Six Ways to use dried fruit in your fall and holiday projects

Dehydrated fruit is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of ways and is very easy to make in your own oven. Along with making a tasty treat in snacks and baked goods, it’s also festive, long-lasting decor and makes fragrant, natural potpourri. Here’s an easy recipe for how to make your own dehydrated fruit - along with a list of ways to use it year-round.

How to make dried/dehydrated fruit:

Ingredients:

• Fruits of your choice, such as apples, oranges and pears

• Oven

• Baking sheet with a rack, or baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Place slices onto baking sheet with a rack or piece of parchment paper. (You do not have to have a wire rack for this.) Make sure the pieces are not overlapping and have their own space.

Place the pan with fruit in your preheated oven and watch them dry over the next few hours. I keep an eye on mine and get them out when I like the way that they look. This usually takes about 4-6 hours. You might be trying to achieve a different look, so my advice is to keep checking them. Another factor to consider is they type of fruit and how much liquid they contain. **Placing the same type of fruit on each sheet is helpful so that they will finish dehydrating at the same time. For instance, in my experience, pears are finished before oranges.

Once they’ve dried to your liking, take them out of the oven to cool. They should be a leathery and not sticky.

When not in use, I store mine in an airtight container - I have many pieces that have lasted for many years!

What can you do with dried fruit?

Create a potpourri sachet with holiday scents: (see the blog post here.)

Mix your dried fruit with essential oils and/or other natural herbs and spices. I love using cinnamon sticks, star of anise and nutmeg in mine.

After mixing all together, place in a decorative bowl to enjoy throughout the season or put into a sachet bag to use as gifts. These also make beautiful place cards for gatherings!

Create a spiced wine sachet to gift to someone else. Add a warm, cozy beverage to your DIY event or activity with this spiced wine recipe. It smells just like the holidays! While you’re preparing your own, set aside some ingredients to create your own spiced wine sachets for gifts.

2. Embellish your homemade bath and body creation. Use a piece or 2 of your dried fruit to tie or glue onto one of your bath and body DIY creations (or other gift) to add a festive touch. Use some twine and fresh herbs to add additional, natural color and fresh scent.

3. Use on a place card or greeting card. Stitch or adhere a piece of fruit to a place card or holiday greeting card - add a cinnamon stick for fragrant holiday scent.

4. Create a garland or wreath: To make a garland, take slices of dehydrated fruit and string them together to make a colorful hanging to place on a mantel, wall, or window. To make a wreath, attach slices of dehydrated fruit to a wire frame or grapevine wreath to create a rustic and natural decoration.

Cut them into small pieces and add them to your favorite bath tea or bath salts recipe to add a colorful, fragrant element. (Use a sachet or tea bag to help with clean up!)