Baking can be fun for the whole family. For many, it is a family tradition that involves many recipes that have been passed down through the generations. Times are changing and baking is somewhat different than in years gone by. We have several more options at our disposal that will allow us to bake our family favorites all year long, even when our favorite fruits are out of season. At Sunrise Fresh, we offer a variety of unsweetened, no-sugar-added, dried fruits all year long so that you can enjoy your favorite dishes any time of year.
Some Dried Fruits Are Better Than Others
When it comes to baking with dried fruits, there are some that are better than others and fresh fruit isn't always best either! Everyone knows you can include raisins and dried cranberries as ingredients. Did you know that you can also use dried cherries, blueberries, apples, peaches, and pears as well? Sunrise Fresh offers a selection of dried fruits that are ideal for baking. They can also be used in desserts, smoothies, shakes, and many other creations. It's important to know how to use them, however. Some dried fruits are better for baking than others. It all depends on the recipe you plan to use.
Soak Dried Fruits First
If you are using a recipe that has a lot of liquid, it's important to remember that dried fruits will soak most of it up. Using a recipe that contains more dry ingredients will prevent the fruit from plumping up. Either way, your finished dish won't be as moist as you want it to be. If you are planning on using dried fruits, it may be a good idea to soak them first. Dried fruits can lose up to 75% of their volume during the drying process according to cookinglight.com. Once they are mixed with the other ingredients they will begin to reabsorb the moisture around them. You can prevent this from happening if you soak your dried fruits for an hour or so before using them.
Use Less
Remember, if you use a recipe that already calls for dried fruit, like raisins or cranberries, the recipe has already been adjusted to account for the lack of moisture. If you plan on using dried fruit in a dish that calls for fresh, you will need to determine how to adjust the amounts on your own. A recipe that calls for one cup of fresh blueberries will be reduced to ¼ cup of dried fruit. Even if you don't let the mixture set very long before baking, the dried fruits will still absorb liquid during the baking process. Soaking your fruits first will provide you with the most accurate measurements.
Watch the Flavor!
When using dried fruits, you have to think about the amount that you are using. ¼ cup of dried fruit will have all of the flavor, nutrients, and calories as one cup of fresh. Just because they are smaller, it doesn't mean that everything is smaller. The only difference between dehydrated or dried fruit and fresh is the amount of moisture or liquid they contain. Rehydrating them will give you a good idea of how much water has been removed in the drying process.
More Isn't Always a Good Idea
Because dried fruits don't lose their nutrients, flavor, or fiber, using more may not always be the best idea. Too much fruit can overpower a recipe making it too soft or too sweet. Just because dried fruits are easy and convenient to use, it doesn't mean you should go overboard with them. Use them in moderation and follow the instructions when preparing your food. This is the best way to make sure your final result is the same every time you make it.
More Options All Year Round
At Sunrise Fresh, we know it is hard to find your favorite fruits when they are out of season. By using our dried fruit products you never have to do without again. Our dried fruits are easy to store and even easier to use. Each one is processed immediately after harvesting so you get the maximum amount of flavor and nutrients in every bite. You can eat them as a snack or use them in all of your favorite recipes. No matter where you live, your favorites will never be out of season if you use Sunrise Fresh dried fruits.
Sunrise Fresh will always go above and beyond to offer you the highest quality dried fruit products on the market. We know how important it is to provide your family with the foods they love. This is why we have developed our process to maintain as much of the flavor and nutrients as possible in each of our dried fruit products. At Sunrise Fresh, we offer the best-dried Cherries, Blueberries, Peaches, Pears, and Apples all year long.
After all... It's Just Fruit.. and nothing else!
