2 Ingredient Dried Cranberries

What do you do when your neighbor gives you a case of fresh cranberries? You make 2 ingredient dried cranberries. You can bake with them, put them in smoothies, or if you’re brave just eat them straight. I’ve done all of those things but wanted something really simple. I’ve always been interested in drying them but thought, until now, it required a dehydrator. I ran across this recipe and decided to try it. It’s super simple.

To narrow my search down I sought out recipes that didn’t require sugar or boiling the cranberries (to me boiling would take out all the nutrients and lose the natural tart flavor). For this recipe, you will need fresh cranberries, honey, a bowl, a cookie sheet or two, parchment paper, and an oven. These are so easy, that we prepared them while working on other projects. Even if you forget them in the oven a bit longer than they call for, don’t sweat it.

Casey washing the cranberries — Washing the cranberries.

Cranberries being cut — Slicing the cranberries.

honey and cranberries — 2 ingredient dried cranberries. Honey and cranberries!

Fresh cranberries and honey on baking sheet — Getting ready to go in the oven.

Casey placing cranberries in the oven — Casey putting cranberries in the oven.

Checking on the cranberries in the oven — Checking the cranberries’ progress.

The Recipe- (with a few of Nikki’s intelligent tweaks)

4 cups of whole fresh cranberries
1/3 cup of local or store-bought honey (we use Golding Farms) You may also use maple syrup, however, this does tend to make the finished product taste a bit more tart.

1- preheat oven to 200 degrees

2- wash cranberries

3- slice lengthwise in half

4- place cranberries in a bowl and add 1/3 cup of honey and stir until mixed well; you should be able to easily stir once mixed

5- place parchment paper on a cookie sheet and spread cranberries evenly onto the cookie sheet

6- put in the oven for 2 hours and then transfer cranberries to a new cookie sheet with parchment paper (Nikki has found this helps with the excess juices)

7- let them stay in the oven for up to 2 more hours depending on how dry you want them- check them as needed, they will continue to dry even after taking them out of the oven.

8- once you’re happy with their texture and dryness, place them in a jar and enjoy them on salads, oatmeal, or just as a snack

What we love about this recipe is that it allows you to make dried cranberries without sugar. These cranberries are beautiful because they retain their color and their tartness with a mix of sweetness from the honey. Hope you enjoy making this 2 ingredient dried cranberry recipe. Bon Appetit!

For other simple recipes, we’ve tried and love, check out our healthy peanut butter cookies post.

Simple, No Fuss 2 Ingredient Dried Cranberries