Candied Lemon Slices For Lemon Thyme Tower Cake Recipes

CANDIED LEMON SLICES

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Using a mandoline or sharp knife, cut lemon into 12 paper-thin slices; discard seeds and ends of rind.
• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat, and add lemon slices; stir until softened, about 1 minute. Drain, and immediately plunge slices into ice-water bath. Drain.
• Bring sugar and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium skillet, swirling to dissolve sugar. When liquid is clear and bubbling, reduce heat to medium-low. Add lemon slices, arranging them in one layer with tongs. Simmer (do not let boil) until rinds are translucent, about 1 hour.
• Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment. Let stand until ready to serve. Lemon slices can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 day.

CANDIED LEMON SLICES

Steps:

• Wash and dry the lemons. Using a very sharp knife, slice them as thin as possible, removing the seeds as you go. If you have a mandolin, this will get your slices very thin and even.
• In a wide pot or deep, wide pan, add the water and the sugar. Stirring frequently, bring to a boil. Once all the sugar has dissolved, reduce heat to low and simmer. Add the lemon slices and keep the spread out in the simple syrup.
• Simmer the lemon slices for about an hour, unil the rind and pith start to turn translucent. Once translucent, remove them from the syrup onto a parchment lined sheet pan
• You can air dry the lemons for about 24-48 hours, flipping them over halfway through but they will still remain sticky to the touch. Another option is to set your oven as low as possible and let the lemons dry in the oven, which will result in less sticky candied lemons. Check them and flip them frequently so they don't burn. If they begin to get dark or turn brown, remove them from the oven. They will require a good 1-2 hours in the oven to fully dry.
• Once finished, you can use your candied lemons as a garnish for desserts, or simply eat them plain. The syrup may be saved and used to flavor drinks, or discarded.

CANDIED LEMON SLICES

Steps:

• Combine the water and sugar in a large 12" or 14" skillet over medium heat and stir until sugar is dissolved.
• Place the lemon slices into the skillet in a single layer. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 30-40 minutes flipping the slices occasionally throughout.
• Remove the lemon slices to a parchment lined baking sheet letting as much excess syrup drip off as possible. (*see note)
• Let dry on the baking sheet uncovered at room temperature for 24 hours. The candied lemon slices will be tacky after drying for 24 hours but dry enough to use as garnishes or chop up into baking recipes, etc.
• Store any leftover lemon slices between sheets of parchment in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks.