Cranberries are a delicious complementary ingredient that can be mixed in all kinds of dishes such as salads, yogurts, fillings, snack mixes, and much more. Cranberries have long been used as a food ingredient, medicine, and even a fabric dye. Save money and make your own version of dried cranberries by following the steps in this article.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing Cranberries
Step 1. Put 1.8 liters of water in a large saucepan
Bring to a boil then remove the pan from the stove. Cranberries should not be submerged in water that is too hot, as this can cause them to fade.
Step 2. Put 340g of fresh cranberries in a colander
Rinse with cold water then dry. Lay it on a few paper towels and select some old or damaged fruit.
Step 3. Put the cranberries in a pot of hot water
Keep the cranberries submerged in the water, keeping an eye on them. The skin of the fruit will begin to peel off due to contact with heat. When all the cranberry peels have cracked, remove them from the water. Pour the cranberries into a colander. Dry thoroughly, making sure to remove as much excess water as possible.
Do not let cranberries soak in water that is too hot or in water for too long after the peel has peeled, as this can cause the skin to shrivel
Step 4. Turn on the oven at 93.3ºC
While the oven is heating, cover the baking sheet with paper towels. Pour the cranberries onto a paper towel. The paper towels will absorb any excess water that may still be stuck to the cranberries.
Part 2 of 2: Drying Cranberries
Method One: Using the Oven
Step 1. Lay another layer of paper towels on top of the cranberries
Dry as best you can, because reducing the humidity will shorten the drying time. If you're planning to sweeten cranberries, now is a great time to do so. Sprinkle one to three tablespoons of sugar or corn syrup over the cranberries, depending on how sweet you want them. If you don't want to sweeten the cranberries, skip this step.
Step 2. Prepare another pan
This pan is what you will put in the oven. Cover with a layer of paper towels then place a sheet of parchment paper on top. Spread the cranberries evenly over the parchment paper.
Step 3. Lower the oven temperature to 65.5ºC
Put the cranberries in the oven and wait. The drying process takes six to ten hours, depending on the strength of the heat your oven has and the dryness of the cranberries. It also depends on how you want the cranberries to be dry or crunchy. If you want more chewy cranberries, remove them from the oven after 6 hours.
Step 4. Rotate the pan every few hours
Air circulation is part of the drying process so you will need to turn the pan a few times while the cranberries are drying. Watch the cranberries during the drying process, as some ovens will dry the cranberries faster than others. If you notice your cranberries are getting very dry before 6 hours, then take them out of the oven.
Step 5. Remove the cranberries from the oven
Let the cranberries cool before you store them. To store dried cranberries, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. You can also put it in the freezer and store it until you want to use it in the future.
Method Two: Using a Dehydrator
Step 1. Coat the cranberries with 1/4 cup (29.5 ml) granulated sugar (optional)
You can also use corn syrup to sweeten the cranberries. You'll need to mix the cranberries with the sugar or syrup in a bowl, making sure the whole fruit is evenly coated in sugar. Sometimes cranberries have a bitter or sour taste so adding sugar can guarantee their sweetness. If the cranberries are not sweetened, skip this step.
Step 2. Place the parchment paper on the baking sheet
Lay the cranberries evenly on the baking sheet, making sure that there are no fruit overlaps. If the cranberries are placed on top of each other, they will form large ice cubes when frozen.
Step 3. Put the cranberries in the freezer
Freeze cranberries for two hours. Putting cranberries in the freezer will speed up drying because this process will damage the cell structure of the fruit.
Step 4. Transfer frozen cranberries to a dehydrator
You'll need to place the cranberries on a wire baking sheet and put them in a dehydrator. Turn on the dehydrator and let the cranberries sit in it for 10 to 16 hours.
Before removing them, check to see if there is no more moisture on the cranberries. Try one to see if the fruit has a good level of elasticity. If they're too chewy, put the cranberries back in the dehydrator
Step 5. Store cranberries in the freezer
Place the cranberries in an airtight container and place them in the freezer for later use or in the refrigerator if you plan to eat them in the near future.
Tips
- Cranberries are high in vitamin C and contain important antioxidants that can prevent heart disease. Cranberries are also believed to help prevent cancer, ulcers and gum disease and have long been shown to improve urinary tract health.
- Dried cranberries can be used in recipes as a substitute for raisins. Cranberries are also a great addition to salads, sauces and baked goods.
- Fresh cranberries are only available from October to January, but can be frozen for use all year round. If you buy cranberries to freeze, choose cranberries that are dark red and have a glossy skin. Make sure to wash and dry it well. This recipe for dried cranberries can be made using frozen, thawed cranberries.
