Add 1/2 cup sugar and water into a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir continually until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in cranberries, making sure they are all coated with the mixture. Transfer cranberries onto a wire rack with parchment paper underneath it. Let dry at least one hour.

Roll the cranberries in the remaining sugar and transfer back to wire rack. Let dry before serving.