candy is made by simmering fresh cranberries, straining them smooth, and cooking the puree with sugar and pectin until it reaches 224°F. Cut the firm, tangy jelly into 1-inch squares and toss them in sugar for a sparkly coating.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 27 minutes
Setting 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours 47 minutes
Servings: 64 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 45
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the candy and coating
  • 1 bag (12 oz) fresh cranberries
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 3 cups granulated sugar divided
  • 1 tbsp powdered fruit pectin regular
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Equipment

  • 1 8-inch square baking pan
  • 1 3-quart saucepan

Method
 

Make the jelly
  1. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
  2. Combine the cranberries and water in a 3-quart saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then simmer for 10-12 minutes until the berries have burst and softened.
  3. Puree the berries and cooking liquid, then press the puree through a fine-mesh sieve back into the saucepan.
  4. Whisk the pectin with 1/4 cup of the sugar, then stir it and the lemon juice into the puree and bring to a full boil over medium-high heat.
  5. Stir in 1 3/4 cups of the remaining sugar and cook, stirring constantly, for 8-15 minutes until a candy thermometer reads 224°F.
  6. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and cool at room temperature until firm, then leave uncovered for 12-24 hours until the surface is slightly tacky but not wet.
Cut and coat
  1. Use the parchment overhang to lift the jelly from the pan and cut it into 1-inch squares with a sharp knife.
  2. Toss the squares in the remaining 1 cup sugar to coat.

Notes

For the cleanest squares, wait until the jelly is firm and the surface is slightly tacky but not wet before cutting and coating. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 14 days; freezing is not recommended because it can affect the texture. For a vegan batch, choose certified vegan granulated sugar.