Raisins are fantastic in baked goods like oatmeal cookies and (of course) your Grandma’s famous carrot cake. Because they’re so dry, however, raisins tend to absorb the liquid from your baked goods, making the final dessert less moist. That’s almost never a good thing! The best bakers take a key extra step—soaking raisins before folding them into the batter.
How to Plump Raisins
Choose the Right Soaking Liquid
Water is the most common soaking liquid, but fruit juices (like pineapple for Aunt Murna’s Jam Cake), extracts and spirits (like rum and brandy) can also be used. Another liquid that many have never considered but is a natural choice is eggs. Most baked goods call for eggs anyway, so by soaking your fruit in the eggs before mixing them into your batter, you don’t have to worry about adding any extra liquid.
Pick a Tried-and-True Method
Different cooks all have different methods for soaking their dried fruit, each believing their technique yields a more plump product. There are at least four ways to achieve soaked fruit. Here are the best I’ve heard:
- Pour enough hot water over the raisins to cover them and let them sit for 10-15 minutes, then drain and use.
- Add both your liquid and the raisins to a saucepan and heat the mixture to a boil, then remove from the heat and let sit for 10-15 minutes before draining and using.
- Place the raisins in a microwave-safe bowl and cover them with liquid; microwave for 2-3 minutes, then soak for 10-15 minutes before folding into batter.
- Cover the raisins with room temperature liquid and soak for 30 minutes. After that time has passed, they’re ready to use!
Pro Tip: Soaking longer isn’t necessarily better. Raisins will only plump so much, and they’ll do it pretty quickly.
Generally speaking, any method will work. You can simply make your choice based on how much time you have and how many dishes you want to wash! It’s worth noting that soaking raisins isn’t limited to baked goods—plump them for snacks, salad toppings or even a couscous side dish.
Tasty Carrot Cake-Inspired Recipes
Carrot Cake
This wonderful recipe for carrot cake dates back to my great-grandmother! My family and I make sure to bake up a few of these carrot cakes for special occasions to make sure there's enough to go around. You'll love the texture this pretty, moist treat gets from pineapple, coconut and, of course, carrots! —Debbie Jones, California, Maryland
Coconut Carrot Muffins
If you like carrot cake, you'll probably like these muffins, too. They make a neat treat for an Easter get-together! I use canned carrots to save some extra time in the kitchen. —Brittany Carrington, Tehachapi, California
Carrot-Cranberry Spice Cake
I love carrot cake and those made with cranberries. Using leftover cranberry sauce, I add carrots to make one marvelous cake that’s tangy and sweet. —Elizabeth King, Duluth, Minnesota
Carrot Cake Oatmeal
This warm breakfast cereal made in the slow cooker is a great way to get your veggies in the morning and keep a healthy diet! For extra crunch, I garnish individual servings with ground walnuts or pecans.—Debbie Kain, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Carrot Layer Cake
My sister gave me this recipe for what she calls "the ultimate carrot cake," and it really lives up to the name. When people taste it, they're bowled over by the tender, not-too-sweet cake and unexpected pecan filling. —Linda Van Holland, Innisfail, Alberta
Carrot Cookie Bites
This recipe is a longtime family favorite. The cookies are soft and delicious, and the aroma while baking…absolutely irresistible! I'm always being asked for the recipe. —Jeanie Petrik, Greensburg, Kentucky
Three-Layered Carrot Cake
My mom loved carrots so much she put them in various dishes at least five times a week when I was growing up. Her specialty was a homemade carrot cake that was requested for every special occasion. When I made this for her 70th birthday, she cried with each bite. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Mini Carrot Cake Tortes
"How cute!" is what you'll hear from guests when they spy these individual tortes. A rich cream cheese frosting is sandwiched between layers of moist cake. —Beatriz Marciano, Rockville, Maryland
Carrot Cheesecake
My family loves this creamy make-ahead dessert. Unlike traditional cheesecake, I sprinkle a streusel topping over the filling. It needs to be refrigerated overnight and is well worth the wait. —Misty Wellman, Scottsdale, Arizona
Blue Ribbon Carrot Cake Cookies
I created this recipe because I just love carrot cake. I wanted something that I could take with me anywhere and not need a fork. I entered my recipe in the Los Angeles County Fair and the cookies not only won first place, but were also named Best of Division. —Marina Castle, Canyon Country, California
Easter Basket Cupcakes
My mother and I would make these when I was growing up, and I had just as much fun sharing the same experience with my own children when they were young. —Kathy Kittell, Lenexa, Kansas
Carrot Cake Jam
For a change of pace from berry jams, try this unique option. Spread on a bagel with cream cheese, it tastes almost as good as real carrot cake!—Rachelle Stratton, Rock Springs, Wyoming
Dark Chocolate Carrot Cake
Carrot cake has a dark side—and it’s divine! Cream cheese and shredded carrots in the batter keep the cake moist, while toasted nuts and cinnamon boost the flavor. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Carrot Cupcakes
To try to get my family to eat more vegetables, I often "hide" nutritional foods inside sweet treats. The carrots add wonderful moistness to these cupcakes, which have a rich cream cheese frosting. Now we can have our cake and eat our vegetables, too! —Doreen Kelly, Rosyln, Pennsylvania
Surprise Carrot Cake
A cousin gave me this carrot cake recipe. It's a wonderful potluck pleaser with its "surprise" cream cheese center. My husband and our two young children love it, too! —Lisa Bowen, Little Britian, Ontario
Carrot Cake with Pecan Frosting
My husband constantly requests this homey, old-fashioned version of carrot cake. The frosting is still tasty even without the pecans. —Adrian Badon, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Carrot Fruitcake
Even those who don't care for fruitcake love this special holiday dessert. It's a fun way to "dress up" that old favorite, carrot cake. Try it—your friends and family will agree. —Ann Parden, Chunchula, Alabama
Tropical Carrot Cake
I look forward to August because our family reunion means fun and great food, like this classic cake with the special flair it gets from pineapple. My great-aunt gave me this recipe, and I always make it for the reunion. —Victoria Casey, Enterprise, Oregon
Carrot Cake Doughnuts
For an easy doughnut recipe which everyone will love, I make these doughnuts. I love carrot cake so I wanted to carry the flavor over to these doughnuts. My experiments worked and these doughnuts are favorite in my family.—Tamera Danforth, The Dalles, Oregon
Zucchini Carrot Spice Cake
My family adores sweets, and I like to serve treats like this that are good for them, too. The cake is spiced just right and has a creamy marshmallow topping spiked with orange juice and vanilla. —Layla Payton, Midwest City, Oklahoma
Carrot Cake Shortbread
I really love carrot cake and wanted to make a cookie that had the same flavors, and these comforting cookies are are it! Cinnamon, maple and vanilla make them perfect for the holidays. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Mrs. Thompson's Carrot Cake
I received this recipe from the mother of a patient I cared for back in 1972 in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was, and is, the best carrot cake I have ever tasted. It’s requested for many family gatherings and celebrations. — Becky Wachob, Kelly, Wyoming
Sarah Kosalos