Tangy Rhubarb Sour Candy Ribbons

Sweet, tangy, and irresistibly sour, like candy, but made from real fruit!

Spring is the perfect time to lean into bright, tangy flavors, and these rhubarb sour candy ribbons are a fun way to celebrate the season’s freshest produce. With their vibrant pink color, chewy texture, and sweet-tart bite, they taste like a homemade version of your favorite sour candy, only made with simple ingredients straight from the garden or farmers market. Rhubarb’s naturally puckery flavor shines here, balanced by a light sugary coating that makes every bite irresistibly snackable.

These easy homemade treats are perfect for spring parties, afternoon sweets, or a playful dessert board filled with seasonal favorites. Thin ribbons of rhubarb are soaked in a quick lemony syrup, then slowly baked until delightfully chewy and candy-like. Whether you twist them into curls or leave them as classic belts, they’re a creative way to transform fresh rhubarb into something sweet, nostalgic, and totally unique.

Yield: 8 ribbons / 4 servings

Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 c sugar, more for sprinkling

• 1 c water

• 2 Tbsp lemon juice

• 2 stalks rhubarb, washed and ends cut

  
  

Directions:

1. Make the simple syrup. Add 1 c sugar, 1 c water, and 1 Tbsp lemon juice to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let simmer until it becomes a thick, syrup consistency (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly. You can skip this step by using store-bought simple syrup.

2. Preheat oven to 225 degree F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Using a vegetable peeler, peel long strips of rhubarb.

   

4. Add strips to a bowl and pour simple syrup on top. Let soak, submerged, for about 10 minutes.

   

5. Remove rhubarb strips from the bowl and transfer to prepared baking sheet.

   

6. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until the rhubarb is dried.

7. Remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle with sugar and curl the strips around the handle of a circular utensil (optional). Ribbons will set quickly.

   

8. Enjoy!