Step-by-step recipes for candied fruits at home from unripe and ripe apples for the winter, with or without cooking

Apples are used in cooking: jam, compote, preserves, and more. Candied apples can also be made.. Candied apples in syrup are an irresistible treat. This dish is used as a substitute for sweets like candy. It's used in cooking (in muffins, cakes, and rolls), in desserts, and can also be enjoyed neat with tea.

This healthy product is rich in vitamins, fiber, pectin, and microelements. Candied fruit can be purchased not only in stores but also prepared at home.

How to prepare candied apples for the winter

To prepare a dessert that will please both children and adults, you need to do the following:

• It is advisable to use homemade apples, as they have an aroma and excellent taste;
• for cooking it is better to take fruits with dense pulp, not juicy;
• cut thinly (this way they will soak better and dry faster);
• When preparing candied fruit, the water in the fruit is replaced with sugar.

Selecting and preparing apples

To prepare this dish, first select and prepare the raw materials (in this case, apples). Candied fruit can also be made from unripe apples.

The selection and preparation of raw materials is of great importance:

• Home-grown apples must be sorted. It is advisable not to use any spoiled, damaged, or bruised apples for cooking;
• wash the fruits thoroughly;
• put to dry;
• core each apple and remove the stem;
• If the apple is large, cut it into thin slices; if it is small, cut it in half or simply pierce it several times.

Recipes for homemade candied apples

There are many options for preparing candied fruit in different ways, as apples go well with many ingredients.

Quick recipe

To quickly prepare candied apples you need:

• Peel and cut 1 kilogram of apples into small cubes;
• prepare the syrup in advance: add apple peel to 1 liter of boiling water and cook for 5 minutes;
• strain the syrup and add diced apples;
• cook for another 5 minutes;
• remove from heat and let cool for 4-5 hours;
• after the allotted time has passed, remove the candied fruits from the syrup and place them in a colander to drain off any remaining liquid;
• Place parchment paper on a baking sheet;
• candied pieces are laid out on a baking sheet in 1 layer;
• Dry in the oven for up to 1 hour at a temperature of 50-55 degrees.

Without cooking

Of course, you want to prepare this delicacy as quickly as possible and, preferably, without cooking.

However, this dessert cannot be made without cooking it in syrup. Without cooking, it won't be candied fruit, but a different dish.

In the dryer

Stages:

• preparing the fruit: wash well, remove the core, cut into slices;
• Prepare the syrup. For this recipe, take honey syrup: 100-150 milliliters of water at 40 degrees Celsius, honey – 300 milliliters. Mix well. Set aside some honey;
• Place the prepared fruit in a large saucepan and pour in the syrup. Mix thoroughly;
• the syrup should completely cover the apples;
• Place the pan in a warm place for 12 hours to soak the fruit;
• after the time has elapsed, remove the pan, take out the fruit and carefully place it in the container of the electric dehydrator;
• put a little of the remaining honey on each slice;
• Set the electric dehydrator to 40 degrees. Dry the fruit as needed, from half a day to 16 hours;
• Mix the finished delicacy with powdered sugar.

From paradise apples

Ranetki apples are perfect for this dish due to their firmness and incredible flavor. The apples are cooked whole.

Stages:

• prepare 1 kilogram of apples, preferably of the same size;
• pierce each apple with a toothpick or pin in different places;
• throw into boiling water;
• blanch in boiling water for 3 seconds;
• then immediately place in cold water for 3 seconds;
• prepare sugar syrup (for a glass of water in the amount of 250 milliliters, take 1-1.2 kilograms of sugar);
• cook the fruit for 10-12 minutes;
• remove from heat and leave to cool for several hours (or up to 24 hours);
• Then add a few lemon wedges and bring to a boil. Cook for 10-12 minutes. Then leave to cool again for about 12 hours;
• After 12 hours, put it back on the heat. Cook for up to 20 minutes. The crab apples will become translucent;
• discard the apples in a colander;
• Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and arrange the fruit on it in 1 layer;
• Dry in the air under the sun's rays for 3-4 days.

In the oven

The recipe is the same as described above, but instead of direct sunlight, an oven is used – the apples need to be dried for 20 minutes at a temperature of 150 degrees.

With cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice widely used in cooking. Candied fruit can be made with cinnamon.

Stages:

• the stages of preparation and cooking of apples are the same as those described in the previous recipes;
• cinnamon - 1 teaspoon mixed with 300 grams of sugar and 1 spoon of citric acid;
• Before drying, sprinkle the fruit with the resulting mixture.

With cherries

Cherries impart a unique flavor, even a hint of bitterness. Remove the pits from a small amount of berries and add them to the syrup 2-3 minutes before the end of cooking. Add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. The remaining steps are the same as described above.

In orange syrup

Orange is a citrus fruit that adds a refreshing taste and aroma to dishes.

Cooking in orange syrup is virtually the same as cooking in sugar syrup. The only difference is using orange juice instead of water. A small amount of orange zest can be added to enhance the orange flavor.

How to store candied fruit

To better preserve their beneficial properties, aroma and taste, they must be stored properly:

• in a glass container, storage in tin or plastic containers is acceptable;
• preferably in parchment;
• Store in a dark, dry place.

Of course, the process of making candied fruit is more time-consuming and labor-intensive than, say, jam. But once you've created this delicious treat, you can forget about it.

Candied fruits are a delicious dessert that will give you a taste of summer during the long, cold winter.

Bon appetit!