I wanted to pick up some dried cranberries at the store this week while getting a few groceries, mainly produce. After reviewing several packages of dried cranberries, I realized they all had added sugar. Cranberries are a tart fruit, so it’s not that surprising.

But, instead of compromising by buying them with added sugar, I purchased a bag of fresh cranberries (on sale this week – score!) and decided to dry them myself in our dehydrator. After some research, I learned that you need to blanche them quickly in very hot water so they “pop” before you dry them. This is the first I’ve heard you need to blanche fruit (??) and the first that I really did much of anything to fruit before dehydrating it. Most did all pop within about 30 secords, just as advertised. (I guess there were a few that didn’t pop and those didn’t dry either.)

I considered putting a tiny bit of honey on them before I put them into the dehydrator, but decided against it until I had made them and was certain they needed that sweetener. My plan is to use these cranberries in my next batch of granola bars. Since the bars are sweetened, I’m hoping they will be just a slight flavor change to my standard breakfast. I won’t know for a few weeks, until my current batch of granola bars needs to be replenished.