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    TaraTeaspoon » Recipes » Candy + Treats

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    Candied Lemon Zest

    Published: Jun 12, 2023 · Updated: Jun 12, 2023 by Tara Teaspoon

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    Candied Lemon Zest Pinterest Pin
    Candied Lemon Zest for Pink Lemonade Cake Pinterest Pin

    Glossy, sweet candied lemon zest is the perfect topper to a citrusy cake. Learning how to make candied lemon peel is so easy.


    bowl of lemons with herbs for making zest
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients In Candied Lemon Zest
    • How To Make Candied Lemon Peel
    • Storing Candied Lemon Zest
    • Candied Lemon Peel Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Candied citrus zest is simply the rind of citrus simmered in a sugar syrup. But the results are far from ordinary. The rind gets shiny and the bitter flavor disappears, but the candy retains its citrus taste.

    I use a generous pile of candied lemon zest on my Pink Lemonade Cake or Lemon Layer Cake. You can use it to top any type of dessert, or chop it up and add it to cookies or muffins, like these bran muffins.

    Ingredients In Candied Lemon Zest

    This is a three ingredient recipe! So simple. All you need are lemons, granulated sugar, and water.

    The lemon peel is removed from the lemon using a vegetable peeler and then simmered in sugar and water until tender. Once the lemon dries, it's nicely sweet and candied. It's such an easy dessert garnish that will really impress your guests.

    If you want to try another type of citrus besides lemons, be my guest! Candied lime zest and candied orange zest are also so delicious.

    Close up image with text of candied lemon zest on top of pink lemonade cake

    How To Make Candied Lemon Peel

    The first thing to do is wash the citrus. Use the same soap you use to wash dishes! It is non-toxic (you wash your silverware in it!) and it breaks down any wax sprayed on your citrus.

    Next peel the rind from the citrus and remove the white pith. This is a vital step as you want the rind thick enough to have structure, but without the white inside that can be bitter.

    I use a vegetable peeler to cut wide strips, then I use a sharp paring knife to slice off the white pith. I slice off the white pith to make the texture of the zest more delicate.

    The next step is to simply boil the zest in sugar syrup. You can cut the zest into smaller strips before or after you candy it.

    Storing Candied Lemon Zest

    Candied citrus zest will keep in the fridge, tightly covered for several weeks, and the sugar syrup that goes along with it can be used in cocktails as a simple syrup.

    I store the candied zest in the syrup to keep it glossy and soft. I like to store it in a glass jar, but you can use a leak proof plastic container if you like.

    Candied Lemon Peel Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use other citrus to make candied zest?

    Yes! Candied lime zest and candied orange zest are also so delicious and the perfect garnish for many desserts. Use the same method as above.

    Is lemon peel edible?

    Lemon rind is completely edible, just be sure to give it a nice wash before consuming. The rind has an intense citrus flavor and is high in vitamin C.

    📖 Recipe

    Close up image with text of candied lemon zest on top of pink lemonade cake

    Easy Candied Lemon Zest

    Tara Teaspoon
    Candied lemon zest is beautiful on top of any dessert or chopped and added to cookies and baked goods. 
    4.89 from 17 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Work Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Servings 4 tablespoons zest

    Ingredients
      

    • Zest from 2 lemons
    • ½ cup water
    • ½ cup sugar

    Instructions
     

    • With a sharp vegetable peeler, cut long strips of zest from lemons, being sure not to take any of the bitter white pith. Slice the strips into ⅛-inch-thick strands.
    • Bring sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan; add the zest and simmer until translucent, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool in the syrup.
    • Strain zest and use for garnish. Use the syrup in drinks or on pancakes. You can refrigerate both for 2 weeks.

    Notes

    Recipe makes about ¼ cup of zest and ½ cup lemon simple syrup.
    Nutrition is for 1 tablespoon zest and 2 tablespoons syrup.
    You can use it to top any type of dessert, or chop it up and add it to cookies.
    Prepared candied zest will keep in the fridge, tightly covered for several weeks, and the sugar syrup that goes along with it can be used in cocktails as a simple syrup.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 97kcalCarbohydrates: 25gSodium: 2mgSugar: 25g
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    Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!

    More about Tara

    Comments

      4.89 from 17 votes (13 ratings without comment)

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    1. Brittany Smart says

      July 19, 2018 at 3:18 pm

      Such a tasty cake topper!

      Reply
    2. Mary Bench says

      May 23, 2019 at 1:20 pm

      So pretty! Thank you!

      Reply
    3. Chris says

      June 05, 2023 at 11:17 am

      Perfect! Thanks so much!

      Reply
    4. Julie says

      July 11, 2023 at 6:38 pm

      So simple and yet really adds some fanciness to desserts. I'll have to start thinking of other dishes it might work well with... summer salads possibly? Thanks Tara

      Reply
    Candied Lemon Zest Pinterest Pin
    Candied Lemon Zest for Pink Lemonade Cake Pinterest Pin

    Hi, I'm Tara Teaspoon!

    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a publishing career as Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines.

    Now I write cookbooks, and share delicious recipes and expert cooking tips with you here! Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

    More about me →

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