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Homemade Citrus Sugar- A Lemon, Lime or Orange, Citrus Flavour Enhancer

Homemade Citrus Sugar- A Lemon, Lime or Orange, Citrus Flavour Enhancer

Jan 28, 2026

Sometimes the simplest things really do make a big difference. Citrusy and wonderfully simple to make, Citrus Sugar is one of those tiny upgrades that transforms everyday baking. Much like vanilla or cinnamon sugar, it enhances almost anything it touches, but with a zesty twist.

This homemade citrus sugar recipe infuses the pure aromatic oils of lemon, lime, or orange, into ordinary sugar resulting in sweet citrus yumminess. Its uses are limitless. We use Citrus Sugar in baking, desserts, drinks, icing, creams, and buns.

 Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • Zest of 3-6 citrus fruits (such as lemon, lime, orange)

Method

  1. Wash and dry your fruit.
  2. Use a microplate, fine grater or zester to remove only the colored part of the peel — avoid the white pith (it’s bitter).
  3. Combine the citrus rind and sugar in a bowl. Adjust amount of rind to your preference
  4. Using your fingertips, rub the sugar and zest together. Leave overnight to let the natural oils infuse into the sugar.
  5. Blitz the mixture in a food processor until fine and fragrant.
  6. Store in an airtight jar or container. It will last for up to 2–3 weeks at room temperature

Shelf-stable Citrus Sugar:

  1.  Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and let it air-dry for a few hours
  2.  Or briefly dry in a 90°C oven for 10–15 minutes
  3. or spread thinly on dehydrator sheets and dehydrate on 60°C for 1hour
  4. It will last up to 9 months

Tips & Variations

  • Mix different zests for a custom flavor blend.
  • Add a pinch of salt or vanilla bean for extra depth.
  • Blitz for different lengths of time to produce caster or icing sugar
  • Try mixing different citrus zest for your own signature blend — lemon and lime, orange and lemon, make wonderfully tangy combos!

Photo Above: Sugar and Lime Zest before the zest has been rubbed into the sugar

How to Use:

  • Sprinkle over freshly baked cakes, muffins or fruit pies.
  • Stir through whipped cream or yoghurt.
  • Add a spoonful to icing for an extra citrus kick.
  • Replace regular sugar in cheesecakes, desserts, ice cream
  • Use to decorate the rim of glasses
  • We like to add a tsp of orange sugar to a hot chocolate made with cocoa and or dark chocolate.
  • Use as a finishing sugar for cookies

 

Photo Above: Mixed Citrus Sugar-Orange, Lime and Lemon Sugar