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Candied lemon slices are a great (super easy) way to use those extra lemons and perfect for a garnish or coated in sugar or chocolate (or both) for a sweet treat.
It's that season where you sometimes just end up with waaaaay to many lemons. When I have an abundance of lemons, I like to make Preserved Lemons and batches and batches of Lemon Curd.
But then sometimes I like to make these Candied Lemon Slices (or I am loving these candied orange slices too!). They are wonderful for gifts, especially if you dip them in chocolate. Or you can just save them for yourself, which is what I do LOL!
You may also want to try Candied Ginger or Candied Cherries for an ultimate treat!
Honestly, my favorite part of this recipe is the syrup that results from candying the lemon slices. It's so good.
Pour it on your waffles, make a cocktail or some sparkling lemonade, or use it in a sauce. So many possibilities.
If you've got a ton of lemons to use, or just love to cook with lemons, check out this post on all the different Uses for Lemons!
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Why This Recipe Works
A low simmer in a mixture of sugar and water works to candy the lemons.
It's just so easy. Period.
The lemon slices are perfect for a sweet treat (dip them in chocolate) and even better to give as gifts! These Candied Orange Peels also work great as a gift.
It's a great way to use an abundance of lemons.
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Step By Step Instructions
The ingredients here are so simple: lemons, sugar and water. It's as simple as that. I'm pretty sure anyone can do this.
Step 1: Start by slicing the lemons thinly (¼-1/8") and remove any seeds.
Step 2: Heat the water and sugar in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture begins to simmer. Turn the heat down to low or medium low and add the lemon slices.
Step 3: Simmer on low to medium low heat for 1 hour, flipping every 15 minutes.
Step 4: Remove the lemon slices from syrup and lay on parchment paper. Reserve the syrup in a sealable container.
What to Do With Lemon Syrup
- Drizzle on fruit salad or on these Grilled Fruit Kebabs;
- Use in tea as a replacement for sugar or honey;
- Drizzle it on ice cream;
- Drizzle it over pound cake or use it in place of the honey in this Baklava Recipe.
Step 5: Let them sit out on the counter for 24 hours, then coat them with the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar.
Store the candied lemon slices in a covered container in the refrigerator, with slices between the parchment paper or waxed paper to avoid sticking. They should keep for 2-3 weeks.
Variations
- You can substitute orange slices, grapefruit slices, tangerines, or any kind of citrus.
- Dip the lemon slices in chocolate after they are candied. I like to use these Ghirardelli Chocolate Dark Melting Wafers for my melting chocolate (affiliate link). It melts smoothly and the flavor is great, not waxy at all like some melting chocolate.
Expert Tips
- When simmering the lemon slices, use the lowest heat where the liquid still simmers. I typically use medium-low heat, but every stove and elevation is different.
- If your syrup becomes too thick while simmering, add additional water to thin it out if necessary.
- The thicker the lemon slices are, the longer they may need to cook. Lemon slices are done when the center is translucent and the peel is soft.
- The lemon slices will be sticky before coating them sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you store candied lemon slices? Candied lemon slices should be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator, with slices between the parchment paper or waxed paper to avoid sticking. They should keep for 2-3 weeks.
Is it safe to eat the lemon peel? It is totally safe to eat lemon peel. Be sure to wash your lemons before using them. Note that lemon peels will still have just a slightly bitter taste, even after candying them. I find it to be a nice complement to the sweetness.
How to Use Candied Lemon Slices
- Use as a garnish for this Lemon Chiffon Pie or any pie or cake;
- Place them in small mason jars and give them as gifts;
- Make this Candied Citrus Cake from What's Gaby Cooking;
- Really, you can just eat them as a sweet treat. This is my favorite.
More Recipes Using Lemons
- Lemon Curd Recipe - this stuff is the best guys!
- Lemon Creme Brulee
- Lemon Souffle with Raspberry Coulis
- Lemon Chiffon Pie with Gingersnap Crust
Did you make these candied lemon slices? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!
*This post was originally published on June 12, 2017. The post has been updated for content.
Recipe
Candied Lemon Slices
Ingredients
- 3 lemons
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups water
- ¼ cup sugar (for coating)
- 10 pieces melting chocolate (OPTIONAL)
Instructions
- Slice lemons thinly (¼-1/8") and remove any seeds.
- Heat water and 2 cups of sugar in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture begins to simmer.
- Add lemon slices and simmer on low or medium low heat for 1 hour, flipping every 15 minutes.
- Remove lemon slices from syrup and lay on parchment paper. Let them sit out for 1 day (24 hours).
- Coat with remaining ¼ cup of sugar.
- OPTIONAL: melt some chocolate in a microwave safe dish and dip the sugar coated lemon slices in the chocolate.
- Store in a covered container in the refrigerator, with slices between the parchment paper or waxed paper to avoid sticking. If they are coated with chocolate, they will not keep as long. You should eat them within a day or two.
Expert Tips:
- When simmering the lemon slices, use the lowest heat where the liquid still simmers. I typically use medium-low heat, but every stove and elevation is different.
- If your syrup becomes too thick while simmering, add additional water to thin it out if necessary.
- The thicker the lemon slices are, the longer they may need to cook. Lemon slices are done when the center is translucent and the peel is soft.
- The lemon slices will be sticky before coating them sugar.
Nutrition
Heidy L. McCallum
I have been craving lemons, so I was so excited to see something new and interesting to make. Saving this to make later.
Danielle
Hope you get a chance to make them Heidi!
Jo
This is by far the most beautiful looking candied lemons i've seen. oh my gosh, dipped in chocolate , this is ridiculously tempting. I can't wait to try this.
Danielle
Thanks so much Jo!
Mirlene
Okay, my middle child comes to mind for this recipe. He LOVVVVEEEESSS LEMON and I know he is going to like this. Making these for him VERY SOON. I'll come back to share the experience. Thanks for this recipe.
Danielle
I hope you do Mirlene 🙂
Toni
My kids can't stop eating these!! They are so good and delicious!
Danielle
I'm so glad they liked them 🙂
Nicolas Hortense
Oooo nice these would be the best garnish for any dessert!!
Danielle
Thanks!
Tanya Schroeder
I love this, I already have a cake in mind that could use these as garnishes!
Danielle
Perfect! I hope you get the chance to try them 🙂
Diana
We usually have so many lemons on our trees every year, more than I know what to do with! This is such a wonderful idea, thank you.
Danielle
It's a great way to save them!
Lyndsay
We made these to use as a garnish for the fish at my sister’s baby shower and they turned out perfectly. They were so easy too! Thank you 🙂
Danielle
You're welcome Lyndsay! Glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Thea
The recipe doesn't specify whether or not to lower the heat once you add the lemons. I ended up lowering it to a medium flame, and the batch was burnt caramel by the half-hour mark 🙁
Danielle
I'm so sorry they didn't turn out! I've updated the recipe to say to simmer on low to medium low heat. So lower the heat to a light simmer, which is typically on low to medium low heat. I hope you get a chance to try it again!
Allison
Can I use the leftover lemon/ sugar juice for anything?
Danielle
Yes - you can use it for anything! I love to pour it over pancakes myself, but it is also great on ice cream, cakes, toast/muffins.
Healthy World Cuisine
My mouth is watering! Sour and sweet and oh my goodness yum! Pinning this little treat for later!
Danielle
These are totally going to be Christmas presents this year LOL!
Veena Azmanov
Oh God, what a tasty looking this Candied Lemon Slices is! I am in love with the colors and how simple and short the ingredient list is. Yum!
Danielle
Thanks Veena! They are so super easy it's one of my favorite things to make in the spring 🙂
Natalie
Candied lemon is such a great treat - delicious and simply beautiful! Looks absolutely yummy and I really love your photographs!
Danielle
Thanks Natalie!
Brian Jones
Haha I made these with oranges over christmas and they were sublime, i was lhinking I should try lemon and lime next christmas and there you are 🙂 Love this!
Danielle
I totally need to do this with oranges! I've made candied orange peels, but haven't done the slices yet.
Jillian
These looked amazing before the chocolate, but the addition of chocolate is mind blowing!!
Danielle
It's all about the chocolate!
Shashi at SavorySpin
THIS is a dangerous recipe for me to have - now I'll be devouring ALL the candied lemons dipped in chocolate! I usually caramelize lemons in a pan and use those in savory dishes but never have I ever made my own candied lemon slices before! Am in trouble now! Thanks so much for this 🙂
Danielle
LOL! Warning....they are super good dipped in chocolate! Enjoy 🙂