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A pantry full of home-preserved goods is only good if we make use of it. Finding ways to use dried fruit for more than oatmeal and cookies seems of paramount importance. Of course, dried fruit makes for good snacking but there is so much more like drinks, main dishes, and more.
Interchangeable
In most cases dried fruit can easily be substituted in recipes – especially baking recipes. Dried cranberries can easily be used instead of raisins. Chop larger fruit slices or chunks (like dates, apple slices, apricots, etc.) into smaller bits to make more of a 1 to 1 substitution.
Recipes Featuring Dried Fruit
Drinks
The sweetness of dried fruit makes for a lovely way to have naturally sweet and flavorful drinks.
Dried Apple Tea
Steep dried apples in hot water for a lightly sweet and delightful herbal tea.
Apple Smoothie with Raisins
This apple smoothie is creamy, naturally sweetened with raisin, and so tasty your kids won’t even realize it’s good for you.
Apple and Pear Martini: An Autumn Cocktail
Flavors of autumn fruit - apple and pear - infuse the gin in this off-dry Apple and Pear Martini. Absinthe, dry vermouth, aromatic bitters, and muddled fresh sage complete this delightfully different cocktail... perfect with your holiday meal!
Creamy “Cafe” Latte (AIP/Paleo)
An herbal 'coffee' made with dandelion root and dried apricots.
Breads
Dried fruit is easier to bake with in bread because it doesn't add moisture while still adding lots of flavor and texture.
Harvest Bread
Make harvest bread for a lightly sweet and rich homemade loaves full of dried fruit bits, seeds, and nuts perfect for breakfast toast.
Pumpernickel Raisin Bread Recipe
This pumpernickel raisin bread is a hearty, lightly sweet whole grain loaf studded with raisins and chocolate chips. Perfect for toast or a weekend brunch.
Cranberry Wild Rice Bread Recipe
This cranberry wild rice bread is a hearty, beautiful yeasted loaf packed with wild rice and dried cranberries.
Swirled Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Make these easy and beautiful cinnamon swirled raisin bread loaves as a delightful breakfast toast perfect for sharing with family and guests.
Cookies
Cookies are some of the easiest and most delicious ways to use and share dried cookies.
Dried Apple Molasses Cookies
Chewy, molasses cookies full of ginger and apple bits for a lovely sweet, fruity, and spicy treat!
Chocolate Cherry Cookies
This great recipe is like chocolate covered cherries in cookie form and a great addition to cookie trays, lunch boxes, and everything in between!
Hermit Cookies
Old-fashioned hermit cookies are a classic recipe full of spice, dried fruit, and nuts for a hearty cookie that is perfect with a cup of coffee or glass of milk.
Old-Fashioned Coffee Cookies with Apple
Soft spiced coffee cookies loaded with fresh apples, dried fruit, and hemp hearts that are full of flavor perfect for a simple, fall dessert.
Old Fashioned Rum Raisin Filled Cookies
An old-fashioned raisin filled cookie made modern by soaking the raisins in some brandy.
Cakes
Toss bits of dried fruit in your cakes for a lovely chewy bit of texture.
Cranberry Coffee Cake
This Cranberry Coffee Cake has a hint of orange with dried cranberries and will quickly become a family favorite! It can also be made ahead.
Old-Fashioned Raisin Spice Cake
A vintage-inspired raisin spice cake made with buttermilk and pantry spices. Tender, keeps well, and good plain or dressed up with a simple glaze or fruit topping.
Pies
We often think of fresh fruit pies, but they can also be made with dried fruits.
Dried Apple Pie
Dried apple slices and raisins cooked into a sweet, old-fashioned filling and baked in a flaky double crust. A good winter pie made entirely from the pantry.
Triple Cherry PIe
This sweet and tangy pie has a firm filling that won't buckle when you slice it and features three types of cherries—sour, sweet, and dried.
Savory Dishes
Dried fruit can balance out flavors and depth to savory dishes, too!
Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cranberries
You'll win them over with these delicious pan fried Brussels sprouts with bacon and cranberries. Adding chopped walnuts makes it even better!
Goat cheese stuffed chicken with spinach and cranberries
This goat cheese stuffed chicken is deliciously comforting without being too heavy. It's fancy enough for a dinner party but quick enough for any night.
Jewish-Style Brisket
Jewish-style brisket made with dried figs. Absolutely the best home-cooked comfort food in the world.
Russian Beet Salad with Prunes and Pecans
Russian Beet Salad with Prunes and Pecans is perfect for winter months. Packed with nutrients and vitamins, it is healthy and is also budget friendly
Preserves
Use dried fruit to add texture and flavor to your homemade preserves.
Dried Fruit & Rosehip Jam
Thick, sweet and slightly tart this jam is delicious on toast or crackers and is an ideal way to use up dried fruits.
Cranberry Raisin Holiday Jam Recipe
Looking for a cranberry raisin jam? Holiday jams make a wonderful Christmas gift. Why not give this Christmas marmalade recipe this year.
Dried Apricot Jam
Use dried apricots for a lovely and flavorful jam perfect for holiday gift making.
Fig Conserve: A Chunky Fig Jam Recipe with Nuts
A wonderful Dried Fig Conserve recipe, with wine, honey & walnuts. Perfect for canning. A thicker and heartier treat than fig jam recipe. Sweet appetizer pairing, ideal for your your meat & cheese tray
These are great ideas! I cannot wait for our fruit trees to mature so I can have lots of dehydrated fruit!
Thanks for sharing my dried fig compote recipe! I’m tickled to be included with all these other great recipes.
I know this was published quite a while ago, sorry I’m late with my ‘thanks!’
Have a great day,
Hugs, Lynn