Homemade Candied Grapefruit Slices Recipe
Homemade Grapefruit Slices are a delightful treat made by candying grapefruit peels in a sugar syrup, resulting in sweet, translucent, and slightly tangy slices perfect as a snack or garnish. This recipe involves boiling the peels multiple times to remove bitterness, then simmering them in sugar syrup, and finally coating them in sugar for a crunchy, sweet finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 large grapefruits
- 4 cups water (for syrup)
- 4 cups sugar (for syrup)
- 1 cup sugar (for coating the slices)
- Water (for boiling peels, as needed to cover)
Instructions
- Prepare the Grapefruit Peels: Begin by cutting two large grapefruits into 4 wedges each, then carefully remove the peel from each wedge to obtain about 8 grapefruit peels. Slice these peels into chunks or long strands depending on your preferred shape for the candy.
- Boil to Remove Bitterness: Place the grapefruit peels in a pot and cover them with about 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil on the stovetop, then immediately remove from heat and strain out the water. Repeat this boiling and draining process four times with fresh water to effectively reduce the inherent bitterness of the grapefruit peels.
- Make Sugar Syrup and Candy the Peels: After the fourth boil and drain, prepare the syrup by combining 4 cups of water and 4 cups of sugar in the pot. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved, then add the grapefruit peels back into the syrup. Boil this mixture over high heat for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until large opaque bubbles form and the peels become completely translucent.
- Strain the Grapefruit Slices: Carefully strain the peels from the syrup using a heatproof bowl beneath to collect the syrup. The simple syrup can be reserved for use in cocktails or other drinks if desired.
- Sugar Coat the Candied Peels: While the grapefruit slices are still hot, place 1 cup sugar in a bowl and add the hot peels. Toss gently to coat them completely in sugar. Arrange the sugared slices on a plate to cool and set before serving.
Notes
- Repeated boiling of the peels is essential to remove bitterness and ensure a pleasant flavor.
- The leftover syrup is a delicious, aromatic simple syrup ideal for cocktails or sodas.
- Allow the candied peels to cool completely to develop a nice sugar crust and chewy texture.
- Store candied grapefruit slices in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar coating or omit it entirely.
