Apples are great to eat, but sometimes there are just so many of them, especially in the autumn or if you get a harvest gift from your friend’s garden!
The good thing is that you can dry them and use them later as a decoration and of course you can also eat them!
Dried apples make the perfect addition to winter potpourri, autumn or Christmas wreath decorations.
They also make a great Christmas parcels toppers tied in with a pretty ribbon, you can easily add them to your Christmas dry potpourri or make a string them up to make a festive garland. There are so many things you can do with them!
Equipment you need to dry your apples
- Baking tray lined with parchment or non-stick paper
- Apples
- Mixed spice (ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, ground ginger etc)
- lemon juice
- Ribbon or a string
Here is how to dry your apples
- Line the baking tray with the parchment paper to prevent the apples sticking.
- Slice the apples in 5-7mm thin slices
- Lay them on the parchment paper, leaving a bit of a gap between each (there are going to shrink, so there is no need to leave big gaps)
- Using a pastry brush, paint the apple slices with lemon juice. The acidity in the lemon juice helps the apples to stay their true colour and not to go brown as they dry.
- Sprinkle the apples with the mixed spice. This adds amazing fragrance to your finished potpourri.
Drying your apples naturally
Place the trays somewhere warm, but not on direct sunlight (next to a radiator or warm cupboard is fine).
Check and turn the apples frequently to make sure they dry evenly.
This method takes 2-3 days depending on the time of the year (or if you have your heating on or not). It’s the cheapest way to dry apples as you are not using any extra energy, but it does take a long time.
Drying your apples in the oven
This method takes about 6-7 hours, but it does consume energy. Place the trays with the apples in your oven on no more than 100C with the door slightly open (stick a woden dowel or mixing spoon in, so that the door can’t open).
Turn over the apple slices after a few hours and sprinkle with spices again (if using).
If you are using these apples for decorating only, you can also add a bit of sparkle with a craft glitter or even spray them with a gold or silver paint.
You can use the ribbons to tie the apples together, make garlands or just add them to your Christmas Potpourri.
More craft ideas
Stay in touch
Hope this post inspires you and of course, I’d love to know what you think! Let me know in the comments below or find me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and add the hashtag #practicalfrugality so that I can see your post.
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Magdalena
Dried apples for festive decorations
Equipment
- Baking tray
- Baking parchment
- Ribbon or a string
Materials & Ingredients
- Apples
- Mixed spice ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, ground ginger etc
- lemon juice
Instructions
- Line the baking tray with the parchment paper to prevent the apples sticking.
- Slice the apples in 5-7mm thin slices
- Lay them on the parchment paper, leaving a bit of a gap between each (there are going to shrink, so there is no need to leave big gaps)
- Using a pastry brush, paint the apple slices with lemon juice. The acidity in the lemon juice helps the apples to stay their true colour and not to go brown as they dry.
- Sprinkle the apples with the mixed spice. This adds amazing fragrance to your finished potpourri.
- Drying your apples naturally
- Place the trays somewhere warm, but not on direct sunlight (next to a radiator or warm cupboard is fine).
- Check and turn the apples frequently to make sure they dry evenly.
- This method takes 2-3 days depending on the time of the year (or if you have your heating on or not). It’s the cheapest way to dry apples as you are not using any extra energy, but it does take a long time.
- Drying your apples in the oven
- This method takes about 6-7 hours, but it does consume energy. Place the trays with the apples in your oven on no more than 100C with the door slightly open (stick a woden dowel or mixing spoon in, so that the door can’t open).
- Turn over the apple slices after a few hours and sprinkle with spices again (if using).
- If you are using these apples for decorating only, you can also add a bit of sparkle with a craft glitter or even spray them with a gold or silver paint.
- You can use the ribbons to tie the apples together, make garlands or just add them to your Christmas Potpourri.
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