Rinse and fully dry fresh whole cranberries
Combine equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until dissolved and translucent, making a simple syrup
Remove the simple syrup from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature
Coat fresh cranberries in simple syrup and allow them to dry on a wire rack until tacky
Coat tacky cranberries in vanilla sugar
Serve fresh or store in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 3 days