Simple Candied Lemon Slices
Beautiful candied lemon slices are gently simmered in a simple sugar syrup until tender and translucent. They add a bright, elegant finishing touch to cakes, cupcakes and other desserts—without the need for corn syrup.
Prep time
10 min
Cook time
15 min
Serves
Ingredients
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- 2lemons
- 1 cupwater
- ½ cupgranulated sugar
Ingredients
- 2lemons
- 1 cupwater
- ½ cupgranulated sugar
Instructions
Method
- 1
Wash and dry the lemons. Cut off and discard both ends, then cut the lemons into very thin, even slices. Remove any seeds.
- 2
Add the water and sugar to a wide skillet or shallow saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring gently, until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- 3
Arrange the lemon slices in the syrup, allowing them to overlap slightly if necessary. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 12–15 minutes, or until the rinds are tender and the slices are slightly translucent.
- 4
Gently flip or rearrange the slices once or twice as they cook so both sides spend time in the syrup. The slices do not need to remain completely submerged.
- 5
Remove the pan from the heat and allow the lemon slices to cool completely in the syrup.
- 6
Transfer the lemon slices and syrup to a shallow, covered container. Refrigerate for approximately 3 hours, keeping the slices in the syrup. Spoon some syrup over any exposed slices or place a small piece of parchment paper directly on top to help keep them moist.
- 7
When ready to use, carefully lift the lemon slices from the syrup and allow the excess syrup to drain. Arrange them on your cake or dessert as desired.
Melissa's Notes
Slice the lemons as evenly as possible so they soften at the same rate.
Keep the syrup at a gentle simmer. Boiling it too vigorously can damage the delicate slices or make the rinds tough.
A wide skillet works best because it allows more of the lemon slices to sit directly in the syrup.
Save the leftover lemon syrup—it’s lovely stirred into tea, sparkling water or cocktails.
Store the lemon slices submerged in their syrup in a covered container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Nutrition Information
Per 2 slices
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on the ingredients and brands used.
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