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Candied Citrus Peels in a small white bowl on a purple cloth with 2 orange Meyer lemons in the background.
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5 from 1 vote

Candied Lemon Peels Recipe

Candied citrus peels are easy to make and are a fabulous ingredient to add to all sorts of baked goods, including cookies, cakes, muffins and breads. Grapefruits, lemons, oranges and limes can all be candied -- each one creating its own flavor profile.
*Makes ⅔ cup
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 35 minutes
Course: Ingredient
Cuisine: American
Keyword: citrus desserts for a party, citrus recipes, great in baked goods
Servings: 8
Calories: 96kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 medium-sized Meyer lemons
  • about 1 cup water
  • about ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • granulated sugar or chocolate to coat candied peels, optional

Instructions

  • Remove the skin from lemons using a vegetable peeler, trying not to go too deep -- you don't want too much of the white pith.
  • Place the peels in a small- to medium-sized saucepan and add enough water to cover the peels by about an inch. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Immediately drain the peels and repeat this process one more time.
  • Return the peels to the pan, and this time add about 1 cup of water (just enough to cover the peels by about an inch again) and the sugar. Return the pan to the stove and keep them at a low simmer for about 1½ hours.  You'll notice the peels will become translucent and the liquid will be a very sweet lemon syrup.  The sugar preserves the natural flavor of the peels.
  • Let the peels cool in the syrup. The candied citrus peels should be stored in the syrup, covered and refrigerated. They should keep for about 3 weeks.
  • When you're ready to use them, drain them on a rack on top of a baking sheet for an hour or so to remove excess syrup.
  • When you're ready to use them, drain them on a rack on top of a baking sheet for an hour or so to remove excess syrup.
  • Now you can finely chop the peels to use in recipes. Or you can place them in a bowl with granulated sugar to coat them. Or why not dip them in chocolate?

Nutrition

Calories: 96kcal