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Candied Lemon Peel

Candied Lemon Peel is a sweet, tangy, and chewy treat that makes the most of leftover lemon rinds. Whether eaten on its own, used as a garnish for desserts, or stirred into tea, this homemade citrus candy is a great way to add a natural citrus flavor to your recipes. Plus, you can use this method for oranges, grapefruits, or limes for different variations!

  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 lemons
  • 8 cups cold water (or as needed)
  • 2 cups white sugar (or as needed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Peels: Slice lemons into 1/4-inch thick rings and remove the fruit pulp. Cut the rings in half to form long strips.
  2. Boil & Drain: Bring water to a boil in a small pan, add lemon peels, then drain. Repeat this process three times to reduce bitterness.
  3. Make the Sugar Syrup: In a clean pot, bring 2 cups fresh water and 2 cups sugar to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
  4. Candy the Peels: Reduce heat to low, add the drained lemon peels, and let them simmer until the white pith turns translucent.
  5. Storage Options:
    • For soft candied peel: Store peels in the syrup in the refrigerator.
    • For dry candied peel: Strain peels from syrup, let them dry, then toss in additional sugar before storing in an airtight container at room temperature.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Snack, Dessert Garnish
  • Cuisine: Global

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 15
  • Calories: 108 per serving