Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel Recipe - Went Here 8 This (2024)

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This candied orange peel recipe is so easy to make and perfect for gifts. Sweet, caramelized pieces of orange peels dipped in creamy chocolate is just the sweet treat you need to make it through the holidays!

Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel Recipe - Went Here 8 This (1)

I sat down and ate a batch of these almost all in one sitting. I couldn't stop. These candied orange peels are so addictive and delicious.

Plus, just a couple ingredients, the perfect amount of down time to watch Netflix, and an easy cost-saving way to make a bunch of Christmas gifts, these chocolate covered orange peels are just AWESOME.

And an inexpensive way to make Christmas gifts this year is a must given everything that's happened! Plus, handmade gifts are so much more thoughtful than store bought (in my opinion).

So by making these candied orange peels (or these candied orange slices, candied lemon slices, candied cherries, or candied ginger), you can give people a delicious, thoughtful gift, without spending a fortune.

**This almond buttercrunch and pistachio baklavaare also great gift ideas if you're willing to put in a little extra time and effort**

Ingredients

Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel Recipe - Went Here 8 This (2)

It's sugar, orange peels and chocolate (which is even optional). That's it.

For the chocolate, you can use kind of dark chocolate. The higher quality the chocolate, the better the orange peels will be.

What Sugar to Use for Candied Orange Peels

This recipe calls for white granulated sugar, but you can use any sugar. You can use honey, coconut sugar, raw sugar or maple syrup. If you're looking for a sugar free recipe, try these Sugar Free Candied Orange Peels.

Step By Step Instructions

Slice the orange peels into strips or bite sized pieces. Add them to a pot with boiling water and let them simmer for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse well. This helps to reduce the bitterness. To reduce it even more, you can repeat this step.

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Next, add the orange peels and 1 ½ cups of the sugar to a saucepan and cover with water.

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Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring to a boil. Cover and let simmer on low to medium-low heat for about an hour.

Thoroughly drain the peels. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to ensure all the water has drained off.

Spread the orange peels on a sheet of wax paper, large enough so all pieces can be laid flat. Cover all the peels with the remaining sugar and let sit for 24 hours.

**To cover the orange peels in sugar, you can either dip each one in sugar individually (this is what I end up doing), or you can pour the sugar on top and shake the pan to make sure they are all coated. The first way is a little less messy, but more time consuming.

Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel Recipe - Went Here 8 This (5)

Once the orange peels feel slightly firm to the touch, you can dip them in the chocolate. Or you can leave them as is.

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How to Dip Orange Peels in Chocolate

Melt the chocolate in a bowl with the coconut oil in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring in between until creamy and dippable. **Add more coconut oil if the chocolate is too thin.

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Dip each orange peel in, leaving the top exposed.

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Lay the chocolate dipped orange peels on the wax paper and let dry for 2-3 hours. Place them in the fridge to dry faster, or if you're in a warmer climate.

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Candied orange peels will last for months. Keep them in an airtight container so they don't dry out, and you can typically keep them for up to 3 months.

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How to Use Candied Orange Peels

  • These are just perfect as gifts for foodies;
  • Chops them up as use them in cakes, pies and cookies - try them on this Orange Cake.
  • Use them to top cakes - try them with this Chocolate Mousse Pie;
  • Use them to top these orange ricotta pancakes.

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Expert Tips

  1. Be sure to clean the orange peels very well. Use a brush to scrub the outside. If you can, buy organic oranges.
  2. You can adjust the quantities in this recipe if you want a larger or smaller batch of candied orange peels. Keep the ratio of ingredients the same.
  3. To cover the orange peels in sugar, you can either dip each one in sugar individually (this is what I end up doing), or you can pour the sugar on top and shake the pan to make sure they are all coated. The first way is a little less messy, but more time consuming.
  4. The chocolate is optional - these orange peels are also great on their own with no chocolate.
  5. Store the orange peels in in an airtight container at room temperature for at least a month (usually up to 3 months). If you dip them in chocolate, you may want to store them in the fridge to keep the chocolate from melting (depends on how warm a climate you live in).
  6. Substitute lemon peels, grapefruit peels, tangerine peels or lime peels for the orange peels.

How to Freeze Candied Orange Peels

You can freeze the candied orange peels before you coat them in chocolate. I don't recommend freezing them after they are dipped in the chocolate. To freeze, place in an airtight container and store for up to 3 months in the freezer.

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Tools Used

- 2 quart non-stick saucepanChocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel Recipe - Went Here 8 This (13)
- Large baking sheetChocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel Recipe - Went Here 8 This (14)
- Glass mixing bowlChocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel Recipe - Went Here 8 This (15)
- Small mason jarsChocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel Recipe - Went Here 8 This (16)
- Wax paperChocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel Recipe - Went Here 8 This (17)

Did you make this recipe? Rate the recipe and leave me a comment below and let me know how it turned out 🙂

Recipe

Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel Recipe - Went Here 8 This (18)

Chocolate Dipped Candied Orange Peel Recipe

Sweet, caramelized pieces of orange peels dipped in creamy chocolate is just the sweet treat you need to make it through the holidays!

4.93 from 14 votes

Print Rate

Course: candy, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Dry Time: 1 day day

Total Time: 1 day day 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 123kcal

Author: Danielle Wolter

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Slice the orange peels into strips or bite sized pieces. Add them to a pot with boiling water and let them simmer for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse well. This helps to reduce the bitterness. To reduce it even more, you can repeat this step.

  • Add the orange peels and 1 ½ cups of the sugar to a saucepan and cover with water. Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring to a boil. Cover and let simmer on low or medium low heat for one hour.

  • Thoroughly drain the peels. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to ensure all the water has drained off.

  • Spread the drained orange peels on a sheet of wax paper, large enough so all peels can be laid flat. Cover all the peels with the remaining sugar, and let sit for 24-36 hours.

  • Place them in a jar or covered container and store at room temperature for up to 3 months.

Dip in Chocolate:

  • Melt the chocolate in a bowl with the coconut oil in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring in between until creamy and dippable. **Add more coconut oil if the chocolate is too thin.

  • Once the orange peels feel slightly firm to the touch, you can dip them in the chocolate. Heat the chocolate according to the instructions. Dip each orange peel in, leaving the top exposed.

  • Lay the chocolate dipped orange peels on the wax paper and let dry for 20-30 minutes. Place them in the fridge to dry faster, or if you're in a warm climate.

Expert Tips:

  1. Be sure to clean the orange peels very well. Use a brush to scrub the outside. If you can, buy organic oranges.
  2. You can adjust the quantities in this recipe if you want a larger or smaller batch of candied orange peels. Keep the ratio of ingredients the same.
  3. To cover the orange peels in sugar, you can either dip each one in sugar individually (this is what I end up doing), or you can pour the sugar on top and shake the pan to make sure they are all coated. The first way is a little less messy, but more time consuming.
  4. The chocolate is optional - these orange peels are also great on their own with no chocolate.
  5. Store the orange peels in in an airtight container at room temperature for at least a month (usually up to 3 months). If you dip them in chocolate, you may want to store them in the fridge to keep the chocolate from melting (depends on how warm a climate you live in).
  6. Substitute lemon peels, grapefruit peels, tangerine peels or lime peels for the orange peels.
  7. You can freeze the candied orange peels before you coat them in chocolate. I don't recommend freezing them after they are dipped in the chocolate. To freeze, place in an airtight container and store for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Nutrition

Serving: 4pieces | Calories: 123kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 173mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 37.3mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2.1mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @went_here_8_this or tag #wenthere8this!

Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel Recipe - Went Here 8 This (19)

Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel Recipe - Went Here 8 This (2024)

FAQs

How do you make candied orange peels less bitter? ›

Blanching peels

Orange peels get their bitterness from several compounds. And those compounds dissolve in hot water, which is why blanching works so well. In fact, blanching reduces bitterness by 50%. Repeat the blanching step until the orange peels taste just slightly bitter.

What do you do with candied orange peels? ›

You can eat the candy as is, dip it in chocolate, add to cake, muffins or salads, etc. The syrup can be used in co*cktails or tea. It's popular around the holidays but I will be doing this regularly, holiday season or not. You can use lime or lemon peels too.

How long do candied orange peels last? ›

Pack the peel into an airtight storage jar or rigid container lined with baking parchment. Will keep for 6-8 weeks in a cool, dry place. To make into a delicious gift, melt the chocolate in a small bowl. Dip the candied orange peel into the chocolate to half-coat them, shaking off the excess.

Are candied orange peels healthy? ›

Candied Orange Peels are beautiful, festive, and are full of nutrients. The orange peel has more vitamin C than the actual fruit of the orange. Likewise, the fruit peel also has about three times as much the amount of Vitamin A, B-Complex, and minerals such as manganese, calcium, and zinc.

What makes orange peel bitter? ›

What makes citrus bitter? A substance called naringin, that imparts the bitter flavor, is present in the peel, pith, membranes and sometimes the juice. The white pith just under the peel is especially bitter. If you juice any citrus and drink it immediately, you won't notice the bitterness.

What is the difference between bitter and sweet orange peel? ›

sinensis orange variety, sweet orange peel is said to contribute a notably more “orangey” flavor that's widely recognizable, as these types of oranges are commonly consumed. Bitter orange peel comes from the C. aurantium orange variety and is known to lend a more general citrus character with some bitterness.

Does candied orange peel need to be refrigerated? ›

Once the peels are cooled and candied, you can store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to a month. You can also refrigerate or freeze them for even longer storage.

What is the Italian name for candied orange peel? ›

Candied Orange Peel / Scorza D'Arancia Candita.

What can I do with leftover syrup from candied oranges? ›

Save Your Leftover Orange Syrup and Oranges!

It can replace simple syrup in co*cktails, mocktails, and lemonade. You can also use it to replace honey or maple syrup on pancakes, baked pears, French toast, or even fruit salad. After cooking, the orange syrup is quite concentrated and sweet.

Can you freeze homemade candied orange peel? ›

Toss peels with remaining 1 cup sugar on a rimmed baking sheet to coat. Transfer peels to a large sheet of foil and let sit until dry, 1–2 days. Do Ahead: Orange peels can be candied 1 month ahead. Store airtight at room temperature, or freeze up to 2 months.

Where do you store candied orange peels? ›

Candied orange peels can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month. Larger batches can also be frozen in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Store with silica packets if you have any or homemade desiccants like dry rice to help absorb moisture. Be the first to leave a review!

How do you know when candied fruit is done? ›

You will need to cook each batch of fruit until it is translucent. Put the fruits on a wire rack once they are done cooking; this will help to get rid of all the excess sugar syrup.

What are the disadvantages of orange peels? ›

Unpleasant taste and texture

Orange peels have an unpleasant, bitter flavor and tough texture, which may be difficult to digest. Also, they may contain pesticides and need to be washed before eating.

Can you eat too much orange peel? ›

For some people, orange peels can cause an upset tummy, so start with small amounts first,” VenHuizen said. The chewiness of orange peel could pose some problems of its own. “The texture and flavor of orange peels may be difficult to tolerate or aggravate any jaw or chewing issues,” Brownstein said.

How to use orange peel for weight loss? ›

Once the water comes to a boil, turn the flame off, cover the utensil and let the peels steep for about 10 minutes. Filter or strain the water into a cup and your orange peel tea is ready! You can add spices like cinnamon or sweeteners like honey to your orange weight loss tea to enhance its taste.

Why are my candied orange slices bitter? ›

A: You may not have boiled your orange slices long enough in plain water to pull out the bitterness from the peel. To make it less bitter next time, boil a few minutes longer and maybe a couple additional cycles (boil-rinse).

How do you make citrus peels less bitter? ›

Add the peels to a pot, cover with water, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer for about 25 minutes. The water turns very orange almost immediately. This step eliminates bitterness (in the peels that is, although the resulting intense citrus scent might improve one's attitude as well). Drain peels.

Are candied orange slices bitter? ›

The orange slices get preboiled twice, to remove any of the bitterness that may be present. What you are left with is an intense orange flavour that is sweet and not unpleasant at all. The proportion of sugar and water is perfect. Your candied orange slices will be sweet and will have a nice texture when dried.

How do you fix bitter orange jam? ›

Soak the citrus peel: Soaking the citrus peel in water overnight can help to reduce the bitterness. Change the water a few times to remove any bitter compounds. Add sugar: Sugar can help to balance out the bitterness in the marmalade.

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