Dried cranberries have a tangy-sweet flavor that makes them a treat to eat alone, as well as an easy way to add zing to a sweet dessert. The North American berries also add essential nutrients, such as vitamin C, to your diet. Dehydrating the fruit helps preserve the nutrients, extends the shelf life and creates a chewy texture. The dried berries are often sold with added sugar and/or fruit juice to help balance the tart flavor. Check the label for unsweetened berries if you’re watching your sugar intake.
Cobblers
Dried cranberries add a splash of color and a little zip to boring cobbler recipes. Cover diced apples and dried cranberries with a cinnamon-oatmeal topping for a healthy dessert with a fall-fruit theme. Cover a cranberry-pear mixture with whole wheat biscuit dough and bake for a delicate-tasting cobbler.
Ice Pops
Berry ice pops with bits of dried cranberries are a light and refreshing dessert for a warm summer night. The dessert is so simple that you can create mini ice pops even if you don’t own any ice pop molds. Fill each mold in an ice cube tray three-fourths full, cover the tray with plastic wrap, spear a toothpick into each section and freeze.
Create your own tangy frozen treat with diced dried cranberries and cranberry juice, or go for a sweet twist with diced dried cranberries and orange juice. Pack the ice pops with chopped dried cranberries, diced fresh strawberries and apple juice for a healthy cold treat that provides fiber and vitamin C.
Cookies
Dried cranberries add a chewy zing to a variety of cookies. Toss the dehydrated fruit into a sugar, chocolate chip or peanut butter cookie mix to add boost of nutrients. Update healthy oatmeal-honey cookies with dried cranberries instead of raisins for a tangy twist. Refrigerate a combination of oatmeal, peanut butter and dried cranberries to create quick no-bake cookies for a last-minute treat.
Broiled Fruit
Broiling is a quick way to bring out the natural sweet taste of fresh fruit. Topping the hot fruit with dried cranberries is a quick way to turn the simple dessert into a fancy-looking treat. Slice a banana in half, sprinkle with cinnamon, broil and top with dried cranberries for a zesty dessert. Sprinkle broiled apple halves with dried cranberries and chopped pecans for a healthy autumn-themed dessert.
Coffee Cakes
The tart taste of dried cranberries can help turn a bland coffee cake into a healthy dessert with a rich flavor. Mix dried cranberries into a simple whole wheat, honey, walnut and prune cake for a fiber-filled treat. Toss the dried fruit into a basic lemon-applesauce coffee cake and drizzle with white icing for a refreshing low-fat dessert.
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