Candied Oranges!
🧡Here’s how to make candied oranges! These are such a beautiful touch to a charcuterie board, homemade candy box, or even just a quick sweet treat for the house!
This also works for lemons or other citrus fruits! I imagine this could work for strawberries as well!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40-60 minutes
Dry time: 12-18 hours
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
🧡What you’ll need:
3 oranges
Sugar (I use raw cane sugar, but regular sugar works too!)
Water
Drying/Cooling rack
Parchment Paper
Metal Tongs
🧡How to start:
Begin slicing your oranges, some people use a mandolin but I’ve had horrible experiences with those things so I DON’T. A knife works just fine.
You want to slice them about 1/4 of an inch, they won’t be perfect, it doesn’t matter. Some slices aren’t as pretty, so I cut the ugly ones in half, to make semi circles.
Put a large pot on the stove to boil, then place your oranges inside the boiling water, let these boil for THREE MINUTES, no more, no less.
🍊We boil the oranges before candying them to get rid of the bitterness that’s in the peel!
After three minutes are up, take the oranges out and put them into an ice bath to cool before candying.
While these are cooling, you are going to melt equal parts sugar and water in a new pot.
I used four cups of water and four cups of sugar in total, after two rounds of candying.
When the sugar completely dissolves, it’s time to put your orange slices in the pot. Make sure all oranges are covered!
These will need to cook on a LOW simmer for 40-60 minutes, check them every 10 minutes and resubmerge slices that have been on the top.
At the end of your cooking time, the candy mix will be very bubbly and your oranges will be glossy and transparent! This is how you know they’re ready.
Carefully transfer your oranges from the pot to the cooling rack, with parchment paper underneath, and be sure that they aren’t overlapping, they WILL get stuck together.
These need to air-dry for at least 12 hours, if not more. You can also use a dehydrator but it’s not necessary to this recipe.
Cover loosely with parchment paper to be sure debris doesn’t get on them, and leave them somewhere safe to dry out.
When your oranges have completely dried, they will be hard and crunchy!
🧡Optional Finishing Touches:
🍊Coat the finished oranges in Granulated sugar
🍊Half Dip the oranges in a dark chocolate and add sea salt! (My personal favorite)
#homemaderecipes #oranges #candiedfruit #homemade #funrecipes
Making candied oranges at home is a fun and rewarding kitchen project that brings a burst of zesty sweetness to your snacks and desserts. One tip I’ve found helpful is to ensure the orange slices are consistently thin—about a quarter inch—to allow even cooking and candying. It’s normal if some slices aren’t perfect; cutting less attractive pieces in half into semi-circles can make the presentation more appealing. I usually skip the mandolin because it’s tricky and potentially dangerous; a sharp knife works perfectly well with practice and patience. Boiling the slices just for three minutes is crucial to remove bitterness from the peel while keeping the fruit tender enough to soak up the sugar syrup. When simmering the oranges in the sugar-water solution, keep your heat low to avoid burning the syrup and gently turn the slices every 10 minutes. This ensures all sides absorb enough sugar for that glossy look and transparent texture. After cooking, transferring slices carefully to a cooling rack with parchment underneath is key to preventing them from sticking together. Patience is essential here—the 12 to 18 hours of air-drying really transforms the oranges into the crispy, crunchy treats that are so irresistible. For an extra special touch, dusting the finished candied oranges with granulated sugar adds a sparkly finish and subtle extra sweetness. Or, for a decadent twist, I love half-dipping them in dark chocolate and sprinkling a pinch of sea salt. The combination of sweet, bitter, and salty creates a gourmet flavor that’s perfect for gifting or entertaining. Beyond oranges and lemons, this candying method can be adapted to other fruits as well. I’ve had success candying grapefruit and even experimenting with thin slices of strawberries, which offer a unique twist. Overall, homemade candied oranges are a versatile and delightful treat that can elevate your homemade desserts, cocktail garnishes, or snack tables. Once you try making them yourself, you’ll find it’s a satisfying process that yields impressive results with minimal ingredients and effort.
🥰