Candied Orange Slices

Candied orange slices make a beautiful addition to a chocolate orange cake or that tasty bundt cake you’re making for your dinner party. They’re fairly easy to make and add a huge amount of curb appeal to your desserts and drinks.

We make these candied orange slices as garnish for desserts, cakes, and cocktails. They aren’t as difficult to make as you might assume from the looks of them. But that’s the great part about them, too. They look complicated and amazing. No one will know how easy they are.

Are Candied Orange Slices Good For You?

They are a sugary treat that should be consumed in moderation. However, the citrus is packed with vitamin C and the peel is edible if you use the right oranges.

How Long Do Orange Slices Last?

You can store these oranges in the glaze in the refrigerator and they will last for a few months, as long as you use only clean utensils to take them out of the container.

You can also dry the orange slices and store them dried for 2-3 months. This is my preferred way to store the oranges. They can also be sugared and kept in a container with sugar for up to 3 or 4 months. That’s a great way to be able to make one batch and continue to use them for an extended period. If you put them in the refrigerator they will get wet and gooey so its best to store them in an air tight container on the counter.

Ingredients You Need

The ingredients list is extremely short for these orange slices. It’s really just oranges and sugar.

• Oranges – Always use bio or at least organic oranges. Wash them thoroughly before slicing, to remove any residue or pesticides. Some oranges have a thicker rind. The rind can be more bitter. It’s best to find oranges with a thinner rind.
• Sugar – The sugar is a main ingredient that allows the orange slices to become glazed
• Water

How to Make Candied Orange

Step 1: Slice the Oranges

One of the ways to ensure a great finished product is how you slice the oranges. I think it’s best to use a mandolin to make sure the slices are uniform. You can use a knife and cut the slices to about 1/3″ thick, but sometimes the slices end up being a little wonky in shape.

If you’d like to just make candied orange peels, you can use the same strategy, but just pull the peels off the oranges instead of using the whole orange. You can use the orange pulp for something else, like making orange juice or making orange flavor cocktails.

Step 2: Boil to remove bitterness

Then we start out with a simple process to pull some of the bitterness out of the orange peel. It’s not necessary, but it will make the peels less bitter, which I prefer. They taste better to eat whole.

To do this, fill a pot halfway with water and put in the orange slices. Bring the water to a boil, then drain the water and do that one more time. The bitterness goes out with the water.

Step 3: Cook

Next, put the water and sugar in the pot and dissolve it. Add the orange slices and simmer on low, covered, for about 45 minutes. Look to see how translucent the oranges are at this point. If they aren’t translucent cook them 15 minutes longer and check again. Then take the pot off the heat and allow it to cool completely (with the oranges still in the syrup).

Step 4: Drying

After they’ve cooled, you can store the orange slices in a container with the syrup, or you can lay them out on a rack for drying. It takes at least 24 hours for them to dry. Don’t be surprised if it takes a few days for them to dry out completely. It just takes time. If your house is more humid, it might even take longer.

You can also save the syrup to use as orange simple syrup for drinks. It’s fantastic in an Orange Moscow Mule.

If you want to get even fancier, you can dip the orange slices in chocolate after they’ve dried to make chocolate covered candied oranges.

How to Use Candied Orange Slices

The most obvious way to use these is just to eat them. They are very good on their own. However, you might want to serve them with a dessert like chocolate cake. We use them to dress up our chocolate orange cake.

You can also use them as a garnish for cocktails, like a delicious chocolate orange martini. We’ve also used them in Christmas baskets for friends and to decorate this delicious orange chiffon cake.

How to Store Orange Slices

Storing candied oranges properly is important to maintain their freshness and flavor. Here’s how to store candied oranges:

1. Air-tight container: Place the candied oranges in an air-tight container to protect them from moisture and air. This will help prevent them from becoming sticky or overly soft.
2. Layering: If you need to stack the candied oranges in the container, place a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together.
3. Cool, dark place: Store the container of candied oranges in a cool, dark place such as a pantry or cupboard. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight or in warm areas, as heat and light can cause the candied oranges to deteriorate more quickly.

Questions About the Recipe

How do I keep candied orange slices from becoming too sticky or overly sweet?

To avoid overly sticky or sweet candied orange slices, ensure your orange slices are thinly and evenly cut for consistent cooking. Maintain a gentle and steady heat to allow the sugar syrup to penetrate the oranges without burning or caramelizing too quickly. Also, don’t overdo the sugar in the syrup; a ratio of 1:1 sugar to water is typically sufficient.

How long do candied oranges last?

If properly stored, they can last up to 2-3 weeks. For longer preservation, you can also refrigerate them, extending their shelf life to about a month. However, be aware that refrigeration may slightly alter their texture, making them a bit firmer.

Can you use different types of oranges and how does it affect the flavor?

Yes, you can experiment with various types of oranges for candying. Each variety brings its unique flavor profile. Navel oranges are sweet and have a robust orange flavor, making them a popular choice. Blood oranges offer a stunning color and a slightly tart taste, adding a gourmet twist. Valencia oranges, known for their juiciness.

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