Desserts

Candied Key Lime Rounds

Name: Candied Key Lime Rounds
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 10 min
Yield: Yield varies by lime count
Ingredients: key limes, sliced 3 mm (1/8 in) thick; simple syrup, as needed

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Prep

10 minutes

Cook

1 to 3 hours (drying)

Total

3 hr 10 min

Serves

Yield varies by lime count

Keeps

Several weeks in a covered container at room temperature.

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Thin, jewel-like rounds of key lime, dipped in syrup and dried slow in a low oven until translucent and crisp. A bright, sharp garnish for plating desserts and drinks that keeps for weeks.

Ingredients

key limes, sliced 3 mm (1/8 in) thick
simple syrup, as needed

Instructions

1
Dip each lime slice in simple syrup and let the excess drip off.
2
Lay the slices flat on a silicone-lined sheet tray without overlapping.
3
Dry in a 95 C (200 F) oven until dry to the touch, turning every 30 to 40 minutes and rotating the tray, about 2 to 3 hours depending on thickness.
4
Cool completely, then stack between sheets of parchment in a covered container.

Cook's Note

Both dry low and slow to hold their green color. Turn the rounds and stir the zest as they dry so the edges do not darken or clump. The pieces near the tray edges finish first.

Best Served With

Use as a garnish on desserts, cocktails, or any dish that needs a bright citrus accent.

Why This Recipe Works

Low heat over a long dry time preserves the lime's color and oil instead of scorching it. The syrup on the rounds and the 1:1 sugar on the zest each dry into a light crust that keeps the garnish from going soft or sticky in storage.

Leftover Strategy

Store stacked between parchment at room temperature for up to two weeks. Avoid humidity.

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Pairing

Component, pairing applies to the final dish or drink.