An easy and delicious way to make nature’s candy even sweeter.
I live in wine country, which means my home is surrounded by vineyards in every direction. A few weeks ago, there was an annual grape festival in the neighboring town, so my mom and I went and bought a quart of freshly grown grapes. It’s such a different experience from buying them in the store because you get to meet the people who grow them and ask them questions about how it all works. For example, did you know that most grapes are harvested at night? This is both easier on the workers and makes the grapes more balanced in flavor, since sugar levels shift when the temperature rises.
Whether you get them locally or from the grocery store, grapes are a delicious and nutritious snack. Candy grapes are the sweetened version, elevating them to “sugar queen” status, and make a great alternative to store-bought candy. Candy grapes can satisfy the sweet tooth without sacrificing all of the fruit’s nutrients. Since they’re frozen, they come out like tiny pop-in-your-mouth popsicles—super crunchy and sweet. What a great little goodie to bring to a summertime hike or picnic!
Are Candy Grapes Healthy?
Like I said, even though candy grapes are covered in sugar, they’re arguably better than store-bought candy because they don’t contain any added preservatives or food coloring. It’s all natural here! That being said, this snack is still very sugary, so don’t consider it a healthy dish or anything like that. On the bright side, this dessert is gluten-free and vegan.
Take the Candying A Step Further
Some people like to go the extra mile with this dessert by coating the grapes in gelatin as well as sugar. This makes them even more candy-like and provides a uniquely satisfying texture. If you’re curious to try this option, I recommend using plain gelatin to avoid using any artificial coloring or preservatives. You could also experiment with using honey instead of sugar, which would create a golden glaze for the grapes instead of a chunky sugar coating. Please note that by using gelatin or honey, the dish would no longer be vegan.
INGREDIENTS
- 4 cups seedless grapes (green or red), cleaned and dried
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare
Clean grapes and coat with lemon juice.
Coat
Combine zest and sugar. Roll grapes in sugar.
Freeze
Freeze grapes to set the sugar coat.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
The beauty of this recipe is that you can make a big batch and then keep some frozen for later. Store your leftovers in an airtight refrigerated container for 2 to 3 days in the fridge, or store them in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Enjoy cold, but slightly thawed.
Yes! While these are usually just called “sugared berries,” you can indeed replace the grapes in this recipe with berries if that’s what you prefer. You could even candy pieces of tropical fruits like pineapples, kiwi, or starfruit.
Most people like to rinse their grapes with water, but I prefer to be thorough and spray them with a 1:1 mix of water and white vinegar. I let them sit like this for a few minutes before rinsing them thoroughly with water. I’ve found this cleans them well and helps to dissolve any dirt.
Serving Suggestions
While you can enjoy a bowl of these on their own, they also make a great topping for dishes like Protein Overnight Oats or a Smoothie Bowl. My favorite way to incorporate them into a dish is by layering them with yogurt and granola to create a grape parfait.
Alternatively, on the more savory side, you can serve these on a charcuterie board with various cheeses, bread, and crackers. They could even complement a Mediterranean-inspired appetizer like Mediterranean Grilled Avocado Stuffed with Chickpeas and Tahini. Get decadent and enjoy the plethora of possibilities!
Candy Grapes
Ingredients
- 4 cups seedless grapes green or red, cleaned and dried
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
-
Place the grapes in a bowl and toss them with the juice of one lemon to coat evenly.
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Spread the sugar on a plate and sprinkle the zest on top. Rub the lemon zest into the sugar with your fingers to release its oils.
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Roll the lemon-coated grapes in the sugar until fully covered.
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Arrange the sugar-coated grapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for at least 1 hour.
Nutrition
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