How to Make Candied Lemon Slices

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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!

Jump to:

• Why This Recipe Works
• Step By Step Instructions
• What to Do With Lemon Syrup
• Variations
• Expert Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How to Use Candied Lemon Slices
• More Recipes Using Lemons
• Recipe
• 💬 Comments

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. 

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

1. 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. 
2. If your syrup becomes too thick while simmering, add additional water to thin it out if necessary.
3. 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. 
4. 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