Homemade Fruit Leather

This recipe is a little time consuming, but SUPER easy. It's also a great alternative to store bought fruit leather!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds Strawberries

1/2 cup Sugar

Directions:

Puree strawberries with sugar in a blender until smooth, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a saucepan.

Bring puree to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until thick enough to mound slightly (about 45 mins - 1 hour).

Preheat oven to 200° F, with the rack in the middle. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper (or spray with non-stick cooking spray). Pour hot puree onto liner and spread thinly (as evenly as possible) into a 15 x 10 inch rectangular pan using a spatula. Dry puree in oven until it feels drier, but is still slightly tacky, about 2 hours.

Cool until completely dry for at least 3 hours (up to 24). Place a sheet of parchment paper over leather then peel off liner and roll up in parchment.

The Best Ever Pumpkin Cake

Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs

1 2/3 cup sugar

1 cup oil (try it w/less oil)3-28-09

1 16oz. Can pumpkin

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

Mix together until smooth then pour into an ungreased 15x10x1 jellyroll pan.  Place into a preheated oven at 350 for 25-30 minutes.  Let cool completely and frost.

Frosting

8oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup butter

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups powdered sugar (you may need to add more to

                         get the right consistency)

*optional – top each bar with a walnut after

              cutting.

 

How to make grape juice . . .

Needed:

Lots and Lots of Concord Grapes

Sugar

Bowling Water

Quart Size Jars

New lids

Rings for Jars

Canner

Directions:

Sterilize jars, lids, and rings.  Wash and take all the grapes from their stems.   Get your canner ready by filling with water and bring to a boil.  Take your sterilized jars and fill each jar with 1 cup grapes, 1/3 cup white sugar, and then fill the jar with boiling water leaving 1/2 inch head space.  Place a lid on each of the jars and then put on the rings.  Process the jars in the canner for 10 minutes.  Remove and let cool.  The longer you let it sit the more the flavor develops.  Give it at least a week before enjoying.  

When you are ready to serve, just strain to remove the pulp and there you have it.  Homemade grape juice.  I like this recipe versus concentrate, because in an emergency situation and water is limited you might need some extra liquid.  This will provide you with a source of fluids for drinking.