Sugar Free Dried Cranberries

Hey all,

I just posted this on the main forum in response to a member trying to find unsweetened cranberries in local stores.  I shared her plight and in desperation, started making my own and freezing....got a little crazy and added a bit of flavored Torani to change it up (cranberry almond is one of my favs).  You can make these in the oven, per the recipe, or the food dehydrater (my preference). They are also great added into SF cranberry jello with cottage cheese and pecans, tossing in a handful with meats, veggies or salads also adds a good zing.  It looks like an intimidating recipe, but once you make it, you'll find there's nothing to it. 

SUGAR FREE DRIED CRANBERRIES
Cook Time: ~8 hours,

Ingredients:

• 1 bag (12 oz) fresh whole cranberries
• 1 C sugar substitute of your choice (can vary to taste)
• 1/2 C water

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 200 F.

1. Put cranberries in large skillet, and pick through to remove soft and/or brown ones.

2. If sweetener is powdered, dissolve in water. (comparison of sources of "liquid Splenda"). Pour over cranberries and stir.

3. Heat on medium high until cranberries pop, about 4-5 minutes. Stir every minute or two. When all seem popped, turn off the burner and let them cool for 10 minutes.

4. Squish them down with the back of a large spoon. Don't worry if it seems they are melding together. Let cool another 5 minutes or so.

5. Cover baking sheet with three layers of paper towels and a piece of parchment paper. (I'm sure this would work great in a food dehydrator, but I don't have one.)

6. Spread cranberries on the parchment. Have faith -- they will mostly "individuate" again as they dry. If unpopped ones remain, squish them down now.

7. Put in oven and turn heat down to 150 F.

8. In 2-4 hours, replace parchment and flip paper towels over. (You don't have to do this, but it speeds up the process.)

9. Start checking after 6 hours. Total time depends upon humidity and other factors. It usually takes me about 8 hours. It also depends on whether you want to dry them to the point where they still have some "give" or whether you like them "crispier".

10. Separate them, and store covered (zip-type bags work well).  I put mine in individual snack size Ziploc bags and store in the freezer.

Carb Count:The whole recipe has 25 grams of effective carbohydrate and 16 grams of fiber.

Jo, I cheat when i want to eat some of these...I generally buy them already dried...lol....I'm not good with waiting when i want to snack and I use these sparingly in my granola mix!  Either way, i love em!  Glad to see you put this out there!

T.

I love the idea of adding a SF syrup to them....this adds a great touch to them and an endless variety!! With  fall here now, this will be a fun thing to make with the Grandkids and cook over night.....Thanks for this great idea!!    Sherry