Candied Lemon Slices
You can easily learn how to make candied lemon slices and decorate your cakes, tarts, cupcakes, etc. It is very easy and quick to dry them in the oven. They are perfect to garnish desserts but also as a simple snack!
Servings: 16 slices
Ingredients
- 2 lemons
- 240 grams (1 cup) water
- 210 grams (1 cup) granulated sugar
Instructions
- Wash the lemon well. Cut into ⅛ to ⅙ inch (3-4mm) thick slices with a sharp (chef's) knife, serrated knife or a mandoline slicer. Remove the seeds gently.
- Optional: If you prefer to blanch the lemon slices to soften the rinds, place the lemon slices in a pan, cover with enough water to cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boils, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 2 minutes. While it is simmering, fill a large bowl with cold water and ice. After 2 minutes, remove the slices with a slotted spoon and place them into ice-cold water while you prepare the syrup.
- Put the water and sugar in a large pan and place it over med-low heat and stir until the sugar dissolves.
- When the sugar dissolves, add the lemon slices. Let the slices simmer without stirring at medium-low heat for 22 minutes or until they are translucent. Around 22 minutes, there should be many mini bubbles on top of the slices and this is when you should remove the pan from the heat. Don't let the syrup become dark in color as it will give a bitter taste.
- Take the slices from the pan with tongs and let the excess syrup drip off back into the pan. Place the slices on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper. Dry them at low temperature - 200°F(95C°) for 1 hour. Alternatively, you can dry them uncovered at room temperature; it takes almost 24 hours to dry. They will be little sticky to the touch in both options.
Notes
How to store: You can store the slices at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you store them as layers, you can place parchment paper between the layers to avoid sticking.
Ways to Use This Candy: After you make these candied lemon slices, you can place them on top of your cakes or other baked goods to decorate while they are still soft.
If you want to serve them straight on top of a mousse or other desserts, you should let them dry.
You can enjoy dried candy as a snack.
You can cover the dried slices with granulated sugar and enjoy them as a snack or garnish your desserts this way.
You can dip the dried slices into your choice of melted chocolate and serve as a snack or garnish your desserts this way. How to use this syrup that is left in the pan? You can sweeten your tea. It gives a light lemon flavor. You can flavor your plain yogurt.
You can use this simple syrup as a base for your homemade lemonade. You’ll need to squeeze fresh lemon juice and combine it with the syrup and add extra water. If you search the internet, you can find lemonade recipes with simple syrup. I don't add the calorie information as most of the syrup is left in the pan. So it wouldn't be the right estimate. If I would assume that I use all the syrup, it would be 52 calories per slice.
If you want to serve them straight on top of a mousse or other desserts, you should let them dry.
You can enjoy dried candy as a snack.
You can cover the dried slices with granulated sugar and enjoy them as a snack or garnish your desserts this way.
You can dip the dried slices into your choice of melted chocolate and serve as a snack or garnish your desserts this way. How to use this syrup that is left in the pan? You can sweeten your tea. It gives a light lemon flavor. You can flavor your plain yogurt.
You can use this simple syrup as a base for your homemade lemonade. You’ll need to squeeze fresh lemon juice and combine it with the syrup and add extra water. If you search the internet, you can find lemonade recipes with simple syrup. I don't add the calorie information as most of the syrup is left in the pan. So it wouldn't be the right estimate. If I would assume that I use all the syrup, it would be 52 calories per slice.