Fruit Leather

My husband convinced me to make fruit leather.  I didn't want to because I thought it would be so hard.  I was so wrong, it was pretty easy and so good.  We ate the first pan right up!

APPLE-PEAR:

• 4 cups apples
• 4 cups pears
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup raspberry jam

I cored and then boiled my apples until soft.   I used pears that I had canned last year, but if you use fresh, you need to slice in half and core.  Add everything to the blender and blend until smooth. 

APPLE-STRAWBERRY:

• 4 cups apples
• 4 cups strawberries
• 7 TBS honey

Saute apples and strawberries in a little butter until soft.  Add everything to a blender and blend until smooth.

Preheat oven to 160 degrees F. Cover baking sheets with plastic wrap.  Spread puree evenly, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.  Bake for about 10 hours.  I started checking it after 6 hours.  It is done when the surface is no longer tacky and you can tear it like leather.  Cool and then roll up.  Cut in pieces and seal securely in plastic wrap. Store in an airtight container.

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Snacks

We all love these!  They are a great healthy snack everyone will enjoy.

• 3 1/2 pounds apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon

Pretreat apples by dipping them in 1 cup lemon juice mixed with 1 quart of water. In a large bowl, combine sugars and cinnamon.  Make sure your apples are patted dry, then toss them in sugar mixture.  You don't want them too coated, just lightly sugared.  Arrange evenly on dehydrator trays. Dry at 130-135 degrees until pliable.  Drying time will vary depending on the moisture content of apples, quality of apples, volume being dried at one time, method of drying and the climate. Refer to your own dehydrator instructions.  If you put them in in the evening and let them go all night and then all morning, they should be done that afternoon.  If you take them off while they are still hot they come off a lot better.  I've also read if you turn them half way through, they won't stick either.