How to Make Delicious Candy Fruit in 5 Easy Steps

Do you crave something sweet but tired of the same old candy flavors? Have you ever considered making your own candy fruit? Not only is it a fun and creative way to satisfy your sweet tooth, but it can also be a great activity to do with kids or friends.

Making candy fruit is surprisingly easy and requires just a few simple ingredients. All you need is some fruit juice or puree, sugar, and gelatin. The process involves mixing the ingredients together, heating them up, and letting the mixture set in a mold. The result is a delicious and colorful candy that resembles your favorite fruit. In this article, we’ll show you step by step how to make your own candy fruit at home.

Subheading 1: Gather the Ingredients

Before you begin making candy fruit, ensure that you have all the necessary ingredients. You’ll need fresh fruit, granulated sugar, water, and optional food coloring. Pick a wide range of fruit based on your personal preferences, but favorites include strawberries, cherries, peaches, and grapes. Ensure that the fruit you choose is fresh and ripe. The amount of sugar you need depends on the sweetness of the fruit you select, so it’s essential to consider this as well. Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s time to begin making candy fruit!

Subheading 2: Prepare the Fruit

Begin by washing the fruit in cold water and then patting it dry. Remove any stems or leaves before slicing the fruit. Make sure you remove any pits, if necessary. Larger fruit should be cut into smaller pieces for easier handling. Use a skewer to make a hole through the fruit if you plan on threading them onto lollipop sticks.

Subheading 3: Make the Candy Syrup

In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. For every cup of sugar, use half a cup of water. Cook over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then, let the mixture boil without stirring until it turns light golden brown. If you would like to add food coloring, do so after the sugar syrup has cooked and remove it from heat.

Subheading 4: Coat the Fruit

While the sugar syrup is still hot, coat each slice of fruit in the syrup, then set it on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool. You can use a fork or a lollipop stick to help coat the fruit. Continue to coat the fruit until they are all covered.

Subheading 5: Optional: Add Flavors

If you would like to add additional flavors, consider including extracts or spices to the mixture. Lemon extract, for instance, gives the candy fruit a bright and refreshing flavor. Cinnamon will give the candy fruit a warm and cozy flavor.

Subheading 6: Cool the Candy Fruit

Allow the candy fruit to cool fully before moving it from the parchment to storage containers. The candy syrup hardens as it cools, creating an eye-catching shine on the fruit’s surface. If you discover the syrup has not hardened entirely, place the baking sheet in the fridge for a few minutes.

Subheading 7: Store It Properly

Store the candy fruit in an airtight container at room temperature in a dry location. Store in a cool, dry location if you’re expecting high humidity. The candy fruit can last for up to two weeks when stored properly.

Subheading 8: Use It for Fun Treats

Candy fruit is great for a variety of occasions like parties, weddings, and dessert buffets. Thread the fruit onto lollipop sticks and present them in a vase for a fun and colorful centerpiece. Put them in decorative bags or boxes for a unique and delicious party favor.

Subheading 9: Experiment with Different Fruit

While traditional candy fruit flavors like cherry and strawberry are always welcome, experiment with using one-of-a-kind fruits for a different experience. Consider using tropical fruits like pineapple and mango for a bright and zesty flavor or adding depth with berries like blackberries and raspberries.

Subheading 10: Conclusion

Candy fruit is an enjoyable and straightforward way to add a little sweetness to your life. With a few steps, it’s possible to create a beautiful and delicious treat that everyone will love. Experiment with various fruits and flavors to customize your candy fruit for any celebration. And, most importantly, enjoy your homemade candy fruit!

Second Section: Preparing the Fruits

The key to making great candy fruit is starting with the right kind of fruit. Here’s a rundown on some of the best fruits to use and how to prepare them.

Choosing the Right Fruits

Before you get started, it’s important to know which fruits work best for candy making. Some of the best options include:

– Strawberries
– Pineapple
– Mango
– Kiwi
– Watermelon
– Oranges

It’s important to choose fruits that are ripe but still firm. Avoid using overripe fruits, as they’ll be too soft and won’t hold up well during the candy-making process.

Washing and Drying the Fruits

Once you’ve chosen your fruits, the next step is to wash and dry them thoroughly. Start by rinsing the fruits under cool running water and then gently patting them dry with a clean towel or paper towel.

Slicing the Fruits

The next step in preparing the fruits for candy making is to slice them into even pieces. Depending on the fruit, you may need to use a sharp knife, a melon baller, or a fruit corer to remove any seeds or cores.

It’s important to slice the fruit into thin, even pieces so that it will dry evenly and have a consistent texture.

Blanching the Fruits

Blanching is a process that involves briefly boiling the fruit before drying it. This helps to soften the fruit and remove any excess moisture.

To blanch fruits for candy making, bring a pot of water to a boil and then add the sliced fruit. Let the fruit boil for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then remove it from the water and immediately transfer it to a bowl of ice water.

Draining the Fruits

After blanching, it’s important to remove as much moisture from the fruits as possible. You can do this by placing the blanched fruit on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and patting it dry with additional paper towels.

Alternatively, you can use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture from the fruits. Simply place the blanched fruit in the salad spinner and spin it until all the water has been removed.

Coating the Fruits in Sugar

Before drying, it’s important to coat the fruits in a layer of sugar. This helps to preserve the fruits and give them a sweet, candy-like flavor.

To coat the fruits, simply toss them in a bowl of granulated sugar until they’re completely coated. Be sure to shake off any excess sugar before transferring the fruits to the drying rack.

Drying the Fruits

Once the fruits are prepared and coated in sugar, it’s time to dry them. You can do this by placing the coated fruit slices on a drying rack in a cool, dry place.

Be sure to leave plenty of space between the fruit slices to allow for air circulation. Depending on the type of fruit, it may take anywhere from 4 to 24 hours for the fruit to fully dry.

Storing the Candy Fruits

Once the candy fruits are fully dry, you can store them in an airtight container for up to several weeks. If you notice any signs of moisture or molding, discard the fruits and start over with a fresh batch.

Using Candy Fruits in Recipes

Candy fruits can be used in a variety of recipes, from cakes and pies to cocktails and mocktails. Simply chop the candy fruits into small pieces and use them in place of fresh or canned fruit in your favorite recipes.

Experimenting with Flavors

One of the great things about candy fruits is that you can customize the flavors to your liking. Try experimenting with different types of sugar, spices, and flavorings to create unique candy fruit flavors that cater to your taste buds.

Ingredients for Candy Fruit

Candy fruits are a perfect wholesome snack with a wide range of health benefits. These fruits take a modern spin on the traditional fruit basket while still retaining the natural goodness that we all crave. The ingredients needed for making candy fruit are widely available and come at a low cost.

Fruit Selection

To make candy fruit, it is essential to select fruits that are fresh, firm, and ripe. Some of the ideal fruits for making candy fruits include apples, kiwis, strawberries, pineapples, papayas, oranges, and watermelons. The fruit should be free of blemishes or bruises. The skin of the fruit should be thoroughly washed and dried before use.

Candy Coating

The candy coating for the fruit depends on personal preference. You can choose from candy melts, chocolate chips, or any other candy coating of your choice. To make the candy melt coating, melt it according to the instructions on the package. Alternatively, melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave.

Sugar Syrup

A sugar syrup is used to add a layer of sweetness to the fruit. The syrup should be made by heating water and sugar in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool down.

Candy Fruit Skewers

Candy fruit skewers are an excellent way to present the candy fruits. The fruits should be cut into bite-sized pieces, threaded onto skewers, and then coated with the melted candy, which is then cooled in the fridge. Candy fruit skewers look great and are perfect for parties and events.

Decoration

Candy fruit can be decorated as per your preferences. Some excellent decorations for candy fruits include chopped nuts, shredded coconut, and sprinkles. The decorations are then added to the candy fruit while the candy coating is still wet to ensure that they stick.

In conclusion, candy fruit is a healthy snack that is easy to make and perfect for any occasion. By following the simple steps listed above, you can make delicious candy fruit skewers that will be a hit with your family and friends.

Wrap It Up!

Congratulations! You’ve just learned how to make delicious candy fruit that will leave your taste buds craving for more! Remember, making candy fruit is not rocket science; it’s just a matter of following the steps and adding a little love. Thank you for reading and joining me on this candy-making journey. Don’t forget to share your candy-making adventures with friends and family, and visit again for more exciting recipes. Sweet treats are a great way to lift your mood and bring some fun into your life any day of the week!