Cinnamon Apple Fruit Leather
Try this Cinnamon Apple Fruit Leather recipe, or contribute your own.
Try this Cinnamon Apple Fruit Leather recipe, or contribute your own.
- Carbohydrate 0.785752501594167 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0.0120900000245287 g
- Fiber 0.517724986173063 g
- Protein 0.038902500078927 g
- Saturated Fat 0.00336375000682451 g
- Serving Size 1 1 -10 serving (31g)
- Sodium 1.28250000119955 mg
- Sugar 0.268027515421105 g
- Trans Fat 0.00566475001149288 g
- Calories 2 calories
Step-by-step
- Peel, core and chop the apples.
- Add the apples and water to a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat.
- Bring to a simmer and cover, allowing to cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
- Use a potato masher or blender to puree the fruit and add it back to the pot.
- Add the lemon juice, cinnamon, and sugar. (Note: I used very sweet apples for this recipe. If you use tart apples, you will probably want less lemon juice and more sugar.)
- Continue to cook for another 10 minutes to allow the sugar to dissolve.
- Use a food mill or fine mesh strainer to create a very smooth puree. It's fine to leave some fibrous apple pulp behind (I lost at least 1 cup in the food mill).
- Preheat your oven to the lowest possible temperature. The original recipe states 140 degrees F. My oven only goes as low as 170, so that's the temperature I used.
- Line a baking sheet with microwave-safe plastic wrap (for reference, mine is 13x18. You can also use two smaller sheets).
- Pour the puree on top and use a spatula to spread the mixture as evenly as possible.
- Allow to cook in the oven for 8-12 hours until the fruit is completely dried out. Mine took approximately 9 hours; you may need more time if the temperature is lowered. I let it cook overnight.
- Allow the fruit leather to cool.
- I trimmed the ends with scissors (including the plastic wrap) so they look pretty and then cut into strips of your desired size. I chose to make 3 long, large strips.
- Leave the fruit leather attached to the plastic wrap until it's ready to be eaten.
My Homemade Cinnamon Apple Fruit Leather Adventure
As a busy working mom, finding healthy and delicious snacks for my kids (and myself!) is always a top priority. Processed snacks are full of sugar and additives, so I'm constantly on the lookout for wholesome alternatives. That's how I discovered the magic of homemade fruit leather. It's a surprisingly easy project, and the results are far superior to anything you can buy in the store.
This particular recipe, Cinnamon Apple Fruit Leather, was a delightful experiment. I love the warm, comforting spice of cinnamon, and it pairs perfectly with the sweetness of apples. I chose Gala and Honeycrisp apples for their sweetness, but you can experiment with other varieties depending on your taste. Remember, if your apples are tart, you might need to adjust the amount of sugar and lemon juice to achieve your desired level of sweetness. The lemon juice, by the way, not only adds a touch of zing, but it also acts as a natural preservative, helping the fruit leather to last longer.
The process itself is incredibly satisfying. There's something wonderfully therapeutic about peeling, coring, and chopping apples, then watching them simmer gently on the stovetop, releasing their fragrant aroma. The pureeing stage is crucial for achieving that perfectly smooth texture. I tried both a potato masher and a blender, and each has its own advantages. A potato masher leaves a slightly chunkier texture, while a blender creates a very smooth puree. The choice is yours, depending on your preference.
The most time-consuming part is the drying process. I recommend setting aside a whole day for this, or at least making it an overnight project. I used my oven, set to the lowest temperature possible. It was a truly low-and-slow bake! It’s important to ensure your fruit leather is completely dried out to prevent mold. Leaving it in longer than you think you need to is better than taking it out too soon.
The final product is nothing short of magical. These strips of cinnamon apple fruit leather are a perfect on-the-go snack, great for lunchboxes, after-school treats, or even a late-night craving. My kids absolutely adore them, and so do I. They're naturally sweet, wholesome, and free from artificial ingredients, which makes me feel good about giving them to my family. Plus, the cinnamon adds a delicious warmth that's perfect for a cozy autumn day, or really anytime of the year.
Making fruit leather has become a wonderful family activity for us. It's a fun way to get the kids involved in the kitchen, teaching them about healthy eating and the simple joys of homemade treats. It's not just a recipe; it's a bonding experience. And the best part? We can customize it with different fruits and spices, creating endless possibilities for flavor combinations. I'm already planning my next batch—maybe a berry-banana blend? The options are endless!
Beyond the delicious taste and the fun of making it, homemade fruit leather offers peace of mind. Knowing exactly what ingredients go into your snacks is priceless. It's a small step, but it makes a big difference in promoting healthy habits for both myself and my children. It's one of those simple pleasures in life, a rewarding project that doesn't require a lot of time or skill, but yields a wonderful result that's both healthy and delicious.
So, I highly recommend giving this Cinnamon Apple Fruit Leather recipe a try. It's a rewarding experience, and the results are absolutely worth the effort. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to create a healthy and delicious treat that the whole family will love.
