I garnished my orange chocolate mousse with candied orange peels and you know me, I could not resist making my own candied orange peels. As it turns out, candied orange peels are actually pretty easy to make. It is really just as simple as peeling some oranges, slicing the peels, simmering them in water and sugar until tender, tossing them in sugar and letting them dry. Before simmering the peels in the water and sugar you can boil them in water one or more times to help reduce the bitterness. The final step of drying the peels is going to take a day or two so you need to keep that in mind when making the candied orange peels.
For something that is so easy to make, these candied orange peels are addictively good! Candied orange peels are a citrus lovers heaven and you can candy pretty much any citrus fruits peel that you like. The crunchy sugary coating wraps around the soft, sweet pure orange flavour creating a pleasant contrast in texture. If you think that candied orange peels are good all by themselves, and they are, then you have to try dipping them into a melted dark chocolate coating. Chocolate and orange is one of those classic flavour combinations and this is one of the best examples of it that I have ever had!
Candied Orange Peel
ingredients
- 3 oranges, navel work well
- 2 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup sugar
directions
- Cut the top and bottom from the orange.
- Cut the peel each orange into 4 vertical pieces and remove from orange in one piece.
- Cut the peel into thin strips.
- Bring a pot of water to boil, reduce the heat to medium and cook the peels in boiling water for 15 minutes, drain and rinse.
- Bring the water and sugar to a boil over medium heat in a sauce pan.
- Add the peel, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the peels are tender, about 45 minutes.
- Drain and toss the peels in the sugar. Note: You want to drain the orange peels well. If you just throw them straight from the syrup into the sugar, the sugar will clump up. (Tip: Save the syrup and use it in ice tea.)
- Place the peels on a cooling rack and let them sit until the coating is dry, anywhere from 24-48 hours.
Ariel says
February 14, 2011 at 11:59 pmThat looks yummy!
Can you do the same with lemon and lime?
Victoria (The District Chocoholic) says
February 15, 2011 at 12:34 amThese really are delicious, and I was surprised that they weren't all that difficult when I tried them for Christmas. Yours are much nicer looking than mine were, though. I've been thinking about other citrus peel-chocolate combinations. Like lime and milk. Or grapefruit and white chocolate. So many possibilities.
Alpha Blonde says
February 15, 2011 at 1:03 amWow! They look amazing and love that they are so easy to make.
Anonymous says
February 15, 2011 at 1:12 amThats something that i've always wanted to try. It seems like such an exotic food, though I guess it's something I could (hypothetically, not in reality) make it at home.
Chris and Amy says
February 15, 2011 at 1:52 amBeautiful!!!
Torviewtoronto says
February 15, 2011 at 1:53 amthese look delicious
following you
Joe says
February 15, 2011 at 2:05 amLemon peels work great as well, lime not so much (they get rather bitter). Also, confectioners sugar gives a finer, smoother texture when dried.
tasteofbeirut says
February 15, 2011 at 2:16 amI discovered these when I lived in France and just fell in love with them! perfect and they are such a wonderful pairing with chocolate.
Anonymous says
February 15, 2011 at 2:42 amlooks marvelous! looking forward to trying this one, soon – real soon.
Anonymous says
February 15, 2011 at 3:35 amI have been wanting to make candied orange peel for a while now! This looks amazing. Thanks for much for the recipe…I can't wait to make them! 🙂
Angie's Recipes says
February 15, 2011 at 5:24 amwow Those candied orange peels look marvelous! Do you think I can use pomelo peel instead?
Toñi (picapusa) says
February 15, 2011 at 6:14 amQue casualidad!!precisamente las hice anoche!las tengo secándose en el horno para ponerles el chocolate hoy mismo 🙂
Te quedaron preciosas
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
February 15, 2011 at 7:33 amBeautiful and so delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
Claudie says
February 15, 2011 at 7:42 amTempting!
Suzy says
February 15, 2011 at 8:07 amYummy!
Jason Gaskins says
February 15, 2011 at 8:19 amYum!
Glistener says
February 15, 2011 at 8:35 amThese look amazing. I received some several years ago as a Christmas gift but it never dawned on me that I could make my own! You've inspired me
jose manuel says
February 15, 2011 at 9:54 amEsto es una delicia para no parar.
Saludos
manu says
February 15, 2011 at 10:31 amNo need words to tell the yummy taste of this recipe!!!Have a nice day
Michele Napoli says
February 15, 2011 at 11:44 amOrange with chocolate is one of my favorite combinations. Beautiful photos and lovely blog.
Lael Hazan @educatedpalate says
February 15, 2011 at 11:55 amLovely, I enjoy eating them and add them to items, but forget that I can make them on my own. Must do, thank you.
shoshana says
February 15, 2011 at 6:59 pmWhat a fun and tastey way to reuse orange peels! 🙂
Stella says
February 15, 2011 at 8:27 pmOoh, that some pretty citrus candy! I live in Florida, so I'm bookmarking this. Now I just need to find the trees with the thick skinned citrus…:-)
Delishhh says
February 15, 2011 at 8:36 pmI just made this last week, just like you said there were tons of oranges in the stores these days. Love them. Love your pictures.
Melissa @IWasBornToCook says
February 15, 2011 at 10:15 pmMmmmm. I've been meaning to try this with grapefruit. Looks delicious.
Anonymous says
February 15, 2011 at 10:28 pmI've been wanting to make my own candied orange peels for awhile now. Thanks for the recipe!
lisa says
February 15, 2011 at 10:37 pmI love making candied fruit – such a pretty garnish for sweets. Orange is perfect with chocolate!
Claudia says
February 15, 2011 at 11:27 pmI could eat them like… well… candy. Love them chocolate dipped – just love them.
Anonymous says
February 16, 2011 at 12:30 amLooks delicious! I want that right now!
XOXO,
http://www.piecelovecooking.com
Danger Kitten says
February 16, 2011 at 12:47 amThese I am DEFINITELY going to have to try! I love chocolate orange (I have a Lindt chocolate orange bar in my desk drawer at this very moment.) Thanks for the recipes.
Emily says
February 16, 2011 at 3:39 amThese look so good and sound surprisingly easy! It makes me want to try so maybe I'll stop comparing orange peel to clementines!
Kevin says
February 16, 2011 at 11:46 amAngie's Recipes: Though I have not tried candying pomelo peel I have seen candied pomelo peel. Because of the thickness of the skin I would definitely take the extra step and cut as much of the white pith from the skin as possible.
Kim - Liv Life says
February 16, 2011 at 8:01 pmKevin, your photos are stunning! I've been looking for just this recipe!!! Nicely done!!
Edith says
February 18, 2011 at 1:33 pmThey look great!
I have to try it! Thanks, Kevin 🙂
Anu Menon says
February 19, 2011 at 12:51 amHi Kevin…
What should the sugar syrup consistency be like… Im trying them right now… hopefully they work out
Susan says
February 19, 2011 at 1:48 amI made these a couple of days ago with oranges from my back yard (I live in central Florida). They're absolutely delish! Thanks for the recipe!!
Sabine says
February 20, 2011 at 6:39 pmThis is on my list of things I would love to make, but haven't gotten a chance to… yours look great!
Kevin says
February 23, 2011 at 12:59 amAnu Menon: The syrup will be pretty liquid-y. After you remove the orange peels you can continue to simmer the syrup to reduce it so that it thickens up if you want to use it for something else like a pancake syrup.
Maida Torres says
February 24, 2011 at 5:15 pmThank you for the lovely recipe, I've always loved these, but had never thought to make them, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was… almost as easy as eating them.
I even used them to decorate my orange chocolate birthday cake, a wonderful touch http://naranjamorena.blogspot.com/2011/02/torta-de-panqueque-chocolate-naranja.html 😀
Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes] says
February 25, 2011 at 2:47 pmThis is something I've always wanted to try!! Never did though, because having not tasted them, I'm a little wary!
Anonymous says
February 28, 2011 at 6:49 pmdo these candied peels keep well?
am doing 'em tomorrow!
thanks for ALL the amazing input, Kevin!
Kevin says
March 1, 2011 at 12:48 pmAnonymous: Candied orange peels keep well, though mine have always disappeared rather quickly. 🙂
Andrea says
March 27, 2011 at 3:57 amKevin, these look amazing! I've never tried candied orange peel.. I was wondering if the consistency is like a chewy candy… like twizzlers or something?
Kevin says
March 29, 2011 at 11:01 amAndrea: These candied orange peels do have a consistency like chewy candy!
Soukna says
April 26, 2011 at 9:14 pmThis looks amazing!! Cant wait to try them! Thanks for sharing your recipes! I think I am going to stalk your blog for daily dinner ideas!
Soky
Zainab says
August 16, 2011 at 12:05 amthat looks amazing!! I am gonna try this straight away!….thanx for sharing Kevin!! 🙂
Nitts says
August 31, 2011 at 4:42 pmI can't wait to try this one, but there aren't any oranges around. I saw someone answer that lime peels get bitter. But I have no idea how to make lemon peels. Can you help please?
Thanks!
Kevin says
September 1, 2011 at 12:39 amNitts: You can candy lemon peels using this recipe as well!
Rajdeep's Cookery says
September 5, 2011 at 5:20 pmThis is just awesome. I tried it in my kitchen as soon as I read your post. It turned out real good. Thanks a lot for this simple and yum stuff! I'm from India and wish to post this in my blog with my cliks. Your name will find a place in my next post (saying a thankyou for the recipe)
Vaidehi Satish says
September 21, 2011 at 7:08 pmHi Kevin….I just had went through this recipe on Raj Deepa's blog and I can;t wait to try this. She had mentioned your link as well and hence wanted to let you know that it is an awesome recipe.
Dmarie says
September 27, 2011 at 1:42 pmoh, MY, I can tell by looking that I will be thanking you for this recipe again and AGAIN!!!
Donne Macerata says
November 11, 2011 at 1:52 pmit looks delicious! I can't wait to try it!
Free India Classifieds says
December 27, 2011 at 9:15 amthis looks really yummy
Grace says
January 16, 2012 at 9:58 pmThese are so delicious and beautiful, and the syrup leftover from cooking the orange peels is heavenly! It's great to use like a simple syrup in tropical drinks.
Susan P says
February 25, 2012 at 1:22 amThese look amazing! I would only use organic citrus fruits though as the skin of traditional produce may be sprayed with pesticides or fungicides, not something you'd want dried and concentrated!
What A Dish! says
April 5, 2012 at 3:35 pmI made these yesterday but didn't get as far as dipping them in chocolate because they are SO good as is, and I'm lazy! Lol! I want to make them again ASAP and dip them in chocolate then.
Anonymous says
November 28, 2012 at 1:47 amMy Dad has a tangerine tree, so I have tons of them. Some are as large as navel oranges. Can I use them in this recipe? Also, can I keep the peels for 3or 4 wks before making the recipe? If so… What is the best way! Will freezing them effect the outcome of the results? Thanks for any help….I want to give ad Christmas gifts. 🙂
Anonymous says
November 29, 2012 at 4:32 amHi there! I'm trying out your recipe as we speak! I was wondering if there was any method to your chocolate melting for the orange peels. Do you just melt them over a bain-marie and then dip them, then wait for them to dry?
Also, was there any technique you used to make your peels straight instead of having them naturally curved?
I can't wait to try them!
Kevin says
November 30, 2012 at 11:52 amAnonymous: Yes, I just melted the chocolate in a bain-marie, dipped in the candied orange peels and then let them cool on a cooling rack. The peels straighten a bit after cooking them. Enjoy!
Kevin says
November 30, 2012 at 11:54 amAnonymous: Tangerines should also work well! I have never tried to keep the peels but the freezer would be your best bet. Enjoy!
Christine says
December 19, 2012 at 7:31 pmI'm making these as I "speak" c: I hope they turn out delish and lovely!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
December 23, 2012 at 9:38 pmThis is what I consider a great Christmas sweet. You don't need to spend hours to make it, moreover orange and chocolate are a perfect match!
Anonymous says
December 24, 2012 at 1:27 amthanks for sharing.
Leanne says
January 19, 2013 at 12:44 pmWe buy candied orange peel from a candy shop every christmas. I will have to try this and see if I can make them. Maybe a new tradition.
Anonymous says
February 10, 2013 at 2:48 amI live in central America… SO HUMID! Will this affect the "drying" process too much? Normally things get wet and soft when left out. Is there anything I can do to make it quicker? Baking them?? Help!
Kevin says
February 10, 2013 at 2:17 pmAnonymous: I have not tried baking them but you should be able to bake them at the lowest temperature that your oven will go for say 20-40 minutes, but check on them often.
huasonshine says
March 2, 2013 at 3:13 amI can't wait to try these!! I want to perfect the lime ones, because limes are my *FAV* maybe a dash of salt will help!! I bet the syrup could be added to plain yogurt or cream cheese for an awesome dip for fruit or cinnamon chips 🙂 or Cheese Cake!… Is there such a thing as a margarita cheese cake?… there I go….can't wait… CAN"T WAIT!!! 😉
Meghan Caulfield says
March 12, 2013 at 6:59 pmJust a heads up to use organic oranges – commercially grown ones contain a lot of stuff you probably don't want to be putting into your body!
Meghan Caulfield says
March 12, 2013 at 7:00 pmjust a heads up to use organic oranges – commercially produced ones contain a lot of chemicals/pesticides you probably don't want to put into your body! Same goes with anytime you use zests..
RWSadur says
August 4, 2013 at 2:48 amHave not had these since I was a kid will definitely have to try this.
Anonymous says
November 27, 2013 at 1:40 pmI want to try then but you don't say how much water to use when you boil the sugar and what do you have three separate sugar amounts for? Two cups to use in the water one cup to toss and what is the other one cup for?
kevin says
November 27, 2013 at 1:48 pmAnonymous: When you boil them the first time it does not matter how much water that you use, enough to cover them and a bit of extra is ok. When you simmer them in the water the second time it is 2 cups of water to 1 cup of sugar. The second cup of sugar is for tossing them in and there is no third cup. Enjoy!
Laurie Schilling says
December 22, 2013 at 8:35 amI am thinking of making these in big batches so I can hand them out as Christmas gifts to neighbors. The question I have is…do you think that it would hinder the cooking of the oranges if I boiled (maybe slices from 20 oranges) them all in one pot or smaller batches? Thanks!
kevin says
December 22, 2013 at 10:57 amLaurie Schilling: One large batch of 20 will work fine! Enjoy!
Teri says
December 5, 2016 at 8:36 pmOK Kevin, I don't know if this is a very good thing or a very bad thing. I can spend a small fortune on dark chocolate covered orange peels… and now you are telling me I can so easily make them? Oh my…
Laurie Randall says
December 29, 2016 at 7:24 pmCan you use day old orange peels? Or do they absolutely have to be fresh?
kevin says
December 29, 2016 at 10:27 pmLaurie Randall: I have not tried with day old peels but they should be ok!
Maria S. says
February 9, 2019 at 11:18 amThese are so delicious & easy to make. I freeze as much needed until I have enough. Then when I have the time I just take out as much as I need to make this wonderful treat. I make at least 2 big batches every winter. I have also made lemon & grapefruit. Some I dip in chocolate and som I dice to either snack on or add to cakes or garnish desserts as I did when I made your “Orange Chocolate Cream Cheese Mousse”
Once again thanks for sharing all your wonderful recipes!!!