Fruit Perfected: Ocean Spray Launches Reduced Sugar Craisins® Dried Cranberries

LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--There’s no question that fresh fruit is the ultimate source when it comes to getting your daily supply of nutrition. However, there are times when it just doesn’t cut it in terms of portability, versatility, convenience and calories. Looking for a fruit that’s the total package? With Ocean Spray’s new Reduced Sugar Craisins® Dried Cranberries, you can have your fruit . . . and eat it too!

“People everywhere have been making the swap from raisins to Craisins® Dried Cranberries, and we hope the introduction of the reduced sugar line will be a further incentive to try Craisins instead.”

Reduced Sugar Craisins® Dried Cranberries are an exciting way to enjoy the bold, tart taste of the cranberry with half the sugar and five times more fiber per serving than Ocean Spray Original Craisins® Dried Cranberries or raisins. Now consumers seeking to reduce their sugar intake without forgoing flavor can look to a new hero in the dried fruit category.

Reduced Sugar Craisins® Dried Cranberries are fat-free, cholesterol-free and are free of artificial flavors and preservatives. One serving (one-fourth cup) of Reduced Sugar Craisins® Dried Cranberries provides 25 percent of the daily recommended fruit intake and one-third of consumer’s daily fiber needs.

“Now consumers can fulfill their snacking and baking needs without sacrificing taste,” said Larry Martin, vice president of global marketing at Ocean Spray. “People everywhere have been making the swap from raisins to Craisins® Dried Cranberries, and we hope the introduction of the reduced sugar line will be a further incentive to try Craisins instead.”

Enjoy Craisins® Dried Cranberries in salads, muffins and yogurt, or try them in a favorite cookie recipe such as Craisins® Chocolate Chunk Cookies for a bold burst of flavor and color. Anything raisins can do, Craisins® Dried Cranberries does better ― now with fewer calories.

For more recipe ideas, visit us at www.oceanspray.com, www.facebook.com/OceanSpray, www.youtube.com/OceanSpray or @OceanSprayInc on Twitter.

Reduced Sugar Craisins® Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Ingredients:

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 5-ounce package Ocean Spray® Reduced Sugar Craisins® Dried Cranberries
2/3 cup white or semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375ºF.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in dried cranberries and chocolate chunks.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

About Ocean Spray

Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 700 cranberry growers in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and other parts of Canada as well as 35 Florida grapefruit growers. Ocean Spray was formed over 80 years ago by three cranberry growers from Massachusetts and New Jersey. Florida grapefruit growers joined the Cooperative in 1976. Ocean Spray is North America's leading producer of bottled juices and juice drinks, and has been the best-selling brand name in the bottled juice category since 1981. Ocean Spray posted fiscal 2011 gross sales of $2.1 billion and net proceeds of $321 million.