Very Berry Fruit Leather

The name fruit leather may sound odd to you if you haven’t heard it before. And to be honest this stuff is pretty weird yet sweet and delicious.

Fruit leather is like those fruit winder things that you can buy in the shops – long strips of fruity sweet. You know the ones.

But mine are made with fruit, no added sugar and just a wee bit of honey. That’s it! Not bad at all. Kids love it as it’s a bit quirky and at least you know it’s made from only natural ingredients.

It’s also perfect for using up fruit which is nearer the end of it’s life! Any fruit can be used really, but for the purposes of this demonstration (!) I used strawberries and blueberries hence Very Berry Fruit Leather.

And I used my Optimum 9400 blender from Froothie to whizz up the fruit before I cooked it down. The blender whizzes up the fruit to a smooth liquid. Other recipes call for sieving the fruit after boiling, but to be honest that is a bit dangerous – as the fruit is scalding hot. Best to get it as smooth as possible before you boil it up.

Use the biggest pot possible you have when boiling the fruit, unlike myself, who ended up with a very berry hob top!

Once it is boiled and reduced, the fruit is poured onto a large baking sheet.

 Place it in a very low oven for 8 to 12 hours. I know it sounds a long time, but the oven is only set at 60C. I left it overnight and when I got up, the fruit leather was ready. Ready to peel off the greaseproof paper I had poured it on.

I cut mines into strips with a pizza cutter. But you could cut into whatever shape you want.

Remember, although these are made with only fruit and small bit of honey, the fruit sugars will concentrate when baked down.

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Very Berry Fruit Leather

by Stuart Vettese August-21-2014

Fruit leather made from only real fruit and honey.

Ingredients

• 400 grams strawberries, hulled
• 250 grams blueberries
• 1-2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1-2 teaspoons honey (or other natural sweetener)
• 120 ml water

Instructions
Pre-heat the oven to 50C and line a large baking tray with greaseproof paper.

Blend the washed fruit in a blender, with the water, until very smooth. Transfer to a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Knock the heat back to medium and let it bubble away for 15 minutes. At this point add the lemon juice to freshen the taste and add the honey for sweetness. You can add more or less to taste (careful, it is HOT!). Let the mix simmer on medium heat for another 15 minutes, stirring frequently. The fruit will have thickened and coat the back of a spoon. Transfer the fruit to the large baking sheet and place in the oven for 8 to 12 hours (I left mines for 9 hours). The fruit leather is ready when it is no longer sticky on the surface and feels dry. Carefully peel it from the greaseproof paper and cut into strips or whatever shape you choose.

Details

Prep time: 45 mins Cook time: 9 hour Total time: 9 hour 45 mins Yield: 1 baking tray worth