How to Make Craisins

Craisins are dried cranberries and they have many fabulous uses. They make a great low-carb snack, and are ideal in recipes either substituting for raisins, or as a feature of their own. Here is how to make craisins at home.

Ingredients

Fresh cranberries, with no blemishes (pick through to select the best cranberries)
1 cup of liquid sugar substitute; or, 1 cup of sugar or sugar substitute, dissolved in 1/2 a cup of water

Steps

1
Preheat the oven to 200ºF or 93ºC.
2
Place the cranberries in the skillet. Take out any berries that are soft or brown.

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3
Add the liquid sweetener. Stir.
4
Heat over medium high heat for 4-5 minutes. It may take a bit longer; just stir every minute or two until all of the berries have split open. Turn off the heat, and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
5
Squish all of the berries with the back of a wooden spoon. Don't worry if they stick together. Let them cool another 5 minutes.
6
Cover the baking sheet with three layers of paper towel, then one layer of parchment paper.
- Spread the cranberries on the parchment paper. Again, don't worry if they're stuck together because they will separate as they dry. If there are any that didn't pop, pop them now.
7
Place the baking sheet in the oven. Turn the heat down to 150ºF/ 65ºC. Bake for 6–8 hours in total.
- After 2-4 hours, take the berries out. Replace the paper towels and parchment with fresh layers. This step is optional, but it really helps to speed things up.
- The berries will be done in 6-8 hours total. The final time depends on your local levels of humidity, and on how dry you want the finished product.
8
Store. When the berries are done, store them in zipper bags. Homemade craisins can be frozen for up to 4 months.
9
Use the craisins. Craisins can be used in recipes calling for raisins or added in to dried fruit recipes. For starters, some ideas include:
- Make pumpkin craisin bread.
- Add to a fruit salad or add to a fresh salad.
- Make pumpkin cranberry torte.
- Flavor your oatmeal or improve your usual commercial cereal.
- Make sunflower seed muesli bars.

Community Q&A

Question

How many ounces/cups of cranberries are used in this recipe?

Community Answer

It looks like about 500 grams, or close to a pound.
Question

What do I use if I don't have parchment paper?

Community Answer

The dehydrator should have come with a few plastic screens; if not, you can pick some up for cheap at just about any cooking store, and even some craft stores.
Question

Can frozen cranberries be used for this?

Community Answer

Yes, frozen cranberries can be used to make craisins. Keep in mind that they could have a longer boiling time, though.