Trick or Treat! Grapefruit Candy Recipes for a Healthy Halloween
Halloween is the time of year when many adults and kids alike indulge our sweet tooths, but the problem is that too much candy can be bad for you–and make you feel bad, too. One great way to get more nutrition out of your holiday candy is by using fresh fruit to make your own!
Below you can check out two awesome grapefruit candy recipes for you to make this spooky season!
Dark Chocolate Dipped Candied Grapefruit Peels
If you’re looking for a grapefruit candy to make, candied grapefruit peels will be top on the list! Candied grapefruit peels are a delicious treat that are easy to whip up, making them the perfect project for a busy parent or bustling professional. This candied grapefruit peel recipe uses dark chocolate to add bitter balance to the sugar sweetness.
The Ingredients
- 2 large, fresh Rio red grapefruit
- 2 cups of water
- 2 ½ cups of granulated sugar
- Dark chocolate for dipping
Making Your Candied Peels
- Start by washing your grapefruit before cutting the top and bottom from your grapefruit.
- Cut a slit through the peel all the way around the fruit from top to bottom.
- Carefully remove the peel; try to keep it in two halves. Set your grapefruit aside for another recipe or eat as a tasty snack to avoid food waste!
- Cut the grapefruit rinds into ½ inch strips.
- In a saucepan, add your peels and cover with water
- Over medium heat, bring to a boil for 15 minutes.
- Using a mesh strainer, drain the peels and rinse with cool water.
- In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water and 2 cups of sugar to a boil and stir until all of the sugar is dissolved.
- Add your peels, reduce to low heat, and simmer for one hour.
- Drain your peels again.
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment, lay out your candied grapefruit rinds.
- Cover with remaining sugar and toss.
- Allow your citrus peel to dry, uncovered, for about 2 days, or until dry.
- Heat your dipping chocolate in 15-second increments until fully melted.
- Dip part of each peel in the chocolate and place on a clean, parchment-lined baking tray to cool.
Grapefruit Gumdrop Candies
Gumdrops might sound like a high-level recipe, but we promise this one is easier than you’d think! For this recipe, you will need a candy thermometer, so make sure you have one on hand before you get started. In an airtight container, these candies can last up to two weeks! We’re sure you’re going to love these delicious grapefruit candies!
What You’ll Need
- 1 large Rio red grapefruit
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of light corn syrup
- ½ cup coarse sugar
- 11.75 oz. of regular powdered fruit pectin
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 drops of liquid red food coloring
Making Your Candy
- Using an 8x4x2 inch loaf pan, cover in foil over the edges and coat with nonstick spray.
- Zest your grapefruit, measuring out 1 teaspoon of zest.
- Cut your grapefruit in half and juice, measuring out ¾ cup of juice, then strain.
- In a saucepan, bring your sugar and corn syrup to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring continuously.
- Once the sugar is dissolved, reduce to medium heat and allow to boil for about 10 minutes or until your candy thermometer reads 280°F.
- In a separate saucepan, bring your baking soda, grapefruit juice, and pectin to a boil over medium heat, stirring continuously.
- With your pectin mixture still boiling, pour the hot sugar syrup into the pan, stirring constantly.
- Cook the pectin and sugar mixture for another minute and remove from heat.
- Stir in your food coloring and zest.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared loaf pan and let sit for 2 hours or until firm.
- Cut your candy loaf into small chunks.
Get Delicious, Fresh Grapefruit to Your Door with Winter Sweetz!
From biting into a crunchy, sugar-coated candied peel to digging into fresh fruit, there’s no wrong way to eat grapefruit! Whether you’re a candy fiend or you don’t much care for sweets, we bet you’ll love the taste of a fresh Rio red grapefruit this fall! Citrus fruits are the perfect treat for the changing weather!
Our grapefruits are out of season right now, but they’ll be back in stock before you know it! Make sure you get a chance to buy your own box of delicious Rio red grapefruit by signing up for our newsletter today!
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