To ward off cabin fever last year, we played around with DIY gummy candy. This year, as I rooted around our freezer, I was struck by the urge to finally use several quarts of strawberries (they apparently went MIA after I tucked them away last spring). I dumped the berries, simple syrup and all, into a heavy pot, brought to a boil, and simmered until the mixture reduced and thickened. It took a while. I have no clue how long, other than to say it was a few hours. We aren't watching the clock during these stay-at-home wintry days. In fact, what day is it? No clue about that, either. Other than to say it's day six. I think.
My mixture still seemed too loose to spread vice pour. So I cooled it in the fridge to set up a bit. It worked, allowing me to indeed spread it--thinly--onto a silicone lined cookie sheet. I popped it into a low-heat oven (200ish?) and cooked the concoction until it became tacky. Again, it took a while.
Simply cut into strips, these were a scrumptious DIY fruit leather--really packed with flavor and not overly sweet.
I thought they might last a few days, so I rolled them into strips and packed them into jam jars, as if to be stored. But why do I bother? The little ones (and the big ones too, truth be told) ate two batches in one day flat. I will try making more with store bought berries as soon as I can get to the market with a manageable parent-to-kid ratio.
Sandra
p.s. I think it's pretty apparent that I didn't use a recipe, mainly because my starting point was berries packed in simple syrup. I just cooked and dried and hoped for the best. And guess what? I got fruit leather. But as I suspect my next round will use plain berries, SimplyRecipe's version looks like a good reference. I also know some of my canning books contain directions. I'll report back.