Baked Dried Fruit
A warm, comforting baked dried fruit dish with a rich blend of apricots, prunes, oranges, and cherries, perfect for dessert or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place apricots and prunes in a greased 2-quart casserole.
- Add mandarin orange sections and pineapple chunks.
- Top with cherry pie filling.
- Pour sherry over all ingredients.
- Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider substituting the sherry with a splash of brandy or apple juice. If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce the amount of cherry pie filling or use a homemade fruit compote instead. Dried fruits can vary in sweetness, so taste as you go and adjust accordingly. To enhance the dish, sprinkle some cinnamon or nutmeg before baking.
Serving Suggestions
This baked dried fruit dish can be served warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with vegan recipes like Seasoned Steamed Broccoli for a balanced meal. Consider serving it alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt for a delightful dessert. It also makes an excellent topping for pancakes or waffles.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick warm-up, but be cautious not to overheat, as it may dry out the fruit.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Baked Dried Fruit contains roughly 416 calories, with 3g protein, 107g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (35% of the Daily Value) and vitamin C (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and potassium. It also contributes 10g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried fruit?
Fresh fruit can be used, but it will require different cooking times and may release more moisture. For this recipe, it's best to stick with dried fruits for the ideal texture and flavor balance. However, if you choose to use fresh fruit, consider reducing the liquid ingredients to prevent the dish from becoming too soupy.
Is this dish suitable for a gluten-free diet?
Yes, this baked dried fruit recipe is naturally gluten-free as it contains no wheat or gluten-containing ingredients. Always check the labels of canned products like cherry pie filling to ensure they are gluten-free, as some brands may use gluten as a thickener.
How can I make this recipe less sweet?
To reduce the sweetness, you can cut back on the cherry pie filling or replace it with a less sweet fruit option, such as unsweetened apple sauce. Additionally, you can use unsweetened dried fruits or add a bit of lemon juice to balance the flavors. Tasting the mixture before baking will help you find the right level of sweetness.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).