Rehydrating dried cranberries with water is one simple way to give them a soft, juicy, plump texture that adds an extra layer of ooph to your favorite recipes.
The nutrition in dried cranberries is very similar to fresh cranberries, although the dried fruit does have more calories and sugar because sugar is added during the drying process.
Dried cranberries are high in vitamin C and phytochemicals that help prevent urinary tract infections. They also contain antioxidants that help protect against cell damage. Rehydrating cranberries is as simple as pouring water into a bowl.
You’ll probably want to use about 1 cup of fresh cranberries for every 1/2 cup of dried cranberries called for in the recipe. You can also look for recipes calling for fresh blueberries and use cranberries instead. Since they’re similar in size, fresh blueberries and cranberries can be substituted one-for-one.
Using Dried Cranberries Instead of Fresh
Fresh cranberries can be found readily in grocery stores around the holidays. Fresh cranberries are great in baked goods and other fresh recipes like salads. With dried cranberries, you can bake up a cranberry recipe or toss them on top of a salad any time of year.
Rehydrating dried cranberries is an optional (but recommended) step if youre baking with them, as they wont dry out further during baking and become chewy or hard. Instead, theyll be plump and add moisture to the end product.
How to Soften Dried Cranberries
- Dried cranberries
- Bowl
- Boiling water
- Colander
Dried cranberries can be hard or tough to chew, but rehydrating them will improve their texture and make them soft again.
This method for rehydrating dried cranberries involves soaking them in water or another liquid, such as fruit juice, for about 30 minutes. You can soak dried fruit for longer if you like, but theres no need to soak it overnight.
- Measure the amount of dried cranberries you will need for your recipe. If your recipe calls for fresh cranberries, swap in 3/4 cup of the dried version.
- Place the dried cranberries into a glass bowl.
- Pour boiling water over the cranberries until they are all completely covered. You can also substitute hot fruit juice instead of water for added flavor. Rehydrating your cranberries in fruit juice will add additional calories and sugar, which you should keep in mind when choosing your hydration liquid.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap over the bowl to keep the steam in and the liquid hot.
- Wait 10 to 30 minutes for your cranberries to soak in the water or juice and rehydrate. When they are done, they will be plump and round. Some cranberries may rehydrate more quickly than others depending on how dry and old they are.
- Drain the cranberries from their soaking liquid using a strainer or colander. Discard the liquid and return your cranberries to the bowl. They are now ready to be added to your recipe.
Use rehydrated dried cranberries in breads, muffins, salads or sauces that normally call for fresh cranberries. Dried cranberries are easy to store and have a long shelf life.
Use Dried Cranberries for these delicious muffins! Freeze Drying | Dehydrating
FAQ
How do I substitute dried cranberries for fresh in baking?
Should you rehydrate dried cranberries for muffins?
What happens when you bake dried cranberries?
Can you use Craisins instead of fresh cranberries?
What can I substitute for cranberries in muffins?
Try with orange flavored, vanilla, honey, nonfat, or full fat. Sour cream works as well. Cranberries: You can use 1 and 1/2 cups dried cranberries as a substitute for the fresh/frozen cranberries. Mini Muffins: For mini muffins, bake at 350°F (177°C) for about 11-13 minutes or until baked through.
Do dried cranberries still have health benefits?
Yes, they are sources of bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins, procyanidins and flavonols that have beneficial effects above all on the urinary tract but also against cancer, vascular diseases and digestive health.
Can you use dried cranberries in muffins?
You can even sub with dried cranberries if you like. Coarse sparkling sugar: an optional topping that gives the muffins crunchy, sugar-coated tops. This cranberry muffin recipe is a great option for prep-ahead breakfasts, a festive holiday side dish, or a quick addition to the weeknight bread basket.
Can I substitute fresh cranberries for dried CRA berries?
When it comes to substituting fresh cranberries for dried in a recipe, there are a few key factors to consider. Firstly, dried cranberries are much sweeter than fresh cranberries, so you may need to adjust the amount of sugar in your recipe if you are using fresh cranberries instead.