Candied lemon peel is a delightful, citrusy snack that adds a refreshing burst of sweetness and tang to your holiday treats. This simple yet elegant candy is made by simmering lemon peels in a sugar syrup until they become tender and coated with a sweet, glossy finish. With its natural tartness balanced by sugar, candied lemon peel is a perfect addition to your Christmas dessert table or a lovely gift to share with loved ones.
The process of making candied lemon peel is relatively easy and requires only a few ingredients. Fresh lemons are the star of the show, and their peels are carefully cut into strips to create long, slender pieces. After removing the bitter white pith from the peel, the strips are simmered in a simple syrup made of water and sugar. This gentle simmering allows the peels to absorb the sweetness of the syrup while softening and becoming translucent, creating a candy that is both chewy and sweet.
Once the peels have been soaked in the syrup, they are rolled in sugar, which helps to crystallize the outer layer, giving the candy a sweet, crunchy exterior. The result is a tangy, sugary bite that’s full of citrus flavor with just the right amount of sweetness. The candied lemon peel can be enjoyed on its own or used to garnish cakes, cookies, or other desserts, adding a festive touch and a burst of bright, citrusy flavor.
Candied lemon peel is also versatile enough to be used in savory dishes or drinks. You can chop it up and sprinkle it over salads or use it to enhance cocktails like martinis or mojitos. It also makes a wonderful addition to a holiday gift basket, packaged in a small jar with a festive ribbon for a thoughtful, homemade present.
Whether you’re indulging in this treat on its own or incorporating it into your festive recipes, candied lemon peel is a sweet, tangy, and refreshing way to celebrate the season. With its delicate balance of sugar and citrus, it’s a treat that’s sure to brighten your holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 4 lemons organic preferred
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Wash the lemons thoroughly and peel them using a vegetable peeler, trying to avoid the white pith.
- Place the peels in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes and then drain.
- In the same pot, combine 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the lemon peels to the sugar syrup and simmer on low heat for about 1 hour, or until the peels become translucent.
- Remove the peels from the syrup and let them dry on a wire rack for several hours.
- Once dry, roll the peels in additional sugar if desired.
Nutrition
I followed the recipe but the peels ended up too chewy. I think I boiled them too much. Any tips?
I had the same issue! Make sure to only simmer the peels for about 30 minutes instead of an hour. That might help with the chewiness!
Chewy peels? That’s strange. I thought they were supposed to be like candy. Maybe try less boiling next time, or just skip that step?
Delicious!!! I used the peels to decorate my cake, looked beautiful! 🌟
I didn’t really understand the process. The peels came out super bitter. Maybe I’m just bad at this?
Don’t worry! The bitterness can come from the pith. Make sure to peel thinly next time!
I just gave up after my peels turned out all soft and mushy. Maybe it’s a tricky recipe?
This was super easy to make! The peels turned out perfect. My kids loved them!
Sure, but did you really think the peels would taste that great? I don’t trust lemon peels as a snack…
I’m delighted to hear that! Nothing beats a simple recipe that kids enjoy. Great job!
Did I do something wrong? Mine turned out really sticky and hard. Yikes!
Just did this with my kids! We had fun, even if it was messy. They love lemon candy now!
Too much work. Shouldn’t you just buy them? It’s not worth the fuss.
I don’t know about this. I thought candied lemon peel would be more difficult to make. Is it even worth it?
These are soooo good! I wanna make these for my grandma, she loves sweets.
Easy to follow instructions. I just wish I could find more uses for them after making them.
Lemon peels? Is that healthy or even edible?? Seems weird.
Yeah, lemon peels are totally edible and actually have a lot of health benefits! They’re rich in vitamins and can add a nice flavor. Just make sure they’re organic like you said!
Yum! I used this recipe for a lemon dessert bar topping, and it was a hit at the party! 💖
So glad you enjoyed it! It really does add a nice touch to desserts. 🍋
I’m not sure about this. Is it really worth all the effort? Seems like a lot of work for some peels.
I get where you’re coming from! It does sound like a lot of work, but trust me, the end result is so worth it! The flavors are amazing!
Wow, all that for peels? I think I’d rather just eat a lemon. Seems silly, no offense.
I’m just gonna buy candied lemon peel at the store. Who has the time for all this?
I tried this and it was a bit too sweet for me. Maybe less sugar next time?
My kids loved it! They were a bit sticky but tasted great. Will do again!
OMG these were SO GOOD! I couldn’t stop eating them straight off the rack. 🍋😋
Really? I found them kinda too sweet for my taste. I prefer my lemons a little tart. 🤷♀️
I know right?! They are addictive! I made them last week and my kids loved them too! 🍋❤️
This sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try it out. I’ve always loved lemon flavors.
What’s the point of this? It’s just lemon skin! Who eats this stuff? Weird recipe.
Can you use other citrus fruits? I got too many oranges and I’m just lost here.
I think you can use oranges! They might taste a bit different but sweet is sweet, right?
No way, you gotta stick to lemons! Oranges won’t work the same. Trust me.
I’ve never made anything like this before. I was a little scared but I think it worked! Thanks!
Lemon peels? Gross. Never thought this would be a thing. Not for me.
I actually love lemon peels! They add such a nice flavor. Give it a try!
I subsituted with orange peels and they turned out awsome!!
Why would anyone want to eat lemon peel? Seems gross to me.
Actually, it’s really tasty when you candy it! You might be surprised how sweet it becomes. Give it a try!
I don’t get it either! Lemon peel sounds chewy and bitter. I’d rather stick to the fruit itself!
Really good but maybe next time I won’t boil them as long? Just my opinion.
I tried this recipe and it was super easy! The candied peels turned out delicious. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
This recipe is a win! I plan to use it in my cakes. Thanks for sharing!
Lemon peel? Why not just use the whole lemon? Seems wasteful to me. Not gonna make this.
I didn’t have enough time, so I just ate the raw peels. LOL! Not the same but still yummy!
OMG this is like the best thing ever! Made them for my grandma and she adores them! Will make again.
This turned out amazing! The taste is just perfect, and the texture is spot on. Highly recommend!