Sweet Delight: How to Make Candied Orange Peel

Have you ever thrown away an orange peel after you ate the juicy fruit inside? Did you know that you can actually use the peel to make a delicious and sweet snack? Candied orange peel is a tasty treat that you can easily make at home. It’s perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or as a garnish for your desserts.

Making candied orange peel is a simple process that requires only a few ingredients. It involves boiling the orange peel in sugar syrup and then drying it out to achieve that crispy and sugary texture. You can also dip it in melted chocolate for some added indulgence. In this article, we will take you through the step-by-step process of making candied orange peel so you can enjoy this tasty snack anytime you want.

What Are the Ingredients for Making Candied Orange Peel?

Candied orange peel is a delightful, sweet treat that is excellent for snacking, decorating cakes and desserts, and spicing up a hot cup of tea during the winter months. The process of making candied orange peels might seem overwhelming to some, but it is actually a straightforward task. First, let’s talk about the ingredients you will require to make this delicious snack.

1. Oranges

Begin by selecting fresh oranges with thick skins. You may use navel or Valencia oranges, but sour oranges make the best candied peel.

2. Sugar

Granulated sugar is the most commonly used sugar for candying oranges because it blends well with the orange’s natural flavor.

3. Water

Water is necessary since it aids in dissolving the sugar and making a sugar syrup that the orange peel can be cooked in.

4. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice aids in breaking down the orange peel’s cell walls, allowing the sugar syrup to seep in and soften the peel.

5. Chocolate

Chocolate is optional, but most people appreciate the combination of sweet candied orange peels and bittersweet chocolate. Pick a high-quality chocolate to ensure its quality.

6. Sprinkles and Toppings

Sprinkles and toppings are optional, but colorful toppings such as sprinkles, coarse sugar, or sea salt may provide a bit of crunch and flavor to your candied orange peel.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Candied Orange Peel

1. Preparing the Oranges

Begin by washing the oranges with warm water and drying them with a towel. Remove the peel from the oranges using a sharp knife, being careful to leave the white pith behind. Slice the peeled skin into thin, long strips.

2. Blanching the Orange Peel

Put the strips of orange peel into a large pot and cover them with cold water. Allow the pot to boil for 5 minutes until the peel is tender. Drain the water and repeat the process two more times with fresh water.

3. Making Sugar Syrup

In a separate dish or pot, make a sugar syrup by combining two cups of sugar and two cups of water over low heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has fully dissolved. Mix in three tablespoons of lemon juice.

4. Cooking the Orange Peel in Sugar Syrup

Gently place the boiled orange peel strips into the sugar syrup and allow it to simmer gently for about 45 minutes or until the peel has become translucent and the sugar syrup has thickened. They should be tender to the bite.

5. Drying the Candied Orange Peel

Using a fork or tongs, carefully transfer the orange peel strips from the pot to a wire rack or parchment paper until they have dried off thoroughly. It should take around 1-2 hours for them to dry.

6. Melt and Dip Chocolate

Chop the chocolate into small pieces and melt in a double boiler. Dip each strip of candied orange peel in the melted chocolate and place on parchment paper to cool. Sprinkle your preferred toppings over the chocolate before it cools and hardens.

7. Storage

Store your candied orange peels in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. They should last three to four weeks.

Tips for Making Perfect Candied Orange Peel

1. Use fresh and ripe oranges.

2. Avoid cutting the peel too thick or too thin since it affects the texture of the end product.

3. Use a sharp knife to peel oranges as it prevents it from damaging the rind.

4. Blanching the peel multiple times ensures that they are clean and reduces their bitterness.

5. Make sure that the peel is entirely dry before dipping them in chocolate.

6. Be gentle while dipping the peel into the chocolate to avoid breakage.

7. Use a high-quality chocolate that complements the candied orange peel’s taste.

8. Experiment with toppings to add more flavor and texture to your candy.

9. Store the candied orange peels in an airtight container to prevent them from becoming sticky.

10. Use a candy thermometer to confirm that the sugar syrup reaches the correct temperature.

Ingredients needed for Candied Orange Peel

Before starting the process of making candied orange peel, make sure that you have all the necessary ingredients ready. The ingredients that you need are:

1. Oranges – Make sure to select oranges that are firm, shiny, and have a bright orange color.

2. Granulated sugar – You will need granulated sugar that is of high quality for the recipe.

3. Water – You will need enough water to cover the orange peel during the boiling process.

4. Corn syrup – It is an optional ingredient, but it makes the syrup thicker and gives a glossier finish to the candied orange peel.

5. Salt – You would also need salt to enhance the flavors of your candied orange peels and balance the sweetness.

6. Baking sheets– The baking sheets are necessary to dry the candied orange peel once it’s done.

7. Parchment paper – Use parchment paper to line the baking sheets and prevent the candied orange peel from sticking.

8. A knife – A sharp knife will be used to cut the peeled oranges into strips.

9. A pot – Any pot will work as long as it’s large enough to hold multiple orange peels and water.

10. A strainer – You will need a strainer to remove the cooked orange peels from the syrup and drain them properly.

Step by Step Process to Candied Orange Peel

1. Clean the oranges: Wash the oranges thoroughly and dry them with a paper towel.

2. Peel the oranges: Cut off the ends of the oranges, then cut the skin from top to bottom into 4 sections, making sure not to cut into the flesh. Slide a spoon beneath the peel to loosen it from the fruit and then remove the peel.

3. Cut the orange peels: Cut the orange peel into long and thin strips, about 1/4 inch wide.

4. Blanching process: In a pot, add enough water to cover the orange peels. Add a pinch of salt and bring it to a boil. Once the water starts boiling, add the orange peels to the pot and let it boil for 1 minute. Drain the water from the pot and rinse the orange peels with cold water.

5. Repeat blanching process: Repeat the blanching process again with fresh water. Cook the orange peels until they become soft and translucent.

6. Make syrup: In a separate pot, mix sugar, water, and corn syrup and bring it to a boil.

7. Add the orange peels: Once the syrup is boiling, add the orange peels to the pot and stir it occasionally.

8. Cook the orange peels in syrup: Cook the orange peels and the syrup on medium heat for around 30 minutes until the orange peels become translucent and the syrup thickens.

9. Remove from heat: Once done, turn off the heat and allow the orange peels to cool down in the syrup for around 20 minutes.

10. Prepare the oranges for drying: Take the orange peels from the syrup using a strainer and let them drip to get rid of the excess syrup. Spread the orange peel segments on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to dry. Wait a few hours until they become dry.

Your candied orange peels are now ready to be used in various recipes or can be stored in an airtight jar for later use. Enjoy!

Ingredients for Making Candied Orange Peel

Once you have gathered all the ingredients together, it’s time to start preparing the oranges for candying. Follow these simple steps to learn how to make candied orange peel at home.

Step 1: Peel the oranges

Wash the oranges thoroughly and use a vegetable peeler to carefully peel off the skin, making sure not to include any of the white pith. Cut the peels into thin strips.

Step 2: Blanch the peels

In a saucepan, bring water to a boil and add the orange peels. Boil for about 1-2 minutes, then drain. Repeat this step two more times to remove any bitterness from the oranges.

Step 3: Cook the peels and make the syrup

After blanching the peels, combine sugar, water, corn syrup and salt in the same saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Add the orange peels and reduce the heat to low. Let the mixture simmer for about an hour or until the orange peels have turned translucent.

Step 4: Cool and store the candied orange peels

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Drain the orange peels and toss them in granulated sugar. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before storing them in an airtight container.

Step 5: Use candied orange peels in desserts

Candied orange peel adds an interesting flavor and texture to different desserts, such as cakes, cookies, brownies or even as a topping for ice cream. It’s important to note that candied orange peels should be stored in a cool, dry place and can last for up to several months.

Making candied orange peel at home isn’t as difficult as it may seem at first glance. By following these simple instructions, you can enjoy the sweet, citrusy taste of candied orange peel whenever you like. Share this recipe with your friends and family so that they too can enjoy this delicious treat!

Enjoy Your Homemade Candied Orange Peel!

Congratulations! You’ve learned how easy it is to make candied orange peel from scratch. It’s a perfect treat all year round, and especially during the holiday season! Remember to store your candied orange peel in an airtight container or use them as a great topping for cakes or cupcakes. Thanks for reading, and hope you have fun making your candied orange peel! Be sure to come back and check out our other recipes. Happy cooking!