Candied Fruit

The Sweet Art of Making Candied Fruits at Home:

Have you spotted shiny, colorful fruit pieces in cakes or jars? These are termed as candied fruits. These fruits look wonderful and people enjoy eating them. The good news is that you can easily make this fruit at home and it is totally fun for you and yours kids.

The Candied fruits are prepared using real fruits and cooking them in sugar syrup then you get sweet dish that is soft and glossy. In addition, the fruit is also preserved for longer and can conveniently be eaten during snack times.

In this post, you will learn the basics about candied fruit and also discover various methods to prepare it in the kitchen. We will differentiate it from other types of fruit candies, you will learn different ways to use candied fruits during fun activities.

What is candied fruit?

Candied fruit is real fruit cooked in sugar syrup. During this process, the water in the fruit is extracted, and sugar is added. The end product is a soft, chewy fruit that is sweet in taste and can last for months.

Candied fruits are also known as candy fruit and glacé fruit. They can be enjoyed with fruitcakes, breads, muffins, and even cookies. You can also savour it independently.

Examples of fruits that are commonly turned to candies include:

• Pineapple
• Ginger
• Mangos
• Kiwi
• Watermelon rind
• Cherries
• Lemon peel
• Orange peel

Holiday seasons are the main times for using candied fruits as they add bright colours and make desserts look wonderful.

A Brief Summary of the History of Candied Fruits:

From as far back as the 1300s, candied fruits have been made by people. At that time, sugar was the main method of preserving food.

In the Middle East and Europe, candied fruits were a delicacy for the rich class being served in parties and festivals. They became widespread disliked in many countries over time.

Nowadays, candied fruits are enjoyed all over the world, especially during holidays.

Ways to Create Candied Fruit at Home:

If you to make candied fruits, no special tools are required. You can use only fruit, sugar, and water. Here is an easy method for making it at home:

Gather These Supplies:

• Fresh fruit such as Orange peels or pineapple
• Sugar
• Water
• A pot
• A spoon
• Tray or wire rack
• Step 1: Fruit preparation requires to wash the fruit and clean surface dirt then cut into small pieces of thin slices while removing any seeds and thick skin. Peel of half or the flesh of the fruit can be used.

Step 2: Optional balanching is used to soften the fruit and removing any bitterness.

• In a pot add water and let it boil.
• Add the fruit to the boiling water for 2-3 mins.
• Remove from boiling water and place in cold water.
• Repeat 2-3 times if needed.

Step 3: To make Sugar Syrup you can take equal portions of sugar and water in a pot and heat until the sugar melts while stirring often as it dissolves.

Step 4: To cook the fruit you can add the prepared fruit to the warm syrup then maintain a low heat for 45 mins to 1 hour. The fruit will be soft when done.

Step 5: To dried cooked fruit remove the cooked fruit from syrup and place them on tray or rack. Leave them for a day or two until its get dried, the fruits should not feel sticky at all.

Step 6: Preserving or Coating with Sugar after drying, you may roll the fruit in additional sugar. Store the fruit in a clean and dry jar where it will be protected. It will last for several weeks.

What is the Role of Candied Fruit in Fruitcake?

It is common practice to use candied fruits in fruitcake. It enhance its decorative appearance as well as taste. The fruits make the cake sweet and moist.

Many people enjoy baking it during Christmas as it lasts quite. Some people preserve it by soaking it in alcohol. In many cultures, using candied fruits during the holidays is a cherished practice.

Candied Fruit vs. Fruit Candy:

Candied fruit is different from other fruit candies. Let’s look at the differences:

Type	What It Is	Made From	Texture
Candied Fruit	Real fruit in sugar syrup	Fresh fruit	Chewy
Fruit Candy	Fruit-flavored candy	Sugar and flavor	Hard or soft
Fruit Slices Candy	Gummy candy in fruit shapes	Gelatin and flavor	Soft, gummy
Jelly Fruit Candy	Juicy candy with jelly inside	Gel or juice	Jelly-like
Fruit Chews Candy	Taffy-like candy with fruit taste	Sugar and puree	Soft and chewy

Candied fruits are actual fruits, unlike most candies which use artificial fruit flavors.

Different Ways to Work with Candied Fruits:

Candied fruits can be used for different things and they could be put into use in several different ways such as the following.

While Baking:

• Cook muffins or cupcakes and put the candied fruits as toppings on them.
• Blend the fruits with the cookie dough during preparation.
• In the case of bread and scones, put the candied fruits inside.
• To make cakes more colorful, candied fruits can be used as decoration.
• For Breakfast:

• Stir domains and oatmeal or other grain based food and add the fruits.
• Can also add to yogurt with fruits.
• Cereal or granola can be enhanced with the fruits.

• 

As Snacks:

• In terms of snacks, eat the fruits as is for a sweet option.
• Cover with chocolate.
• The fruits can be included in mixture of nuts and dried fruits.

As Presents:

• Can be given in glass jars tied with ribbon.
• These can also be included in Christmas gift boxes.
• Can also be included in packs of homemade desserts.
• Interesting Kinds of Candies You Can Make at Home

Some candies can be made at home from fruits, for example:

Fruit Slices Candy: Using juice and gelatin one can make gummy fruit slices and cut them into the shape of oranges and lemons. After they are finished, roll them in sugar.

Jelly Fruit Candy: With the use of juice and agar powder one can make jelly-like candy which are currently fun and trendy.

Fruit Chews Candy: With a puree of fruits with sugar, one can make soft chewy candy which can then be cut into small squares.

Making these are entertaining for parties and kids.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Is candied fruit healthy? It does come from real fruit, but the sugar to fruit ratio is very high. It’s best to eat it in moderation.
• Can I use frozen fruit? Fresh fruit usually works better. Frozen fruit can get too mushy.
• How long does fruit last? If stored properly in a dry, cool area, it can last for 2 to 3 months.
• Can I candy any fruit? Go to town with it. Mango, kiwi, watermelon rind, and even tomatoes make good options.
• Why is my fruit sticky? It might need to dry out more. Try sugaring it or letting it sit longer.

• 

Concluding Remarks:

Fruits is delicious and a fun way to eat fruit. It’s easy to make, beautiful to look at, and bursting with sweetness. It goes well in many recipes, or can be given as a gift.

You only need sugar and time, so the process is incredibly simple. Turn cherished fruits into something fun and shareable for the whole family.

Make your own fruits today and turn fresh fruits into amazing treats!