Candied Orange Slices are chewy and sweet. They make a beautiful, edible garnish for cakes and drinks. Or, simply dip them in chocolate for an easy dessert treat.
I have wanted to make Candied Orange Slices for a long time now. I made an Orange Juice Pound Cake for my Pound Cake Series and decided this was the perfect time to accessorize that cake with Candied Orange Slices as the garnish.
You may have seen Candied Orange Slices used as a garnish before and wondered if they’re edible. They are completely edible and very tasty. The inside pulp is soft; the rind is chewy. They are sweet from the sugar coating and are very similar to gummy candy that most kids like.
Oh! And, they’re a little sticky. Sprinkling a coat of sugar over the orange slices before they dry helps with the stickiness, but regardless of the amount I cover them in, they are still somewhat sticky.
How to make Candied Orange Slices
Candied Orange Slices aren’t hard to make, they just take a little patience. The process is to slice, boil, and chill. This softens the oranges. Next, you’ll simmer them in sugar and water 45 to 50 minutes or until the rind is translucent. This process turns them into candy.
Finally, you’ll need to account for drying time before you can use them. They’ll dry in a couple of hours.
Super simple.
What can I do with the orange syrup?
You’ll have leftover syrup from the final cooking step. Don’t throw it away. It’s basically an orange-flavored simple syrup and it will be great in cocktails. Simply replace the regular simple syrup with this orange-flavored simple syrup in any cocktail. Also, use it drizzled over a plain cake, in vanilla milkshakes, or poured over ice cream. It will last 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Can you think of another way to use this orange syrup?
Candied Orange Slices
Ingredients
- 2 large Oranges
- Large bowl of ice water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
- Extra granulated sugar optional
Instructions
- Wash and dry oranges. Sliced into 1/8-inch rounds.
- Discard any seeds and ends.
- Fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside.
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil and add orange slices.
- Boil the orange slices for 1 minute then place in the bowl of ice water until cooled.
- Drain on a wire rack.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, bring 2 cups sugar and 2 cups water to a low boil.
- Heat until sugar dissolves stirring occasionally.
- Turn heat to low and place orange slices in the sugar-water mixture in a single layer. (You may need to do this in batches or in two pans.)
- Simmer but do not boil the orange slices 45-50 minutes or until rinds are slightly translucent, turning every 15 minutes.
- Place orange slices on a cooling rack and allow to cool completely. (This will take a couple of hours or just leave them on the rack overnight).
- I sprinkled my slices with extra granulated sugar so they would not be sticky. This is completely optional.
- Use immediately or keep orange slices refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to use up to 1 month.
Notes
Nutrition
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Robb Collins says
My great grandfather used to bring my father Candied Orange Slices he made in the 1930’s. Recipe is similar! Small world. He lived near Nashville TN. My dad was a kid. My grand mother sort of explained the recipe to me…lol.
Paula says
Love that!!
Angela says
they are quite bitter though!! is it normal? should i boil them few more times before I add them to the syrop?
thank you!!
Paula says
It could have been the specific fruit you had. I have not had mine be bitter
Ellie says
We just made these candy orange slices for our homeschool kitchen/science day. What a huge hit, and they are mostly healthy. Thank you for the simple and clear directions.
Lindal Thompson says
I pinned these recipes two days ago and the Candied orange sliced are a huge hit!!! I think about 25 people have repinned it so far. One to Top Recipes on Pintrrest! Just wanted to let you know. I also made them…Exceptional!
Auntiepatch says
Why do I get the Butterfinger Pound Cake recipe when I click on the Orange Juice Pound Cake button?
Paula says
The Orange Juice Pound cake recipe is set to publish Wednesday and won’t pull up until then.
Debbie Caraballo says
These are something different for me, but very interesting! They look very good…thanks for sharing.