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Turn everyday orange rinds into decadent snacks with our simple candied orange peel method. These shiny, sugar-coated strips give you just the right mix of sweet and slightly bitter flavors, adding a touch of class to your sweet treats. Their bright taste and sparkling look works great as a fancy snack or eye-catching decoration.
I stumbled upon candied orange peels when I was helping my aunt make traditional Italian panettone years ago. I couldn't believe how ordinary peels turned into these gem-like sweets, and I've kept making them ever since.
Key Ingredients Breakdown
- Oranges: Go for organic ones without wax coatings and thick, perfect peels - Navels are your best bet since their skin is nice and thick.
- Granulated Sugar: Stick with pure cane sugar for that beautiful shine and crystal formation.
- Water: Pick filtered stuff to avoid any funny tastes from tap water minerals.
- Vanilla Extract: The real kind adds a nice background note that goes well with oranges.
- Salt: Just a tiny bit brings out the orange flavor and cuts through sweetness.
Step-By-Step Cooking Guide
- Step 1: Getting Your Peels Ready
- Scrub oranges clean to get rid of any waxy coating. Grab a sharp veggie peeler and take off long strips, trying not to get too much of the white pith. You want strips showing bright orange on top with just a little white underneath.
- Step 2: Making Your Sugar Mixture
- Mix water, sugar, and salt in your pot, stirring until the sugar's gone. Drop in your orange peels so they're completely covered. Let them bubble gently until they look see-through - that's how you know they're done. Don't let them boil too hard.
- Step 3: Sugar Coating Time
- Lift peels out with tongs and let extra syrup drip back into the pot. Roll them in sugar until they're completely covered. Lay them out on a wire rack until they're totally dry before you put them away.
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Since last summer, I've made sure to always keep these colorful treats in my kitchen. They've become my go-to trick for making basic desserts taste extra special, and now my family expects them during every holiday season.
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Fun Ways To Use Them
- More Than Just Toppings: Cut them up and mix into waffle mix or breakfast granola for surprise flavor pops.
- Perfect For Baking: Throw some into fruit cakes, banana bread, or chocolate cookies for extra zing.
- Try Different Flavors: Roll them in cinnamon sugar or cover half in melted dark chocolate for a fancy after-dinner bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why should I avoid the white pith?
- The white pith tastes really bitter and will ruin your candied peels, even after adding all that sugar.
- → Can I use other citrus fruits?
- Sure thing. This works just as well with lemons and limes if you follow the same steps.
- → How long do candied orange peels last?
- They'll stay good for about 2 weeks if you keep them in a sealed container in your fridge.
- → Why do my peels need to be completely dry?
- Wet peels can trap moisture when stored, and that often leads to mold growing on them.
- → What can I use candied orange peel for?
- Add them to cakes and cookies, top your desserts, coat them in chocolate, or just eat them as sweet treats.