Fruit Leather

Bec's Note:

I have yet to try this, but I loved fruit leather when I was little! At lunch, I had a friend who always had cold lunch and she would give me hers (because she didn't like the stuff). This looks good, and it must be because it is from my favorite cookbook- The Roosevelt Raccoons "All of Our Favorites" cookbook. The cookbook contains recipes from active parents and teachers of Roosevelt Elementary School, Mankato, MN. It is where I went to school, and my family submitted all of our family favorites for it. So, we probably have 10 copies of the book in our house!

• Total Time: 6 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 6 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 16

• 1 (24 ounce) jar applesauce
• 10 dried apricots, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients in a blender until pureed.
2. Oil a 9x13 inch cake pan with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Pour puree onto pan.
4. Shake pan gently from side to side until evenly distributed.
5. Bake in preheated 150 degree oven for 5 to 7 hours.
6. Leather is done when bendable and no longer sticky to touch.
7. Once cooled, cut into strips while still in pan.
8. Lay each piece on plastic wrap and roll up.
9. Store in a covered container.

Reviews

[the80srule]

So many possibilities and variants for this recipe! For the first batch I used plain applesauce but cut up some dried pears instead of apricots. Next time, I plan on using the apricots-- but with strawberry-flavored applesauce! Maybe even do a wild boquet of strawberry, peach, blueberry, etc. flavored applesauces...thanks for posting this, SO never buying Fruit Roll Ups ever again!

[Bondnz]

This is such a great idea! I had a container of home-stewed apples I needed to use up but my wee toddler has decided he's not going to eat them anymore. I was going to make some muffins but I really wanted to make something especially for him & still have it be nice & healthy. I made some with this recipe as the base then another batch with some pureed apple & kiwifruit. They both turned out brilliantly! I spooned the kiwifruit mixture into silicone muffin pans which was ideal because they were so easy to remove & the leathers were already a perfect portion size for him - I cut the rest with cookie cutters & have them all stored in a bag in the freezer. I can't wait to try some different flavours - it's so easy & he just loves chewing on them, thank you so much for such an inspirational recipe - champion!!

[fishanyone]

I made this with grapes instead of apricots and cinnamon, so the cook time was a little longer and I found the fruit dried better if I left the oven door open. It was great!! I'll do it with strawberries next.