The first step is to cut the oranges in a way that you can take the middle out with very minimal damage to the outside peel.
We just cut the oranges into segments then carefully peeled out the yummy inside. These oranges were very juicy so the Little Chefs had juice all over. They were patient during the process, but each one hit their limit of being sticky and dirty then had to quit.
The next step is to carefully slice off the white pith. That is the bitter part so it depends on how bitter you want it to be. I did not let my Little Chefs do this step. It is very careful knife work and they very easily could cut themselves. After making one batch of these I would caution you to remove as much of the white pith as possible. The ones that had almost no pith were MUCH better then the ones with more white pith left on. … I was lazy at the end!
Your Little Chefs can then help cut the peel into strips. The suggestion is 1/4 – inch wide, but as thin as your Little Chef is able to cut them. That will be the size of each piece so in reality there is no official size, just preference or ability to cut them thin.
In a pot of boiling water, let your Little Chef carefully lower the strips into the water. Boil for 15 minutes. When finished boiling drain and rinse a few times just to be sure they are clean.
We cleaned out the pan and then added equal parts sugar and water and let it come to a boil. Make sure you stir to help dissolve the sugar and prevent it from burning. When the sugar water is boiling add the strips and simmer for about 45 minutes. You want the peel to be soft but not falling apart.
Your Little Chef can prepare a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper (for ease of clean up). Pour 1/2 cup superfine sugar on top of the parchment paper. When the strips are soft (let your Little Chef give it a taste to see!) mix the strips of orange peel with the superfine sugar on the baking sheet. Each orange peel will become coated with the sugar. Once they are fully coated lay them out on a baking sheet to dry. This will take 1-2 days. Or to speed up the process, like we did, you can put the baking sheet with the orange peels in the oven on the lowest setting (175 degrees) for 15 minutes. The orange peels are not fully dry, but it definitely speeds up the drying time.
We think they taste and look very good. In fact, Little Chef A tasted one and said, “I can’t believe we actually made orange candy! We made that at home! That is amazing!” These were loved by all! Most of us liked the ones with very little pith. Little Chef Dad liked the ones that were a little bitter. He liked the contrast. These were very time consuming, but what a fun little snack or decoratio
n!
Simple Candied Orange Peel
Source: Epicurious
Ingredients
- 2 large oranges, 1/4 inch of top and bottom cut off
- 4 cups sugar, divided
- 3 cups water
Preparation
Toss peel and 1 cup sugar on rimmed baking sheet, separating strips. Lift peel from sugar; transfer to sheet of foil. Let stand until coating is dry, 1 to 2 days.
DO AHEAD: Wrap and freeze up to 2 months.
Shared at these parties including Cast Party Wednesdays.
15 Replies to "Simple Candied Orange Peel"
Nicole {WonkyWonderful} August 6, 2012 (3:27 pm)
Yum! I have always wanted to try making these – but had a feeling it would be a very time consuming recipe. Looking at yours – I think it may be worth the trouble.
ReinaBorinquena August 6, 2012 (6:56 pm)
Wow! I've never heard of these? I'm definitely trying this out. Great project to end summer.
Shannon Milholland August 7, 2012 (10:23 am)
One of my cousins used to eat raw orange peel all the time and I was never tempted to try it believe me but this sounds delish!
Jacqueline Rizk August 7, 2012 (10:53 am)
Fantastic tutorial! I make candied ginger all the time and have never tried my hand at orange or lemon peel but NOW I am so going to. I eat orange, lemon and lime peel all the time anyway. Raw cane sugar is just what the doctor ordered.
Pamela August 7, 2012 (11:34 am)
Wow!! Little chefs you all are so talented, I love this!
Karen Dawkins August 7, 2012 (11:38 am)
Candied lime peel is great on watermelon sorbet! 🙂
Heather Lynne August 7, 2012 (1:07 pm)
I love making candied lemon peel but haven't tried it with orange-I need to get on that!
Claire Jennings August 7, 2012 (10:33 pm)
This looks wonderful! My little Chef is too little for a knife or hot stuff yet (14 months old), but I will save this for when she is older.
Sue Alexander August 8, 2012 (10:31 am)
yum I love making these, but am way too lazy;p
Etcetorize August 8, 2012 (4:19 pm)
Very neat! I've never heard of such a thing before. I have to remember this for a nice Christmas snack. Thanks so much for sharing at Etcetorize this week~
Charlene@APinchofJoy August 12, 2012 (8:13 am)
Love candied orange peel — had no idea how to make it! This would be a wonderful garnish for any beautiful dessert. Thanks for sharing on Busy Monday!
Ana Lopes August 12, 2012 (3:56 pm)
Hi,
Thanks so much for this recipe. When I was a child my mother did lots of candied orange peel and I didin't how to do it.
Have a look at my blog I’ll be glad.
Hugs from Portugal
Ana Love Craft
http://www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com
Ali @ JamHands.net August 12, 2012 (10:47 pm)
Thank you so much for sharing this at Recipe Sharing Monday! You are going to be featured in the round up tomorrow. Have a great week!
Mal August 13, 2012 (7:34 am)
Delicious! I love candied orange rind (especially when dipped in chocolate, yum!)
Mal @ The Chic Geek
Carrie August 13, 2012 (5:51 pm)
Sounds delicious!! Thank you for sharing at Happy Family Times!