Candied Orange Peel Recipe
This Candied Orange Peel recipe transforms fresh navel orange peels into sweet, tender, and vibrantly flavored treats. Simmered in a simple syrup with sugar, salt, and a hint of vanilla, the peels become soft yet retain their bright orange color. After simmering, they are dried and coated in sugar, resulting in a perfect balance of citrus tang and sugary sweetness, ideal for snacking or garnishing desserts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 ½ cups of candied orange peels 1x
- Category: Dessert, Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Orange Peels
- 4 large navel oranges or 5 small oranges
Syrup and Coating
- 2 cups water
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Orange Peels: Trim the tops and bottoms of the oranges. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the oranges into 2-4 inch segments, pressing firmly to get an even layer of peel without the white bitter pith. Then cut the wide strips into thin ¼ inch strips.
- Simmer the Peels: Place the orange peel segments in a medium saucepot over medium to medium-low heat. Add 2 cups of water, 1 cup of sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 20 minutes until the peels are soft but still vibrant in color, making sure not to brown them.
- Rest in Syrup: Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, turn off the heat, and let the peels rest in the syrup for 5-10 minutes to absorb flavors.
- Dry the Peels: Using tongs, transfer the peels to a drying rack with wax or parchment paper underneath. Allow them to dry and cool for at least 15 minutes.
- Coat with Sugar: Toss the cooled peels in the remaining ½ cup granulated sugar until well coated.
- Final Drying and Storage: Let the sugared peels dry completely at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- You can candy lemon and lime peels using the same method for equally delicious results.
Keywords: Candied Orange Peel, Orange Peel Candy, Citrus Candy, Homemade Candied Fruit, Orange Peel Recipe
Find it online: https://topreci.com/candied-orange-peel-recipe/
