What Are Golden raisins and How Can I Use Them?

Wondering what to do with golden raisins? This guide covers how to pick them, cook them, store them, and swap them — with 279 recipes to put them to work.

What are golden raisins?

Raisins are dried grapes. They are produced in many regions of the world. Raisins may be eaten raw or used in cooking, baking and brewing.

Raisins are typically sun-dried, but may also be "water-dipped," or dehydrated**.

"Golden raisins" are made from Sultanas, treated with Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), and flame-dried to give them their characteristic color.

Raisins range from about 67% to 72% sugars by weight, most of which is fructose.

Raisins, like prunes and apricots, are also high in certain antioxidants. As with all dried fruits, raisins have a very low vitamin C content.

Raisins are sweet due to their high concentration of sugars. The sugar inside the fruit crystallizes if they are stored for a long period. This makes the dry raisins gritty, but does not affect their usability. The sugar grains dissolve when the raisins are swelled in (hot) water.

Nutrition

Where found

Golden raisins are usually found in the baking supplies section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group

Golden raisins are a member of the Fruits and Fruit Juices US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

How much do golden raisins weigh?

Related

Fruits and Fruit Juices

Recipes using golden raisins

There are 279 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Honey Soda Bread

Irish honey soda bread with whole wheat, golden raisins, and caraway seeds. No yeast, sweetened with honey, ready in just over an hour. Authentic St. Patrick's Day baking.

Very Yummy Granola

Homemade granola with rolled oats, sliced almonds, shredded coconut, wheat germ, and cinnamon, lightly bound with maple syrup and oil. Bakes in 10 minutes flat. Toss in golden raisins or dried cranberries after toasting.

Best Ever Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin muffins with cinnamon, golden raisins, and walnuts. Lightened up with skim milk, canola oil, and extra egg whites for a tender crumb without the butter weight.

Mango Chutney #2

Homemade mango chutney with brown sugar, ginger, garlic, raisins, and warm spices. Slow-simmered to jam consistency and aged four weeks for deep flavor.

Rum & Raisin Christmas Popcorn Balls

Rum and raisin are a classic combination. Use both of them to give these popcorn a tasty twist. Make sure that you make enough, there will be lots of people who comes for a second or a third one...

Favourite Pot Luck Sweet & Sour Slaw

A great little salad is perfect to be aside with grilled sausages.

Cornmeal-Raisin Scones

Cornmeal-raisin scones with a tender crumb and a subtle cornbread crunch from yellow cornmeal. Sweet golden raisins and tangy buttermilk make these drop scones taste like Southern morning baking.

Aam Chutney (Pineapple-Chile Chutney)

Sweet, sour and spicy, this delicious pineapple-chile chutney is packed with flavors. Serve it as a side dish with any Indian main course.

Granola With Raisins, Apples & Cinnamon

Homemade granola with rolled oats, bran flakes, slivered almonds, dried apples, and golden raisins bound with honey and applesauce. A low-fat, cinnamon-spiced breakfast cereal ready in under an hour.

Curried Spinach Salad

A fresh take on spinach salad. This sweet and savory salad is a wonderful alternative to the bacon and tomato variety.

Baby Routh's Rosemary Muffins with Goat Cheese (Healthier Version)

Whole wheat rosemary muffins with tangy goat cheese centers and golden raisins. Lighter than the classic version but still packed with herbal flavor for brunch or dinner sides.

Baby Greens with Mediterranean Vinaigrette

This is such a flavorful salad, the vinaigrette brings all the flavors together, and the spinach, dried cranberries and cheddar cheese are perfectly delicious with this tasty dressing.

Aam Chutney (Mango-Chile Chutney)

This spicy and sweet mango chuntney goes very well with the corn flatbread, you can also use pineapple too.

Baby Routh's Rosemary Muffins with Goat Cheese

Savory rosemary muffins with molten goat cheese centers and plump golden raisins. The herb-studded, barely sweet crumb pairs with wild game, lamb, or holiday brunch spreads.

Bee Hive Restaurant Chicken Curry

A savory dish that brings memories of India into your kitchen and onto your dinner plate.

Commercial-Style Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip, Raisin Cookies

Commercial-Style Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip, Raisin Cookies recipe

Lentil Bobotie

Lentil bobotie is a vegetarian South African curry bake with red lentils, golden raisins, and curry powder slow-baked in milk. A hearty, protein-rich plant-based main dish.

Chicken Salad with Lemon, Raisins & Croutons

Super quick, easy and it came out delicious with layers of great textures.

Indian Apple Chutney

Indian apple chutney: apples, onion, raisins, and warm spices simmered in malt vinegar with cumin, ginger, and mustard. A sweet-tangy condiment that improves with age in the jar.

Creole Christmas Cake

This very rich cake from the West Indies is ideal for those who prefer not to ice their Christmas cakes.

Cornbread Stuffing with Apples & Golden Raisins

Cornbread Stuffing with Apples and Golden Raisins recipe

Easy Apple Strudel

Easy apple strudel with golden raisins, lemon zest, and cinnamon layered into flaky phyllo. Toasted bread crumbs lock in the juice so the bottom stays crisp. Lighter strudel.

Chana aur Sarson ka Saag Biryani (Basmati Rice & Curry Casserole)

This Indian dish is made with several kinds of spices, mustard greens, cauliflower and chickpeas; it's baked with basmati rice, topped with golden raisins and cashews. You can serve it as a side dish or a tasty main dish.

Nona's Meatballs

This recipe is over 100 years old. I add a twist to the recipe (and a little sweetness) by adding some golden raisins, like my favorite restaurant in Provincetown, Mass., does.

Ginger Pine Nut Biscotti

These homemade biscotti will impress everyone, it is good for a breakfast or snack, with a cup of coffee or tea.

All 279 recipes