BOO!
Okay, while I’m not the most fearsome creature you’ll meet this Halloween, I do have a terrible tale that should strike fear in the heart of any sensible human being.
Just imagine…
A world that progressively grows colder, harsher, inhospitable to life itself. The ground freezes solid, impenetrable as steel, strangling off all the plant roots and shoots within. Nary a weed can grow, let alone the delicate and highly perishable foodstuffs we’ve come to depend on. Sun shines but thermometers remain unmoved, staunchly refusing to thaw. As a result of the harsh shift in climate, there are no more blueberries; not here, not anywhere.
Positively terrifying, right? Mercifully, that tragedy is only based on real life. Though we are swiftly moving past the prime growing season with winter soon to come, there’s no end in sight to the supply of frozen wild blueberries. Whether it’s 100 degrees or -10 degrees outside, they’ll still be waiting for happy homes and hungry mouths, just as plump, ripe, and sweet as ever in the freezer aisle.
That’s where my batty family comes into the picture. Try finding decent fresh berries now and you’d be straight out of luck, yielding nothing but bland blue marbles unsuitable for consumption. Spare yourself the horror and hit the chill chest instead, where wild frozen blueberries remain every bit as flavorful and vital all year round. By introducing such a powerful superfood, touted for its antioxidants and nutrients the world over, you can reason that indulging in a sweet wild blueberry pate de fruit instead of any commercial candy out there is by far a lesser evil.
Their crunchy sugared exterior gives way to a soft, jam-like center, each bite a balance of bold, fruity sweetness. Mysterious and dark, black cocoa contributes to their fetching hue while adding a rich, smoky, earthy sort of flavor. Blend that with a tiny pinch of cinnamon and a splash of lime for an unexpected, yet completely complementary twist, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t scare up some sweet treats out of frozen blueberries sooner.
Boo-Berry Bats
These treats have a crunchy sugared exterior that gives way to a soft, jam-like center, each bite a balance of bold, fruity sweetness. Mysterious and dark, black cocoa contributes to the fetching dark hue while adding a rich, smoky, earthy sort of flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 Cups Frozen Wild Blueberries, Thawed
- 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1/4 Cup Black Cocoa Powder
- 3 Cups Granulated Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Lime Juice
- 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 2 (3-Ounce) Packages Liquid Pectin
- About 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar, to Coat
Instructions
- Place both the blueberries and applesauce in your blender or food processor, and thoroughly puree. Pause to scrape down the sides of the bowl every now and then, until the mixture is completely smooth. Add in the cocoa powder and blend briefly to combine.
- Transfer the puree into a medium pot with high sides, along with sugar, lime juice, and cinnamon. Though it may seem like a lot of sugar, don’t forget that this is candy we’re talking about, and the pectin requires a certain amount of sugar to set properly. Whatever you do, do not attempt to reduce the amount or swap it for a different
sweetener! - Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. While that comes up to temperature, line a 9 × 9–inch square baking pan and lightly grease it in preparation for the finished candy.
- Once boiling, add in the pectin, mix thoroughly to incorporate, and stir while the mixture boils for a full 10 minutes. Continue scraping the bottom and sides of the pot with your spatula to make sure that nothing is sticking and burning. Remove from the heat and pour the liquid candy into your prepared pan. Allow that to come to room temperature before moving the pan into the fridge. Let chill until set, at least 2–3 hours, before cutting into bat shapes using a small cookie cutter.
- Toss the bats in granulated sugar and store in an airtight container. Kept away from moisture and in a cool place, the bats should last for 1 – 2 weeks, if they aren’t devoured before then.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
40Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 81Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 0g
All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.