Candied Oranges (Easy and delicious)
Candied oranges are a stunning, tasty treat that are actually easy to make. This treat only uses 3 ingredients, and requires very little hands on time. Dip half of the orange in dark chocolate and add a sprinkle of sea salt for a truly delicious sweet treat. You can also use candied oranges as a garnish on a dessert. My favorite way to use these is on chocolate bark. These make a great gift to give to your friends and neighbors during the Christmas and holiday season.
Growing up, Christmas time was always my favorite. Not just because of Santa and the presents he may bring, but of the magic of it all. One of those special magical Christmas moments was when my neighbors would walk around on a weeknight evening or weekend during the day and bring us a Christmas gift.
Most of the time the gifts were homemade, whether they were Christmas cookies or candies, or DIY craft. I’m not going to lie, the cookies may not have always been the best, but the fact that they were Christmas gifts, actually made them taste better. Has that ever happened to you? I think it’s because of the fact that they were homemade, and we knew that. That extra ingredient, love, goes into making things from scratch and I think you can truly taste that.
My parents were never into making our own gifts, but we would usually get some sort of fun Christmas trinket from a specialty Christmas shop near us, or a fruit basket from the grocery store. These candied oranges make the perfect gift to hand out to your neighbors, friends, or coworkers. They make the perfect DIY Christmas Gifts and are actually fairly easy to make.
The details
What type of orange to use
I prefer using small clementine’s for these candied oranges. I like the small size for the slices and the color. The dark orange color is vibrant in these. A larger orange, like a naval orange is more pale and would not have as stunning of a color.
The most important reason to choose clementine’s is due to their sweetness. Clementine’s are much sweeter and less acidic than a naval orange. This pairs perfectly with the sweet candy coating and makes them a delicious treat.
Ingredients
- clementine mandarins (or small oranges), thinly sliced (roughly ¼ inch slices) – I actually found clementine mandarins from the store and used these to make Candied Oranges. If you can’t find this hybrid variety, you can use either clementine’s or mandarins to make these candied oranges. Both will work well.
- granulated sugar – the sugar helps create the sweet coating on the clementine’s.
- water – water is used with the sugar to create a sugar syrup. While simmering, this sugar syrup softens the rind and sweetens it. The leftover sugar syrup becomes infused with orange, and oh my goodness it’s good!
- Dark chocolate, optional – I like to dip half the candied oranges in dark chocolate. It creates visual appeal and adds delicious flavor.
- Sea salt, optional – A small sprinkle of salt truly takes these candied oranges up a notch. If you’re not sure if you’d like the salt, try sprinkling it on one piece and taste test it before adding it to the rest.
Wait! Don’t throw away the sugar syrup!
After simmering the orange slices in the sugar and water solution, or simple syrup, you’ll be left with a delicious candied orange syrup. Don’t throw it away! You can use it for a variety of things. Here are a few options for using the candied orange syrup.
- desserts – drizzle over vanilla ice cream or brush over a cake. The orange syrup will give the cake moisture as well as a delicious orange taste.
- coffee drinks – if you are into making your own lattes, you could definitely add this candied orange syrup into your drink.
- Pancakes or Waffles – use the candied orange syrup in place of maple syrup, or you can add it in addition to the maple syrup. The sugary sweet syrup will give your pancakes and waffles a delicious orange taste.
How to store these Candied Oranges
You can store these at room temperature for 2 weeks. Place in an air tight container, in a single layer, with parchment paper in between each layer.
To make these last longer, you can store them in the refrigerator. Although I would allow them to come to room temperature before enjoying. You can put the container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
If you’re looking for some Christmas gifts to give to your neighbors, here are a few to check out!
Here are a few other recipes you may enjoy
Let me know what you thought!
If you make these candied oranges, let me know what you thought in the ratings and comments below! I always appreciate your feedback and love reading your comments! If you do make these candied oranges, be sure to snap a picture and tag me on instagram @simplebakingwithpep. I love to see your creations!
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Candied Oranges (Easy and delicious)
Description
Candied oranges are a stunning, tasty treat that are actually easy to make. This treat only uses 3 ingredients, and requires very little hands on time. Dip half of the orange in dark chocolate and add a sprinkle of sea salt for a truly delicious sweet treat. You can also use candied oranges as a garnish on a dessert. My favorite way to use these is on chocolate bark. These make a great gift to give to your friends and neighbors during the Christmas and holiday season.
Ingredients
- 5 clementine mandarins (or small oranges), thinly sliced (roughly 1/4 inch slices)
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 cups water
Toppings
- Dark chocolate, optional
- Sea salt, optional
Instructions
1. In a large skillet, add sugar and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to a simmer. Add oranges. The orange slices should not have much overlap in your pan.
2. Simmer the mixture for 50 minutes, turning the oranges occasionally with a fork or tongs.
3. Remove the orange slices with a fork or tongs and place on a wire cooling rack, with paper towels lined underneath.
4. Allow the candied oranges to sit at room temperature to dry on the wire cooling rack, for 24-48 hours.
5. The oranges will be set when they are slightly tacky (almost like gummy candy).
6. If desired, melt some dark chocolate in a double boiler, or in the microwave in 20 second increments, stirring in between each. Dip half the candied orange slices in the dark chocolate. Set on a piece of parchment paper. Sprinkle sea salt over the dark chocolate and allow chocolate to harden.
Thank you for posting the ingredients I will make some to take to my granddaughter’s home on Thanksgiving mmmmm
Georgiana,
Of course! I hope you enjoy making and eating these :).
-Jolene
I can’t wait to try these. Especially at Christmas… Do you think they would be OK to ship? Just a today ship like with FedEx or would they need to be kept cold?
Gigi,
I’m so excited for you to make these! Yes, they will be fine to ship. I recommend placing the candied orange slices in a single layer, separated by parchment paper. Store in an air tight container. They should be okay in an air tight container at room temperature for 2 weeks (so that should be perfectly fine for shipping).
To keep the candied orange slices longer, you can place the container in the refrigerator for up to one month.
I hope you enjoy!
-Jolene
I used to make these years ago, but only the rinds. This way is easier and no waste of fruit. My daughter will be surprised after all these years that I’m making them again. Thanks for sharing!
Kristine,
That is so neat you used to make a version of these with the rind! I hope you and your daughter enjoy this recipe. I’m always happy to share :).
-Jolene
How do you store them and how long can you store them?
Barbara,
You can store these at room temperature for 2 weeks. Place in an air tight container, in a single layer, with parchment paper in between each layer. OR you can put the container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Hope you enjoy!
-Jolene