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How to Make Sugared Fruit

What to learn how to make sugared fruit? It's a super simple and a super impressive way to fancy up any dessert! You can easily add a little sparkle to most fruits, flowers, and herbs!

* Make sure to read the entire blog post. Every step matters, and I’ll provide helpful tips along the way!

How To Make Sugared Fruit

I love the look of sugared fruit, especially blackberries with their bumpy texture and rich dark purple/black colour peeking through the delicate white sugar. You could also use whole pears, grapes and apples as decorative centerpieces or displayed on a dessert buffet to add an elegant flair. This was very popular back in Victorian times displayed on buffet tables.

Sugared fruit is nice because you can easily dress up the simplest desserts or even add sugared fruit to a holiday cheese platter to make the platter sparkle! Bonus, it’s gluten free too!  Sprinkle the plate with sugared berries and chocolate, and voila a little bit of elegance to a simple dish!  You could have custard or yogurt topped with sugared fruit, honey and crushed nuts. I made a no bake coconut tart and put the sugared berries on top.  The recipe was easy but it looked like I spent hours on it!

French Lemon Tart with Sugared Blueberries
French Lemon Tart with Sugared Blueberries

Ingredients:

It doesn’t get any simpler than this for ingredients! It’s important to buy the right sugar when making sugared fruit.

  • Egg White
  • Fruit
  • Instant sugar (also known as extra fine or fruit sugar)

Plan Ahead

It just takes a little planning ahead of time, as you have to let the sugared fruit air dry and the longer you let it dry the better it will be.  It’s best to use fruit that has a skin on it and is not too juicy. If there is any juice or moisture the sugar will not coat. Also, use full pieces of fruit that aren’t as ripe. And never use fruit that is sliced as there is a different method to this! You can learn how to make sliced sugared lemon and limes here.

At Christmas time I like to make sugared rosemary and cranberries to decorate holiday baking. It’s the same method but make sure you use fresh cranberries as frozen cranberries will not work.

No Bake Coconut Tart
No Bake Coconut Tart with Sugared Fruit

Sugared Fruit Tips

  1. Use instant sugar also known as super fine sugar or caster sugar. Granulated sugar and powdered sugar will not work.
  2. If your fruit is overripe don’t use it. Use fruit that isn’t as ripe as it will last longer and won’t be as juicy.
  3. Use whole fruit that has a skin on it.
  4. Don’t use frozen fruit as the sugar will not coat.
  5. After washing the fruit, make sure the fruit is completely dry.
  6. Store fruit at room temperature in a container with the lid off. If possible lay the fruit out in a single layer.
  7. Make sure to use organic/edible flowers for sugaring.

How To Make Sugared Fruit

Step 1: Lightly beat egg white. Brush fruit with egg white and drop into a bowl of sugar. Make sure not to douse the fruit in the egg white, you only need a little to coat the fruit.

Step 2: Roll fruit in sugar to cover. Making sure to cover the entire fruit completely. Gently place sugared fruit on a drying rack.

Step 3: Let the fruit air dry until the sugar has set and is hard.

How To Make Sugared Fruit
Sugared Blackberries
How To Make Sugared Fruit
Sugared Rosemary and Cranberries
Sugared Rosemary & Cranberries

I hope you have fun making this easy recipe, I promise you’ll impress your guests! If you’re looking for something yummy to use your pretty fruit with, check out my No Bake Coconut Tart Recipe!

Print

How to Make Sugared Fruit

Sugared fruit is a simple and beautiful way to decorate cakes, tarts and dessert tables.

  • Author: Alie Romano
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Yield: 1 cup
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

  • egg white
  • instant sugar (fruit sugar, superfine sugar)
  • fresh berries

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl lightly beat egg white.
  2. Then lightly and gently brush fruit with egg white.
  3. Drop fruit in a shallow bowl of instant sugar coating the fruit entirely.
  4. Spoon fruit on to a drying rack and let dry until hard, approx. 2 hours.

Notes

Store sugared fruit at room temperature in a non-humid environment. If the fruit is stored with moisture the sugar will dissolve into a syrup like consistency. Spread fruit out in a single layer in a container with the lid ajar.

It’s best to use fruit that isn’t too ripe, as it will be difficult to coat the berries and the shelf life is much shorter.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 raspberry
  • Calories: 4
  • Sugar: 0.3g
  • Sodium: 2mg
  • Fat: 0
  • Saturated Fat: 0
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 0.8g
  • Fiber: 0.4g
  • Protein: 0.3g
  • Cholesterol: 0

Keywords: Sugared Fruit, Fruit, Decorating, Treat

Did you make this recipe?

Write a review and let me know!

Share a photo and tag me on Instagram @bakingforfriends_

I can’t wait to see what you’ve made! xo alie

FAQ’s

How long does sugared fruit last?

Most sugared fruit can last up to 7 days but it all depends on the type of fruit and its freshness. The riper the fruit the quicker it will spoil. Use fruit that is less ripe and avoid using fruit with broken skin. This will help your sugared fruit to last longer.

How to store sugared fruit?

Store sugared fruit at room temperature in a non-humid environment. If the fruit is stored with moisture the sugar will dissolve into a syrup like consistency. Spread fruit out in a single layer in a container with the lid ajar. Also, keep fruit away from direct sunlight as this will spoil your fruit faster.

What is instant sugar?

Instant sugar is extra fine sugar crystals that dissolve quickly. It’s also known as fruit sugar or superfine sugar. It’s popular in recipes that require the sugar to break down quickly such as meringues.

How to use sugared fruit?

Sugared fruit was popular in the victorian times and used to decorate tables for the wealthy. Nowadays, sugared fruit is used to decorate cakes, cupcakes, tarts, cocktails and cheese boards. It easily transforms a simple dessert into something spectacular. You can also sugar edible flowers and herbs like roses, and rosemary.

You may also like:

No Bake Coconut Tart
Sugared Lemons and Limes

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Jennifer
Jennifer
4 years ago

Hi, how long do the sugared berries last? I’m thinking of using them as a cake topper.
Thanks.

Jennifer
Jennifer
4 years ago

Thanks. Was thinking along the lines of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. Saw on another site that they’d only last 12 hours max which isn’t very convenient! Also, would the sugaring still work if the fruit is sliced? Like a strawberry?

Amanda
Amanda
3 years ago
Rating :
     

I have never heard of instant sugar, can you use confectionery sugar? Or just very fine regular sugar?

Lynne
Lynne
3 years ago

Are these edible with the raw egg white? Want to use some decorate cupcakes for a wedding.

shaysha kingsbury
shaysha kingsbury
3 years ago
Rating :
     

I want to use sugared fruit on mini cheesecakes that will have a small amount of jam on top of each before adding the berries. My question is…will the moisture from the jam cause the berries/fruit to disintegrate?

Karen
Karen
3 years ago

These will go on a wedding cake and will touch the icing. Will about 5-6 hours in advance ok to place them. The cake will be staying at room temperature by that point.

Is it any better to use the special “sugaring” sugar in decorating aisles?

danielle
danielle
2 years ago
Rating :
     

Hi, is fine sugar the same as caster sugar? I think confection sugar is like icing sugar right, and you say that won’t work?

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago

How do you store fruit to last days? My blueberries lasted about a day stored in a glass container on counter.

Brian
Brian
2 years ago

Reading your recipe online,, looks good! But halfway through an add is shown, how to clean ear wax!! With a picture of a big chunk! Disgusting, total turn off when I’m looking at your recipe, don’t know if you can control this but I sure don’t want to see that when I’m cooking!!

vuasongbac
vuasongbac
2 years ago

I love this recipe

Ruthann
Ruthann
2 years ago

What is instant sugar and where do you buy it?

Mel
Mel
1 year ago
Rating :
     

These look amazing! Can I make the blueberries and put them on top of a cake and cupcakes? Will they not bleed onto the buttercream?

Francine
Francine
1 year ago
Rating :
     

Hi There,
How far in advance do you suggest placing the sugared fruit on a buttercream frosted cake ? and will storing it in the fridge cause any unexpected outcome? Lol ?

Betty
Betty
5 months ago

Is it safe to eat with the raw egg white?

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Meet

Alie

I'm a professional baker, recipe developer & photographer behind Baking For Friends. I specialize in classic & comforting baking. I hope you enjoy the recipes & find inspiration of your own to bring your family & friends together over home-cooked food!

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