You are probably wondering whether or not you should soak dried fruit before baking it. If so, you have come to the right place. We have researched all about dried fruits and will tell you all you need to know about soaking dried fruit.
You should soak dried fruit before baking it to prevent the fruit from absorbing moisture from whatever it is mixed with. Another reason you should soak dried fruit is that it makes the fruit plumper, and the result is better if you do.
Continue reading to learn more about soaking dried fruit, whether or not doing so removes sugar, how long to soak dried fruit in wine, and more.
All About Soaking Dried Fruit
The importance of soaking dried fruit lies in the texture. If you want the dried fruit to be more plump than dry, you should soak it before baking it into any dish. This will result in a better overall taste in the end.
Another important reason to soak dried fruit is that it will absorb moisture from the wet ingredients in whatever they are baked into, such as bread or fruitcake. Cranberry bread is an excellent example of a quick bread for which you can use dried fruit. You should soak the cranberries in orange juice before baking them.
One trick for baking with dried fruit is to mix the dried fruit in flour before adding it to your quick bread mixture. This will help prevent all of the fruit from sinking to the bottom of your dish too.
Be wary of dried fruit that is gray. Even though the fruit has gone through dehydration, it should still be vibrant in color. Dried fruit must be appropriately stored in an airtight container, jar, or package to stay safe to eat.
Does soaking dried fruit remove sugar?
Soaking dried fruit does not remove sugar. The amount of natural sugar is made more compact during the drying process. Dried apricots and dates have a higher sugar content than figs and prunes.
If you need to watch your sugar intake, this is something to be aware of. Dried fruit contains more calories and more sugar than fruit that has not been dried out. This is because all of the calories and sugar are compressed and compacted when the fruit is dried out.
Look out for candied dried fruit because they have sugar added to them. Usually, it is sprinkled on top, or they have been coated with a sugary syrup. If you need to watch your sugar levels or do not want added sugar in your dish, look for "no sugar added" on the package of dried fruit.
What do you soak dried fruit in for Christmas cake?
Soaking dried fruit for Christmas cake is a process. Soaking dried fruit can take anywhere between twenty-four hours to several months. If you do not have a lot of time, you can soak it overnight, and it will be okay.
Most people soak their dried fruit in alcohol for making Christmas cake. A lot of people like to use brandy for this process. Other people use rum, sherry, bourbon, vodka, wine, or champagne.
People tend to soak dried fruit in alcohol for a significantly longer period of time than they do with other liquids. Doing so results in a more rich cake. You can soak your dried fruit in alcohol for up to three months in an airtight container.
What you soak dried fruit in for Christmas cake depends on you. If you prefer not to use alcohol, you don't have to. For those who would prefer not to use alcohol, you can soak your dried fruit in juice or water. Orange juice is a favorite, although you can also use apple juice and grape juice.
A Few More Things You Need to Know About Soaking Dried Fruit for Christmas Cake
You only need to use as much water or liquid of choice as it takes to cover the dried fruit. If you are going to store it for an extended period of time, you should add a little more liquid than you would if it will only be soaking overnight.
It is recommended to soak dried fruits in orange juice for two to three months. As for alcohol, everyone does it a little differently. Some say you should allow the dried fruit to soak for a few hours. Others say covered overnight, a few weeks in a sealed container, or a few months, up to one year. The longer you let the dried fruit soak in alcohol, the richer the Christmas cake will be.
People tend to soak nuts with their dried fruit when making Christmas cake or fruit cake. You can also poke holes in the cake when it is done cooking and after being given time to cook. This is when you add a little alcohol if that's how you like your Christmas cake. This is called feeding the cake.
If you choose this method of feeding your cake, you can use a tablespoon to spoon over one to two ounces or about two to four tablespoons of alcohol, which will soak into the cake.
A few alternatives to alcohol for feeding Christmas cake include, but are not limited to, cranberry, apple, and orange juice. You only feed the Christmas cake juice if you are getting ready to eat it within a month of making it.
How to Properly Store Christmas Cake
Whether or not you feed your Christmas cake, it must be stored properly. Keep it in a cool, dry, dark place wrapped tightly. It can not be exposed to direct sunlight, or it will spoil pretty quickly.
The most efficient way to store Christmas cake is by wrapping it tightly with parchment paper and then with foil on the outside of that. Double wrap it with foil to ensure it is sealed. It is okay to use plastic wrap, but the cake might stick to it more than it will with parchment paper.
You can unwrap it and brush it with more alcohol if you are going to let it age. Allow it to age for anywhere between six weeks and three months. Christmas cake can be stored in an airtight container if you have one that it will fit into.
Click here to see these on Amazon.
If your Christmas cake is kept in the refrigerator, it should stay good for up to three months. It will last longer in the freezer. You can freeze Christmas cake for one year or longer just as long as it does not become freezer burnt.
How long can you soak dried fruit in wine?
If you decide to soak your dried fruit in wine, it will take at least two to three months for the best result. In reality, you can soak dried fruit in wine for twenty-four hours, two weeks, or three months. What amount of time you choose may depend on how much time you have.
The best wine for soaking dried fruit is fruit wine, which is derived from fruit besides grapes. Sherry goes well with figs, and Merlot goes well with figs, apples, and grapes. Pinot Noir is a good choice if you are using dried apples, berries, or cherries.
Are soaked dry fruits good for health?
Dried fruits are good for your health. They contain more fiber, potassium, antioxidants per pound because they become compact in the drying process. Soaking dried fruit reduces the amount of vitamin C in the fruit, though.
Most fruits that people tend to dry are high in fiber. Fiber is beneficial for your health. It is an essential part of your diet for the sake of regulating the digestive system and helping to control blood sugar. Dried fruit offers up to three and a half times the amount of fiber than fresh fruit.
Prunes are great for your body. They contain high amounts of potassium, vitamin K, fiber, folate, and iron. Another benefit of eating prunes is the antioxidants in them.
What dried fruits are the healthiest?
The healthiest dried fruit you can choose is a date. They contain a substantial amount of potassium, fiber, iron, and other vitamins and minerals. Dried apricots have a low glycemic index and are also rich in iron and an extremely high level of Vitamin A.
Click here to see this product on Amazon.
Dates, prunes, and figs are all different fruits that are highly beneficial to your body. Prunes are dried plums and, along with dates and figs, contain a large amount of potassium and fiber.
Dates, prunes, and figs are also rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants can help prevent chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and heart disease. These fruits promote digestive health as well. All great things for our bodies!
Conclusion
You should soak dried fruit before you bake with it if you want the fruit to have a more pleasant texture. Soaking dried fruit yields fruit that is plump rather than crunchy or burnt. Doing so also prevents the dried fruit from absorbing the moisture from the ingredients in your recipe.
You should allow dried fruit to soak for about three months in a sealed container. It can simply soak for twenty-four hours if you are limited by time.
Before you go, check out the following links related to some other topics that you may be interested in:
How To Make Granola Bars Stick Together – Even Without Sugar!
Can You Keep Fruit In The Pantry? [How To Properly Do So]
