Grapefruit Candy Recipe Ideas for Tasty, Healthier Treats!

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!

When it comes to making delicious candies, drinks, desserts, and more, one grapefruit comes out on top: the Texas Rio red grapefruit. Below, you can check out our favorite grapefruit candy recipes for you to make this spooky season and all year round!

Key Takeaways

• Candied grapefruit peel dipped in delicious melted dark chocolate makes for a fantastic combination, with an easy-to-follow recipe.

• You can choose white or pink grapefruit, but Texas Rio red grapefruits make the sweetest treats, perfect for making grapefruit taffy.

• Grapefruit chocolate bark is the perfect addition to any candy dish or dessert.

• Making your own gummies might sound too tricky, but we’ve got you covered with our grapefruit gumdrop candy recipe.

• For chocoholics, salted chocolate-dipped grapefruits are sure to be a new favorite.

Dark Chocolate-Dipped Candied Grapefruit Peel Recipe

If you’re looking for a grapefruit candy to make, candied grapefruit peels will be at the top of the list! Candied grapefruit peels are a chewy and delicious treat that are easy to whip up, making them the perfect project for a busy parent or bustling professional. Plus, grapefruit peels are full of important nutrients, from immune-boosting vitamin C and calcium to potassium and anti-inflammatory antioxidants. 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

1. Start by washing your grapefruit before cutting the top and bottom off your grapefruit.

2. Cut a slit through the peel all the way around the fruit from top to bottom.

3. 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!

4. Cut the grapefruit rinds into ½ inch strips. Remove as much of the white pith on the grapefruit skin as possible; this pith is what gives the skin its bitter taste.

5. In a saucepan, add your peels and cover with water to start the blanching process.

6. Over medium heat, bring your water mixture to a boil for 15 minutes.

7. Using a mesh strainer, drain the peels and rinse with cool water.

8. 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.

9. Add your peels, reduce to low heat, and simmer for 45 minutes to one hour, or until the peels are translucent.

10. Drain your peels again. The grapefruit syrup you drain can be used for beverages or other desserts.

11. On a baking sheet lined with parchment, lay out your candied grapefruit rinds.

12. Cover with remaining sugar and toss.

13. Allow your citrus peel to dry, uncovered, for about 2 days, or until dry.

14. Heat your dipping chocolate in 15-second increments until fully melted.

15. Dip part of each peel in the chocolate and place on a clean, parchment-lined baking tray to cool. For the best results, you can put a cooling rack over the baking tray, placing each dipped peel onto the wire rack to drip freely.

16. Store in an airtight container. When stored properly, your peels may last for up to two to four weeks at room temperature, or for up to a month in the fridge.

Texas Rio Red Grapefruit Taffy

While grapefruits may be known for their bitter flavor, when used properly, they can add a unique tangy sweetness to all kinds of goodies! Grapefruit candy comes in all kinds, from gummies and hard candies to dried peels. One great use for grapefruit is in making taffy. The cook time for your taffy will be about an hour, with an additional 20 minutes for the full cooking process.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar

• 2 cups light corn syrup

• 2 Texas Rio red grapefruit

• Pinch of salt

• 1 cup of half and half cream

• ½ cup of butter

Directions

1. Juice both grapefruit, measuring out about 12 ounces of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.

2. In a heavy saucepan, combine your juice, sugar, corn syrup, and salt.

3. Cook and mix over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil and cook until a candy thermometer reads 245 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually add the cream and butter.

5. Place the pan back on the stove and stir all ingredients until the mixture reaches 245 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Pour the mixture into a greased pan and let it cool.

7. When cooled enough, roll into ½ in. logs.

8. For the final step, wrap each piece of taffy individually in foil or waxed paper and twist the ends. Store in an airtight container so you can enjoy your treats for longer.

Grapefruit Chocolate Bark

Finally, you can enjoy chocolaty goodness, guilt-free! With grapefruit candies, you can get a nutritional punch of vitamin C, calcium, potassium, antioxidants, and healthy fiber, all while enjoying a tangy treat! Even the pickiest eater is sure to be happy when this grapefruit goodie hits their tongue!

What You’ll Need

• ¼ cup of peeled and finely chopped Rio red grapefruit

• ¼ cup of toasted sliced almonds

• 8 oz of dark baking chocolate

Making Your Candy Grapefruit

1. Using parchment paper, line a baking sheet pan.

2. Dry the grapefruit as much as possible using a sturdy paper towel, and sprinkle half of the chopped fruit and sliced almonds across the baking sheet.

3. Chop the dark chocolate into small chunks and place in a medium-sized glass bowl. Use the microwave to melt the chocolate, stirring every 15 to 30 seconds.

4. Pour the chocolate over the baking tray using a silicone spatula.

5. Sprinkle the remaining fruit and nuts on top of the melted chocolate.

6. Allow to cool until fully hardened. Break apart into hefty chunks and serve plain, or use as a garnish for other desserts or cocktails.

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

1. Using an 8x4x2 inch loaf pan, cover in foil over the edges and coat with nonstick spray.

2. Zest your grapefruit, measuring out 1 teaspoon of zest.

3. Cut your grapefruit in half and juice, measuring out ¾ cup of juice, then strain.

4. In a medium sauce pot, bring your sugar and corn syrup to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring continuously.

5. 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.

6. In a separate saucepan, bring your baking soda, grapefruit juice, and pectin to a boil over medium heat, stirring continuously.

7. With your pectin mixture still boiling, pour the hot sugar syrup into the pan, stirring constantly. 

8. Cook the pectin and sugar mixture for another minute and remove from heat.

9. Stir in your food coloring and zest.

10. Pour the mixture into your prepared loaf pan and let sit for 2 hours or until firm.

11. Cut your candy loaf into small chunks, and share with friends and family to brighten their day!

Salted Chocolate-Dipped Grapefruit

Is there anything better than chocolate? We think so: chocolate and grapefruits! Toss a little salt on there, and now we’re really talking! This yummy treat is perfect for Halloween or any time you’re looking for something delicious to munch on. Plus, you won’t have to use an oven, so this treat is perfect if you’re in a hurry or want to avoid heating up your kitchen!

What You’ll Need

• 2 large Rio red grapefruit

• 1 cup of dark or semisweet chocolate

• Kosher or sea salt

• Optional 2 tsp of coconut oil

Making Your Salted Chocolate Grapefruit

1. Peel your grapefruit and carefully remove all of the white pith. 

2. While taking care not to tear the membrane, separate your fruit into sections.

3. Using waxed paper or parchment, line a sheet tray.

4. Combined with coconut oil for a softer bite, melt your chocolate in a microwave or double boiler in a shallow bowl. Stir the chocolate often while heating.

5. Dip the sectioned grapefruit into the melted chocolate by carefully holding each by the tip and dipping about halfway. Place each dipped section onto the lined tray.

6. Sprinkle the sections with the salt while warm.

7. Place the tray in a freezer or refrigerator to harden completely before serving.

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!

From grapefruit slices to chocolate-dipped treats, you can’t beat that red grapefruit flavor! Join the newsletter to catch when we’re back in stock!

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