1-Diving into this recipe feels like a fun adventure in your kitchen, starting with some simple prep work. Begin by slicing 4 organic lemons into quarters lengthwise and carefully peeling away the flesh, saving it for another use like making lemonade. Then, remove the fibrous inner parts of the peels with a sharp spoon, leaving a thin white layer, and cut the peels into thin strips or use a serrated peeler for thinner yellow slices it’s a quick way to get things ready in about 15 minutes.

2-Next, boil the peels in water for 30 seconds and drain, repeating this process up to three times to cut down on bitterness while keeping that lemony goodness. In a saucepan, combine 4 cups of water with 3 cups of sugar, stirring as you heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Add the peels to this mixture, bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 60 to 90 minutes, giving it a stir every 15 minutes until the peels become transparent and tender the total prep and cooking time is around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

3-Once done, drain the peels and strain the leftover lemon syrup into a jar for later, which is perfect for flavoring drinks and cocktails just remember to refrigerate it. Spread the peels on parchment paper to cool for about 15 minutes until they’re sticky, then coat them in the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar for a sweet crunch or leave them uncoated for a gel-like texture. If you want to get creative, melt 4 ounces of white or dark chocolate and dip the peels halfway, letting them dry on parchment for 30 to 45 minutes these candied peels can last for months when sugar-coated and stored right, making them a great homemade gift.