Candied Lemon Slices

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I love any ingredients that offer me options of how to use them- and candied lemon slices do just that.

These deliciously sweet and zesty snacks are easy to make and can benefit a huge number of tasty recipes.

When I make candied lemon slices, I love knowing that they will come in handy for weeks and months to come- and I may not even know what I plan to use them for at the time.

These are things I always have on standby in my kitchen because you never know when candied lemons are going to come in handy.

There are many recipes for candied lemon slices published online, but I find this recipe to be the best for consistency and convenience.

It has never let me down, and I’m sure you will love it too.

What Are Candied Lemon Slices?

Candied lemon slices are exactly what they sound like: sliced lemons cooked in sweet syrup to create a sugary, candy-like citrus bite.

They appear in many lemon recipes but have many other possible uses.

What Can Candied Lemon Slices be Used For?

The humble candied lemon slice is one of the most versatile garnishes of all, and it does more than just look pretty on a plate. The limit of what you can do with candied lemons is all in the imagination- the possibilities are endless!

They are often used in baked goods- either as part of the recipe or as decoration, and they make a fabulous garnish for drinks and seafood plates.

Many family favorite recipes can benefit from candied lemon slices- from meat to a sweet treat.

Of course, candied organic lemons make a reasonably healthy and delicious snack on their own.

What Do You Need to Make These Candies Lemon Slices?

Let’s get to it. Before you start working your way through the instructions, make sure you have everything ready that you are going to need.

Equipment

Use a sharp knife or mandoline to get thin, even slices.

A wide pot or pan is best to avoid overlap.

Prepare a large sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

Have an air-tight container looked out for potentially storing your slices.

How to Serve Candied Lemons

There are many ways to utilize your homemade candied lemon slices- but here are a few of my favorite serving suggestions to get you started.

• Use them to decorate cakes: I love lemon cake, and it looks much more impressive when decorated with some perfect candied lemon slices on top.
• Bake them in the oven with chicken or ham: Sweet and salty is in- and candied lemon works perfectly on top of classic meat cuts. Oven-baked ham or chicken breast with candied lemon slices on top is to die for!
• Level-up your cocktails with a candied lemon garnish: Making cocktails at home is a great money saver- and is sure to make you popular with friends and family. You can impress them even more with drinks served in beautiful glasses with a candied lemon slice on top.
• Soak them in water for a sweet lemon juice: Lemon drinks are fabulous- especially with a touch of sugar! Soak these in hot water before adding ice cubes and a sprig of fresh mint for the perfect summer drink. You can also add these sweet slices to this lemon cayenne cleanse recipe to add some flair while detoxing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few frequently asked questions regarding this candied lemon slices recipe.

What type of lemon is best to use for this recipe?

It doesn’t really matter what type of lemon you use, but I like to use Meyer lemons if possible. They are one of the sweeter lemon varieties and don’t generally have too much bitterness.

If you don’t have a Meyer lemon, just use whatever you can find- and follow this next tip to reduce the bitter flavor.

My candied lemons taste a bit bitter- how can I avoid this happening?

Sometimes, the lemon slices might still have a slightly bitter aftertaste even after candying. You can avoid this by blanching them before you put them in the syrup.

To blanch your lemons, put them in a pot of boiling water for around 60 seconds, then transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop them from cooking. Do this right before you start the candying process.

Does this recipe work for other citrus fruits?

It does. This method works for all kinds of candied fruit. Candied orange slices are excellent- as are limes and grapefruit.

Just be sure to slice whatever fruit you use thinly enough- and always dry them out completely before using or storing them.

You can also use this recipe card to make candied lemon peel.

Can I store candied lemon slices, and if so, for how long?

Candied lemon slices stay fresh for a while- as long as you store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

They usually last for around two weeks, but you may be able to use them even longer after preparing them.

Should I dry the candied lemons in the oven?

You can, but you don’t have to. It is a good solution if you want them to dry faster, as it can take around a day and a half for them to fully air dry.

Set your oven to a low heat and keep an eye on the lemon slices to make sure they don’t burn.

Is it worth saving the syrup?

Absolutely! The syrup is way too good to simply discard. You can keep it to use for flavoring drinks, pouring over pancakes, or use in baking.

Can I freeze my candied lemon slices?

Yes, you can. Candied lemons freeze pretty well- and can stay in your freezer for up to six months! Freezing is a great solution for having candied lemons available all year round- even when lemons are not in season.

Be aware, however, that they could feel a little sticky once they thaw- due to the condensation remaining after the cooking process.

If you plan to freeze them, take extra care and time drying them out to limit the liquids left over.

Summary

These easy candied lemon slices are super versatile and work perfectly in all kinds of dishes.

It doesn’t take long to make them- although I recommend making them a couple of days before you plan to use them to allow ample drying time.

Use your candied slices however you want to. With this fail-safe recipe, you can guarantee the perfect garnish every time!