
A historical preserve from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). They should be turned every few hours and more sugar should be sifted over them during the drying process.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
drain the fruits from the syrup
dry them slowly on the stove
strew them thickly with powdered sugar
turn every few hours, sifting over them more sugar
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Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
This historical preservation method works through sugar's hygroscopic properties and dehydration. As the fruits dry, remaining moisture evaporates while the sugar coating draws out additional water through osmosis, creating an inhospitable environment for bacterial growth. The gradual drying process at low heat prevents case hardening (where the exterior dries too quickly, trapping moisture inside), which would lead to spoilage. The repeated sugar applications create a protective crystalline barrier that preserves the fruit while concentrating its flavor.
The preserved syrup fruits can be drained up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated before beginning the drying process. Once fully dried and sugar-coated, these candied fruits can be stored for several months, making them ideal for holiday preparation weeks in advance.
Store completely dried fruits in an airtight container with layers separated by parchment paper in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. If any moisture appears in the container, the fruits were not sufficiently dried and should be consumed within 2 weeks. Avoid refrigeration, as condensation will cause the sugar coating to dissolve.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The preserved syrup fruits can be drained up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated before beginning the drying process. Once fully dried and sugar-coated, these candied fruits can be stored for several months, making them ideal for holiday preparation weeks in advance.
Store completely dried fruits in an airtight container with layers separated by parchment paper in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. If any moisture appears in the container, the fruits were not sufficiently dried and should be consumed within 2 weeks. Avoid refrigeration, as condensation will cause the sugar coating to dissolve.