I often use chopped Dates, and chopped dried Figs either with raisins, or in place of raisins in many recipes that call for raisins.
Yup, I make my Oatmel cookies with date instead of raisins, sometimes. But I have too many dates for cookies so I wanted something I can freeze and serve later to my little grandson. He likes Papa’s cookin’
When fixing rice as a cereal throw in a hand full of craisons or dried blue berries or black berries, chop an apple, banana chips, fresh blue berries, candied pineapple, the list is nearly endless, then add butter and brown sugar and a dash of cinnamon.