Adding a Healthy Element to Dessert with Dried Fruit

There’s no denying that Americans need to eat more fruit. Studies show that a diet full of nutrient-dense fruit and vegetables is essential in maintaining one’s health and even reducing the risk of a multitude of diseases. Traina® Home Grown’s naturally sun dried fruits make it easy to enjoy more healthy fruit — even when indulging in some sweet treats! The Traina family offers some simple tips for adding healthy dried fruit into decadent desserts. 

Add Dried Fruit to Banana Bread — Banana bread already packs a punch of nutrients thanks to the bananas that make it so moist and healthy. But to take a banana bread recipe to the next level with added texture as well, bakers can toss finely diced dried apples, apricots, pears or even cranberries into their next batch of banana bread batter.

Use Figs and Dates as Natural Sweetener — Figs and dates are often used in diets as a way to add sweet flavor (and texture) without using refined white sugar. They also serve to thicken batters or smoothies when blended and can be used as jams, too. Figs and dates can be used to make ice cream, pies and tarts, cakes and bars, so there is really no limit to these sweet little gems. Even dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with finely chopped nuts, figs or dates can make for a simple, elegant and healthier dessert.

Amp up Oatmeal Cookies — Oatmeal cookies like grandma makes are versatile enough to customize with dried fruits and nuts. Think white chocolate and dried cherries, almond and apricot, or pistachio and cranberries. There is no limit to the combinations that can be added to this simple-yet-indulgent cookie dough. Instead of making oatmeal cookies, the Traina family offers up this easy recipe for No Bake Sun Dried Fruit Energy Balls.

Mix Dried Fruit with Yogurt — Yogurt, granola and dried fruit can make up a beautiful, healthy and delicious dessert. Or give Traina^® Foods No Bake Greek Yogurt Bark a try. It’s not only delicious, it’s a beautiful and delicious treat for summertime.

Pair Dried Fruit with Coconut — Dried fruit and coconut go hand in hand! For a light and easy macaroon recipe that marries these two ingredients, whip up these Coconut Macaroons with Traina® Home Grown fruitons® Summer Dried Fruit Blend. With a chewy center and crispy outside, these will get gobbled up in no time.

There’s no need to be deprived of one’s favorite dessert in the name of health. For an occasional sweet treat with an added bonus of nutrient-dense dried fruit, just give one of these easy ideas or tips a try!