It took awhile to get this method down, but now that I know what to do, it's easy. The important thing is not to be afraid to squish them down in the first phase, or they won't fully dry - the soluble fiber in them "gels" and retains water unless it's exposed to the air.
INGREDIENTS:
* 1 bag (12 oz) fresh whole cranberries
* 1 C sugar substitute of your choice (can vary to taste)
* 1/2 C water
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 200 F.
1. Put cranberries in large skillet, and pick through to remove soft and/or brown ones.
2. If sweetener is powdered, dissolve in water.
Pour over cranberries and stir.
3. Heat on medium high until cranberries pop - 4-5 minutes or so. Stir every minute or two. When all seem popped, turn off the burner and let them cool for 10 minutes.
4. Squish them down with the back of a large spoon. Don't worry if it seems they are melding together. Let cool another 5 minutes or so.
5. Cover baking sheet with three layers of paper toweling and a piece of parchment paper. (I'm sure this would work great in a food dehyd[rator, but I don't have one.)
6. Spread cranberries on the parchment. Have faith - they will mostly "individuate" again as they dry. If unpopped ones remain, squish them down now.
7. Put in oven and turn heat down to 150 F.
8. In 2-4 hours, replace parchment and flip paper towels over. (You don't have to do this, but it speeds up the process.)
9. Start checking after 6 hours. Total time depends upon humidity and probably lots of factors. It usually takes me about 8 hours. It also depends on whether you want to dry them to the point where they still have some "give" or whether you like them "crispier".
10. Separate them, and store covered (zip-type bags work well)..
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