Well, I told you it was coming and here it is: my first in a series of posts to give you simple steps for the make-you-own versions of commonly purchased items. So today I'm starting with something simple and yummy- Fruit Leather! My kids love it, even as much as store-bought Fruit Roll-Ups, which are NOT HEALTHY (anyone that didn't know that?) But their home-made counterparts can be made without sugar and without much work on your part!
Things You'll Need:
4 cups unsweetened applesauce
4 cups fresh or frozen fruit of your choice - All kinds of berries work well, or just plain apple is yummy too!
Spices to taste ( I used 1 t. cinnamon & ground cloves) 
1 T. Lemon juice
Optional: honey, sugar, or sweetener to taste (I used 1 packet Stevia)
1 T. Lemon juice
Optional: honey, sugar, or sweetener to taste (I used 1 packet Stevia)
Note: I used a mixture of fresh and frozen blueberries, which a are naturally sweet, so it is not necessary to add sugar. Taste your mixture and add sweetener as needed.
What to do:
Pour all ingredients into a large saucepan or pot. Allow to simmer on medium high eat until fruit begins to get soft and break apart. Using a blender or a food processor, puree the mixture until smooth. Pr
eheat oven to 140 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet or flat tray with plastic wrap.
Spread the fruit mixture on the plastic wrap (you will want your mixture to be about 1/4 inch thick). Put the tray in the preheated oven. Dry in the oven until you can touch the center of the fruit leather and it does not leave an indentation. It will take approximately 8 to 12 hours for fruit leather to dry in the oven. Remove the fruit leather from the plastic and roll it or cut it into pieces for storage. If you are rolling it use a fresh sheet of plastic wrap to keep the fruit leather from sticking to itself. Store in an air-tight container.
eheat oven to 140 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet or flat tray with plastic wrap.Spread the fruit mixture on the plastic wrap (you will want your mixture to be about 1/4 inch thick). Put the tray in the preheated oven. Dry in the oven until you can touch the center of the fruit leather and it does not leave an indentation. It will take approximately 8 to 12 hours for fruit leather to dry in the oven. Remove the fruit leather from the plastic and roll it or cut it into pieces for storage. If you are rolling it use a fresh sheet of plastic wrap to keep the fruit leather from sticking to itself. Store in an air-tight container.
I love this!! I am definitely going to try this. Scottie might be too young to eat it depending on how soft it turns out, but if not I think Dave and I would love it too! Thanks Sarah!
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