3 Candied Orange Slices Secrets Revealed

You know how sometimes the simplest ingredients turn into the most dazzling treats? That’s exactly what happens when we tackle these beautiful candied orange slices. I used to think anything this glossy had to involve complicated steps or special equipment, but honestly, making them felt like finding a little pocket of peace in the kitchen—just like when I finally nailed that first loaf of bread. They are so soul-satisfying, and they prove that extraordinary flavor doesn’t need to be complicated. Trust me, you’re going to love how easily these sweet and tangy citrus coins come together!

Why This Candied Orange Slices Recipe Delivers Pure Cooking Joy

It’s the little steps in this candied orange slices recipe that turn simple fruit into something truly special. We aren’t just boiling oranges; we are creating bright, chewy jewels. This method is about building depth of flavor and getting that perfect texture every single time. It’s so satisfying to see the transformation right there in the pot! If you love easy bites that pack a punch, check out more inspiration over on the blog.

• It gives you that incredible, glossy look that makes every dessert pop.
• The long, slow simmer guarantees that sweet and tangy flavor deeply penetrates the fruit.
• Everyone loves these as homemade edible gifts, especially around the holidays.

Achieving the Perfect Chewy Fruit Candy Texture

The secret to that amazing, chewy fruit candy texture isn’t just in the sugar bath—it’s the drying! After the simmer, you need patience. We let them drain really well, and then they head into a low oven. This slow drying evaporates just enough moisture from the fruit without hardening it. It’s the final stage of this whole simple syrup fruit recipe, and it’s what makes them wonderfully tender instead of brittle.

Using Candied Orange Slices as Gourmet Orange Garnish

I absolutely adore having these on hand! They instantly elevate anything you put them on. Think about crowning your holiday orange treats with a few slices—instant wow factor. They are my go-to garnish for cakes, and honestly, they look so elegant sitting right on the rim of a fancy cocktail. Such an easy way to make something look gourmet!

Essential Ingredients for Homemade Candied Orange Slices

This is where my philosophy really kicks in: exceptional flavor from everyday stuff! For the best results when making candied orange slices, you only need three things. Seriously, just three! It’s sugar, water, and, of course, beautiful oranges. That’s it for the base recipe. Isn’t that encouraging? You probably already have everything you need to try this easy citrus candy tonight.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Candied Orange Slices

When you’re picking out your fruit, I highly recommend using Navel oranges. They have a great thickness and aren’t too bitter, which helps a ton. But hey, don’t worry if you only have lemons or big grapefruits—you can absolutely make easy citrus candy with those too! If you want to get fancy, toss a whole cinnamon stick or maybe a star anise pod in with your syrup while it simmers. It gives the final product such a warm, cozy background note. It smells amazing when that happens!

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Candied Oranges

Alright, this is the fun part where we turn those firm oranges into soft, glowing jewels. Remember, the entire goal here is simplicity and delicious results, which means we follow the steps exactly, especially the first one! Getting this right means you end up with the most beautiful candied orange slices.

1. First things first, you need to slice those gorgeous oranges crosswise into nice, even rounds, about 1/8 of an inch thick. Don’t forget to trim off the little nubs at the top and bottom.
2. Here’s my must-do expert trick to keep them from being bitter: Pop those slices into a saucepan, cover them with fresh water, bring it to a boil, and let them simmer for about 10 minutes. Drain all that water away. This little blanching step really knocks out any harshness!
3. Now put the blanched oranges back into the clean pot. Add your 3 cups of sugar and 3 cups of water. Give it a gentle stir just to get things moving, but don’t go crazy down there!

Preparing the Orange Rounds and Simmering in Syrup

Once your sugar and water are in, bring that whole mixture up to a boil over medium-high heat. The *second* it bubbles up, drop that heat way down so it’s just a gentle simmer. This part takes time—plan on about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes. The oranges are done when they look translucent, almost like stained glass, and the liquid around them has turned into a thick, sticky syrup. Please, *please* try not to stir them often during this time! A gentle nudge is fine, but too much stirring will cause those tender slices to break apart on you.

Drying Your Candied Orange Slices for the Best Chew

When they look perfectly chewy and translucent, we have to fish them out. Carefully use tongs to pull each slice out of the thick syrup and lay them flat in a single layer on a wire rack. Make sure that rack is sitting over a baking sheet—that catches any drips. They need to drain for about 30 minutes because we want them chewy, not wet! After draining, transfer the rack to a very low oven, maybe 200°F (or 95°C), for an hour or two. Give them a flip every now and then until they feel dry to the touch. This drying is essential for that perfect chewy fruit candy result. If you’re looking for quick weeknight recipes while waiting, you can always bookmark the pastry ideas for later!

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Variation: Making Chocolate Dipped Candied Oranges

Okay, once you’ve mastered the basic, sweet and tangy version of candied orange slices, you absolutely have to try dipping some of them in chocolate. This takes them instantly from a great snack to a truly decadent holiday treat or an unbelievable homemade edible gift! It’s seriously so easy, but it makes them look super professional.

For this, I always reach for a good quality dark chocolate. I melt about 4 ounces—you can use a double boiler if you’re feeling fancy, but honestly, I just microwave mine in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until it’s smooth as silk. Be careful not splash water in there or it’ll seize up on you!

SAVE

Once your candied slices are completely cooled down (and I mean *cool*—chocolate hates heat!), take them one by one and dip about half of the slice into that melted beauty. You can hold them over the bowl and gently tap your wrist against the other hand to shake off the excess. Then, set them right back down on that same wire rack you used for drying to let the chocolate set up. If you want to get really gourmet, sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on the chocolate right before it hardens. Totally optional, but wow, does it taste good!

If you need a simple icing recipe for your other baked goods while you wait for this chocolate to set up, I’ve got an amazing sugar cookie glaze recipe you should check out! I love seeing what everyone is baking. If you post your chocolate dipped treats, tag me on Facebook at Pure Cooking Joy!

Tips for Success When Making Candied Orange Slices

I’ve made so many batches of these, and I’ve picked up a few little secrets along the way that I think you’ll find really helpful! The most important thing I want you to know is about that liquid left over after the oranges come out—that gorgeous, thick syrup. Please, *please* don’t throw it away! That’s actually a fantastic simple syrup fruit recipe waiting to happen.

I personally save mine in a jar in the fridge. It’s amazing for sweetening iced tea or adding a little citrus kick to sparkling water. It’s liquid gold!

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Also, remember when I mentioned adding star anise during the simmer? That’s where the real magic happens if you want an extra layer of flavor. It turns your sweet and tangy orange slices into something really special for gifting. Check out some other quick tips and inspiration on the blog too!

Storage and Gifting Your Homemade Orange Candy

So you’ve successfully dried your beautiful candied orange slices, and now you’re probably wondering how to keep these treasures perfect until you enjoy them—or until you package them up for gifting! The good news is that since we dried them so thoroughly, they are incredibly stable. That chewy fruit candy texture holds up really well!

The key to storage is keeping them away from humidity. I just pop mine into a clean, completely airtight container. You don’t even need to refrigerate them! Just keep the container stored at room temperature, somewhere cool and dry. If you plan on making a big batch for holiday orange treats, this simple storage method means you can have them ready weeks ahead of time. Aren’t they fabulous little homemade edible gifts?

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I usually layer them between sheets of parchment paper if I’m stacking them high in a tin, just to make absolutely sure they don’t stick together, though honestly, they usually don’t. If you are prepping meals alongside your candy making, remember you can save time on dinners during the busy season by looking into some great breakfast cookie recipes that are perfect for making ahead!

Frequently Asked Questions About Candied Orange Slices

I always get a few questions when people see these beautiful citrus treats for the first time, so let’s clear up the most common ones. Making beautiful food should be easy, not mysterious, right? Here are the quick answers to help you nail your batch of sweet and tangy orange slices!

Can I use thick slices for my candied orange slices recipe?

Oh, I wouldn’t recommend it, honestly. If your slice is too thick, it just won’t become fully translucent, and it will take ages—and I mean *ages*—to dry properly. For that stunning, jewel-like look we are aiming for, you really need to stick to that 1/8 inch measurement. It makes all the difference!

What is the best way to use these sweet and tangy orange slices?

That’s a fun question! They are absolutely fantastic as a garnish for cakes—they just sit there looking so professional. They also look incredible sitting on the rim of a nice Gin and Tonic or a holiday punch bowl. But honestly? My favorite way is just eating them straight as a bright orange snack when nobody’s looking!

How long does it take to make candied orange slices?

The actual hands-on time is low, maybe 30 minutes total of slicing and stirring. But remember, this is a patience game! You need about an hour of simmering and then another hour or two for slow drying. So, if you’re doing any serious meal planning around a big holiday baking session, start these early in the day. They are worth the wait, though!

Nutritional Estimate for Candied Orange Slices

Now, I want to be super clear here because I am passionate about flavor, not being a certified nutritionist! Because these candied orange slices are essentially fruit suspended in a sugar bath and then dried, they are definitely more of a treat than an everyday snack. The sugar content is high, which is how we get that amazing, chewy texture we talked about, so keep that in mind.

This information below is just an estimate based on the standard recipe ingredients, serving 2 slices per person. Always treat these kitchen estimates as a general guide and focus on how delicious they are!

• Serving Size: 2 slices
• Calories: About 180
• Total Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 46g
• Total Sugar: 45g (Yep, it’s concentrated sugar and fruit!)
• Protein: 0g

They certainly won’t help you with any weight loss programs, but they are perfect for those moments when you need something bright and celebratory! If you’re looking at structured eating versus making treats like this, you might want to check out some great meal planning tips on the blog for balancing your week.

Share Your Homemade Orange Candy Creations

Well, that’s it, my friend! You’ve made it through the entire process for making the most beautiful, glossy, and utterly irresistible candied orange slices. I put all my best simple cooking philosophies into this recipe, and now it’s your turn to bring it to life in your kitchen!

Once you’ve got them cooled and dried—and maybe even drizzled with that dark chocolate we talked about—I absolutely want to hear about it. Did they turn out perfectly translucent? Did you turn them into a stunning garnish for cakes, or did you manage to keep them hidden away for homemade edible gifts?

Please, don’t be shy! Leave me a rating right here on the page, or better yet, drop me a line over on the contact page and tell me how they taste. Connecting with you all and seeing your success stories is truly the purest joy in doing this whole cooking thing. Happy snacking!

Simple Candied Orange Slices Recipe

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Make glossy, chewy candied orange slices using just three basic ingredients. This easy recipe delivers sweet and tangy citrus candy perfect for garnishing cakes, topping cocktails, or gifting.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 min
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 min
• Yield: About 30 slices 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Simmering and Drying
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 large oranges (Navel or similar, scrubbed well)
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 3 cups water

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Instructions

1. Slice the oranges crosswise into uniform rounds, about 1/8 inch thick. Discard the ends of the oranges.
2. Place the orange slices in a large saucepan and cover them completely with fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain the water. This step removes some bitterness.
3. Return the oranges to the clean saucepan. Add the 3 cups of sugar and 3 cups of water. Stir gently to combine.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Do not stir frequently, as this can break the slices.
5. Simmer the oranges for about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the slices look translucent and the syrup has thickened considerably.
6. Carefully remove the orange slices from the syrup using tongs and place them in a single layer on a wire cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Let them drain for about 30 minutes.
7. Transfer the rack to a warm, dry place or a low oven (around 200°F or 95°C) for 1 to 2 hours, turning the slices occasionally, until they are dry to the touch and chewy.
8. If you want chocolate dipped candied oranges, melt 4 ounces of dark chocolate. Dip half of each cooled slice into the chocolate and place them back on the rack to set completely.

Notes

• Save the leftover sugar syrup. You can use it as a simple syrup for cocktails or to sweeten iced tea.
• For a different flavor, try adding a cinnamon stick or a few star anise pods to the simmering syrup.
• If you are looking for quick weeknight meals instead of candy making, consider using a best meal delivery service.
• These slices are excellent for decorating cakes or adding a gourmet garnish to cocktails.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 slices
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 45g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 46g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg