Yogurt-Covered Cranberries (A Paleo-ish Snack)

June 16, 2014

Yogurt-Covered Cranberries (A Paleo-ish Snack)

Every now and then, I have to give myself a pep-talk about snacking.
I’m big on snacking. I can’t help myself.
It’s mostly healthy snacks — such as a greenish juice around mid-morning, maybe some fruit during the afternoon, a protein smoothie after working out, or nibbling on dried fruit while watching TV at night.
Still, I should cut it down a little. Snacking is okay if it’s done in response to true hunger, but should never amount to mindless eating.
When I experience long intervals between meals, such as more than five hours - adding a snack might help deal with hunger, and ultimately make better choices at the next meal.
Along the same lines, after a kick-ass workout, a nutrient dense smoothie can help replenish the body of lost fluids, minerals and get rid of the starvation sensation.
I mean, we’ve all been there: you sit down for a meal at a restaurant so completely light-headed and starving that you don’t even remember eating the entire bread basket.
Or you’re so famished, the waiter doesn’t have to ask if you want the pie, because you’ve already gone ahead, and already ordered before you even ordered your meal.
But snacking just for the sake of snacking is a no no.

Yogurt-Covered Cranberries (A Paleo-ish Snack)


Snacking can be a great way to keep your cravings and hunger "in check". But should never be fueled out of habit.
As I said before, when running on fumes, munching a healthy snack is a good thing.
Snacking when you’re just bored or distracted is not.
Another golden rule for snacking is keep the snacks delicious, while maintaining portion size small and the calorie count low.
Snacks laden with processed carbs, sugars and additives, and general junk? No, thanks.

Yogurt-Covered Cranberries (A Paleo-ish Snack)


In the realm of snacks, yogurt covered treats have a special place in my heart.
Raisins, almonds, blueberries,…if it’s edible and has yogurt on it I’m a fan. But imo yogurt-covered cranberries are where it’s at.
If you were looking for dating advice I would suggest bringing yogurt-covered cranberries to him/her first. It’s a step in the right direction all while saying, “I like you and let’s snack on some delectable and healthy goodies.”
Flowers are overrated. A box of chocolates too predictable.
However, you bring along some bite sized yogurt-covered cranberries to chomp on and you’ll win every time. Trust.

Yogurt-Covered Cranberries (A Paleo-ish Snack)

Yogurt-Covered Cranberries (A Paleo-ish Snack)                                        Print this recipe! 
Adapted from Real Snacks and TheKitchn

A couple of notes. Even though the directions for this recipe are lengthy and detailed, it is actually very easy to make these cranberries, and will require about 15 minutes of your time. The (long) drying process takes care of itself.
Furthermore, the leftover yogurt coating should be kept covered and refrigerated. It will set into a gel in the fridge. Before using it, warm it in the microwave for a couple of seconds until liquid.

Ingredients

3 cups / 8 oz / 225 gr dried cranberries (I used Eden Organics)
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon / 2 ½ sheets / ¼ envelope gelatin (I used Great Lakes)
¼ cup / 2.5 oz / 70 gr Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
Pinch salt
1 ½ cup raw coconut palm sugar (I used Madhava)
1 tablespoon arrowroot powder

Directions

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Place the coconut sugar and arrowroot powder into a food processor (or blender) and powder the sugar starting on low speed and gradually work your way up to the highest speed.
It will take a few minutes to powder the sugar. You can start and stop the machine if you need to. Just don't open the lid or you will have powdered sugar floating everywhere in the air.
Keep blending the sugar until it is all powdered and light brown in color. Keep the lid on for a few minutes to let it settle to the bottom. Set aside.
In a large bowl, toss cranberries with one tablespoon of the powdered sugar mixture until they are completely dusted. Set aside.
In a small dish combine water and vanilla. Spread the gelatin over top and whisk with a fork until the gelatin is evenly distributed in the liquid. Set aside for at least 5 minutes. It will set into a thick paste. If you’re using sheet gelatin, soak it in cold water for 10 minutes until softened.
In another bowl whisk Greek yogurt, honey and salt. Microwave on high in 5 seconds bursts, stirring between each burst, until the yogurt is liquidy and warm to the touch. Don’t let it start to boil or it will curdle.
Whisk gelatin mixture (or softened gelatin sheets) into yogurt mixture until completely dissolved.
Scrape the yogurt mixture into a large mixing bowl. Pour the remaining coconut powdered sugar mixture on top.
Whisk gently until the yogurt and powdered sugar combine into a thick, but pourable, frosting.
Pour yogurt coating over the cranberries and stir until the cranberries are coated.
Drop coated cranberries onto the lined baking sheet and with your fingers separate them as much as you can. It’s going to be sticky and messy but you can definitely lick your fingers when finished.
Let cranberries sit, uncovered - in a cool and dry place - for at least 2 hours, or until the tops are completely dry to the touch.
Cut a new piece of parchment paper (roughly the same size as the other one) and put it over the coated cranberries.
Flip it - just as you would flip a pancake - and peel the old parchment paper from the top.
Most of the cranberries fill fall but most will stick to it - because the undersides have not yet dried - so use a knife to peel them off.
Let the the cranberries dry completely another 3 hours to overnight.
Be patient, it will work out in the end and it’s going to be delicious.
When the cranberries are dry, separate those that are stuck together.
Store cranberries in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for several weeks.

Nutrition facts

One serving (about ¼ cup) yields 80 calories, 0 grams of fat, 23 grams of carbs and 1 gram of protein.

33 comments:

  1. Yogurt covered almonds are my dad's weakness and I made a large batch yesterday for Father's Day. I kind of wish I'd seen this recipe first, some cranberries would have added some needed color to the jar. Looks great!

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    1. Last night after reading your comment, I made yogurt-covered almonds with this recipe. They came out amazing, you should seriously give 'em a try!

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  2. Now this is my kind of snack. Great recipe!

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  3. I'm a huge fan of snacking, but I'm sure there are many times I'm doing it simply out of boredom or some equally inane reason. :-/ I love yogurt-covered anything! I used to buy raspberry yogurt-covered pretzels from WF and literally became addicted for a bit. Dangerous stuff! :-)

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    1. I know far too well those yogurt-covered pretzels...they're so good and so addictive. Really dangerous!

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  4. Great dating advice Mike - these cranberries are a sure win over flowers and/or chocolates and purrrrrrrfect for mindful snacking!
    I am on the run ALOT during the day and sometimes snacking on nuts and carrots (sweet and salty) is what keeps me going all "hulk" on the person who cuts me off in traffic on my way home - but these cranberries would work way, way better - me thinks! I am smitten with this yogurt "icing" - gotta try this one!

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    1. This yogurt "thing" is life-changing, you should definitely give it a try!

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  5. If someone have me these instead of flowers, I would totally be into that! Although, I don't think that'll happen anytime soon... I had no idea you could make these at home as the ones from the store are not-so-healthy. These rock! Yogurt-covered raisins were always my favourite movie snack at theatres when I was a kid -so addictive!

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    1. Yogurt-raisins are good but these yogurt-covered cranberries are beyond amazing, trust me! :)

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  6. Yogurt covered anything is the way to my heart too haha. These look brilliant and would be perfect for a healthy snack indeed! I love how they're so much healthier than the storebought crap!
    Have a nice week!

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    1. Thanks Consuelo and good luck with Spain tonight!

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  7. We are big on snacking too, Mike. So are my boys, although they don't always make the healthiest choices. They would devour these though, especially with the yogurt.

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    1. You should whip up a batch of these bad boys for your "bad boys". I'm sure they'll appreciate them, big time!

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  8. I would to have a handful of those right now!

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  9. The last time I tried yogurt-covering something it didn't turn out very well but there was no gelatine in the recipe. I will have to try adding it and see if it helps!

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    1. This one works Mallory, trust me. I've made it, times and times again!

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  10. Hi Mike, these are great, I'm all about the snacks as I eat little bits of food all day. Very clever!

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  11. I would definitely make this for my next date :)

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    1. You totally should Atika, it's going to be a classic win-win situation!

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  12. What a clever idea.
    Me too, I get often carried away when I'm hungry and find a snack at hand.
    So far, this problem is solved with this amazing looking, healthy cranberry yogurt treat.
    Thanks so much for sharing this with all compulsive snackers, you made my day!

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  13. I am uber-impressed by these, Mike! I've been trying to be good with the snacking thing...which means "out-of-sight, out-of-mind" but I might have to have some of these yogurt covered raisins in sight soon. Like for this afternoon's World Cup games! :-)

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    1. These are perfect for the World Cup games, seriously perfect!

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  14. I love the look of these!

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  15. These are the perfect healthy version of the yogurt covered fruit snacks I loved as a kid - can't wait to try them out!

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  16. I LOVE yogurt anything. Now, the interesting bit is that I never thought it would be a good match for cranberries because of their tartness. I can see that I am on the wrong side of the equation....

    Very interesting technique the use of gelatin with yogurt for coating... plus they look so beautiful, better than flowers. ;-)

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    1. Definitely better than flowers and edible too, what about that? ;)

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  17. I love snacking too and more then often I end up with some junk in my mouth! These are perfect! Making them soon.

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