Homemade Cherry Fruit Leather

Children of all ages love homemade cherry fruit leather. The process for making dehydrated cherry fruit leather, or cherry fruit roll ups, is extremely easy. Keep in mind, this recipe can be used with any fruit in season.

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Homemade Cherry Fruit Leather

Fruit leather is an item my children will devour in minutes. Hence the need to provide a healthier version than what is available at the market. Homemade cherry fruit leather is a great example of this.

With a homemade version your options are endless in regards to the type of fruit, and combinations, you can create. Though this is a recipe for cherry fruit roll ups, there are a plethora of items which partner well with cherries.

• peaches
• nectarines
• apricots
• lemons
• golden plums
• raspberries

For a more sophisticated taste consider an adult homemade cherry fruit leather option. A small amount of the following alcohol provides a surprisingly nice flavor.

• amaretto
• bourbon
• brandy
• crème de cassis
• rum
• sweet vermouth
• vodka

As previously mentioned, homemade cherry fruit leather is perfect for children of all ages! Just not the recipes calling for mommy or daddy juice.

However, additional fruit flavored adult beverages you can easily make are –

• homemade limoncello
• homemade raspberry cordial

Additional Cherry Preserving Recipes

By looking at the content below you’d think I love consuming cherries. Well, that is a true statement. Give me all things cherries during the summer months.

• Canning cherry salsa
• Cherry chipotle BBQ sauce
• Chunky cherry jam
• Homemade cherry juice
• Cherry lemonade popsicles
• Brandied cherry recipe with canning tips

Cherry Fruit Roll-ups

Fruit roll-ups or fruit leather are staple in many households. A homemade version allows you to control the following:

1. amount of sugar added
2. the type of fruit being used
3. the ability to leave out chemical preservatives.

Feel free to play with the flavors and sweeteners. There is no right or wrong in creating fruit roll-up recipes.

Additional Fruit Leather Flavors

Before moving onto the recipe, try these great summertime fruit leathers as well:

• Summertime peach fruit leather
• Apple cinnamon fruit leather

Ingredients

Fruits which have been dehydrated take on a sweeter flavor. The addition of the sweetener listed is optional. Sugar is added to help maintain color, texture, and sweetness if the fruit should lack it.

• 4 cups cherries, pitted
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup honey or sugar

Equipment

• cherry pitter
• dehydrator, a rear mounting fan is best
• stock pot
• food processor or blender
• parchment paper or silicone non-stick mats
• 1/2 gallon mason jar
• silicon spatula
• food string, or tape

Equipment for Oven Drying Homemade Cherry Fruit Leather

• 2 baking sheets
• 2 silicone baking mats

Instructions

There are two methods for making cherry fruit leather, in the oven or with a dehydrator. Dehydrated cherry fruit leather is the most convenient method, requiring nothing but setting the temperature and timer for the dehydrator. Unlike the dehydrator the oven method will require you to be hands on during a 5 hours process.

Dehydrated Cherry Fruit Leather

1. Wash cherries well, remove stems.
2. Using a cherry pitter remove and reserve pits. The pits can be used to make cherry pit syrup or jelly.
3. In a non-reactive pot add all ingredients, bring to a boil making sure to stir often. Continue to boil until the cherries have fully cooked and are soft to the touch.
4. Transfer the cooked cherry mixture to a blender or food processor.
5. Place parchment paper or silicone sheets onto the dehydrator trays. Spread the cherry mixture evenly onto the sheets.
6. Verify the drying time based on the manual for your dehydrator. For those using an Excalibur dehydrate, set the temperature to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. The drying process will take 8 to 12 hours or until the mixture takes on a leathery texture. Thicker layers will take closer to 12 hours to dry.
7. Once completely dried remove from dehydrator trays. Using scissors and ruler (for straight cuts) cut the homemade cherry fruit leather into strips. Roll the strips and tie off to secure the rolls.
8. Store the rolls in an airtight container such as a 1/2 gallon mason jar. An oxygen absorber can be added to minimize the moisture within the container. Or store the cherry fruit roll-ups in the refrigerator.

Oven Cherry Fruit Roll ups

1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place silicone baking onto baking trays, set aside.
3. Prepare cherry fruit leather as indicated in the dehydrating method.
4. Divide the fruit leather onto the two baking trays.
5. Place into the oven to bake for 5 hours. Throughout the baking period rotate trays often to ensure the leather dries. The mixture is complete once it has fused into one piece and is tacky to the touch.
6. Follow the steps for packing found in the dehydrating method.

My Book

The Farm Girl’s Guide to Preserving the Harvest is a comprehensive book covering multiple methods for preserving foods in the comfort of your home. Learn how to safely can, dry, ferment, cure, freeze, and store foods fresh as a sustainable homesteader would. The tips, tricks, and recipes within this book will provide you the confidence and knowledge needed to own your food source.

Printable Recipe Card – Homemade Cherry Fruit Leather

Feel free to experiment with a combination of flavors to create fruit leathers your family will enjoy!

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