How to Plump Raisins in the Microwave

Things You'll Need

2 tsp. water, orange juice or apple juice
1 tsp. honey
1 cup dried purple or golden raisins
Microwave-safe bowl
Plastic wrap

Dried purple raisins may become shriveled and dry in the box, but plumping them up is easy to do..

The deep purple or golden raisins you get in a box at the grocery store can become hard and chewy in a short time. If you decide to plump up your raisins to enhance their flavor and increase their juiciness, it's easy to do so using the microwave. Bakers routinely plump their raisins before adding them to a recipe, such as hot cross buns, but some people think raisins just taste better after they've been plumped.

Step 1

Glass bowls are ideal for plumping raisins in the microwave.

Put the raisins into a microwave-safe bowl.

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Step 2

Substitute orange juice or apple juice for water, for a different taste.

Pour the water, orange juice or apple juice over the raisins.

Step 3

Drizzle a small amount of honey over the raisins and stir thoroughly to ensure the honey is evenly mixed throughout.

Step 4

Cover the bowl using plastic wrap. Put a few small slits in the plastic wrap for ventilation.

Step 5

Microwave the raisins for 30 to 45 seconds on the highest setting. Remove from the microwave and let the bowl stand, leaving the plastic wrap on the bowl for 1 to 2 minutes.

Tip

For a variation on preparing raisins for baking, steep them in butter and rum or bourbon for 1 minute in the microwave.

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