She Strengthens

Sweet and Tart Fruit Leather Recipe

Get Ready for a Flavorful Adventure

Are you tired of store-bought fruit leathers that lack excitement? Look no further! We’ve created a simple and delicious DIY fruit leather recipe that’s perfect for snacking on the go. By using applesauce as a shortcut, we’ve eliminated the need to cook and purée fresh apples, ensuring a consistent flavor throughout.

Adding a Pop of Color and Flavor

To give our fruit leather a vibrant pink hue, we’ve added fresh raspberries to the mix. Not only do they provide a stunning color, but they also add a nice tartness to balance out the sweetness. The best part? No artificial dyes needed!

Before You Begin

Make sure you have a nonstick silicone baking mat handy, as it’s essential for this recipe. Also, plan ahead, as the fruit leather requires a 6- to 7-hour baking time.

Let’s Get Started!

Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 15 minutes, plus at least 6 1/2 hours baking and cooling time

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 6 ounces fresh raspberries (about 1 1/3 cups)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• Pinch of fine salt

Instructions:

Preparing the Mixture

1. Preheat your oven to 170°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat and set it aside.
3. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a medium bowl and set it aside.
4. Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute.
5. Pour the mixture through the strainer into the bowl, scraping the sides to remove any seeds.

Creating the Fruit Leather

1. Transfer the purée to a container with a spout or return it to the cleaned blender pitcher.
2. Slowly pour the purée onto the baking mat, creating a rectangle shape.
3. Pour the remaining purée in a zigzag pattern, making sure to cover the entire surface.
4. Use a rubber spatula to even out the surface, shaking the baking sheet gently to remove any air bubbles.

Baking and Cooling

1. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 6 to 7 hours, or until the surface is slightly sticky but doesn’t leave an indentation when pressed.
2. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

Cutting and Storing

1. Place a 16-inch-long sheet of waxed or parchment paper on a flat surface.
2. Starting at one short edge of the cooled fruit leather, pull it up from the baking mat and transfer it to the paper.
3. Cut the fruit leather into desired shapes or strips using clean kitchen scissors.
4. Roll up the fruit leather, paper and all, to prevent sticking.
5. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.