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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    May 1, 2022 · Modified: Dec 5, 2022 by Harriet

    Candied Orange Slices

    Jump to recipe card

    Need something different to decorate your cakes or desserts? These candied orange slices are easy to make and can be used to decorate desserts or as a sweet treat.

    Tongs holding a candied orange slice.
    Jump to:
    • 👛 Cost To Make
    • 🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe:
    • What Are Candied Orange Slices?
    • 🥘 Ingredients In This Recipe
    • 🍳 Step By Step Instructions
    • Do You Need To Put The Orange Slices In Iced Water After Boiling?
    • 🌡️ Storage
    • 👪 Serving Size
    • 🍬 Calories Per Serve
    • 🍴 How To Use
    • What To Do With The Left Over Orange Syrup
    • 📝 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 🍮 More Sweet Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe Card
    • 💬 Comments

    Candied orange slices are quick and easy to make. They are great as a sweet treat or for decorations on cakes and desserts.

    👛 Cost To Make

    Estimated cost = $2 or $0.13 per serving

    🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe:

    • The cooking process is simple, and when ready, you will have slices of sweet, chewy oranges that are not bitter.
    • You can leave them coated all glossy and sticky or dip them in white sugar for a fancier look.
    • Making candied orange slices at home is healthier than store-bought because you know what has gone into them.
    • Use them to decorate cakes and desserts as whole slices, halves, or quarters.

    What Are Candied Orange Slices?

    Candied orange slices are a type of confection made from orange slices cooked in a sugar syrup until they soften and are coated in a thick, sweet glaze.

    Typically whole oranges are cut into 1 cm (0.4 inches) slices, then boiled in water to remove the bitterness from the peel.

    They are then cooked in a sugar syrup until the peel becomes translucent, cooled, then left to air dry before being stored.

    Candied orange slices can be enjoyed as a simple sweet treat or used to decorate cakes, cookies, and other desserts.

    🥘 Ingredients In This Recipe

    The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.

    Image showing ingredients for make candied orange slices.

    You only need three ingredients to make candied slices: water, white granulated sugar, and oranges.

    We used whole rounds of orange slices in this recipe because that was what we wanted as a decoration for our orange juice cake.

    The variety of orange we used was Valencia, but you could also use blood oranges, tangerines, or mandarin oranges.

    You are not limited to just using just oranges. You can make candied lemon or lime slices to decorate lemon or lime-flavored desserts and cakes.

    🍳 Step By Step Instructions

    Making candied orange slices is simple, but there are several steps involved.

    It can take about 40 to 50 minutes to make because the liquid needs to be reduced until it becomes a thick syrup.

    Initial Preparation

    Oranges being washed under running water.

    Step 1 – Thoroughly wash and scrub four to six medium-sized oranges.

    Ornages being sliced.

    Step 2 – Cut the oranges into slices about 1 cm (0.4 inches) in thickness. Avoid making them thinner because thin slices will not hold their shape during cooking.

    Try to cut the slices into an even thickness because any thin areas will break apart during cooking.

    Remove and discard the seeds after cutting them into slices.

    Orange slices ing boiling water.

    Step 3 – Place orange slices in a deep saucepan and fill water to cover them.

    Place the saucepan on the stove and bring it to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer over medium heat for about 8 - 10 minutes.

    Boiling the orange slices will remove the bitterness from the orange rind.

    Cooke orange slices in a colander.

    Step 4 – Pour the water and orange slices into a colander and drain well.

    Make A Simple Syrup

    Sugar syrup in a skillet.

    Step 5 – Place 2 cups granulated sugar and 2 cups of water into a deep and wide saucepan on medium heat and stir until dissolved.

    Oranges slices at the start of cooking in sugar syrup.

    Step 6 – Using tongs carefully, place the orange slices into the simple syrup.

    Orange slices in hot sugar syrup.

    Step 7 – Simmer over low/medium heat and occasionally turn the slices over as they cook.

    Simmer for about 30 - 40 minutes or until the syrup reduces and the slices have become slightly translucent.

    Candied ornage slices at the end of cooking.

    Step 8 – Turn off the heat and allow the slices to cool in the syrup.

    Air Dry

    Freshly made candied orange slices drying on a cake rack.

    Step 9 – Remove the orange slices from the syrup and place them on a cooling rack with a baking tray underneath to catch the drips.

    Leave the glazed orange slices on the wire rack to air dry for 24-48 hours.

    Do You Need To Put The Orange Slices In Iced Water After Boiling?

    You may have seen other recipes for candied orange slices that say to put the orange slices in iced water after boiling to stop them from overcooking.

    We think that is unnecessary because they will be heated again in a sugar syrup, so we see no need to cool them down.

    🌡️ Storage

    To store candied orange slices, place them in single layers lined with baking paper in between, in an airtight container or zip lock bag, and store them in the fridge until ready to use.

    👪 Serving Size

    If serving as a sweet treat there are about 16 servings. A serving size is equal to about ¼ of an orange.

    🍬 Calories Per Serve

    Each serving has about 112 calories.

    🍴 How To Use

    Candied orange slices are often served during the holiday season. They are a popular Christmas treat in many countries and are used to decorate holiday cakes, cookies, and desserts.

    Here are some ways you can use these sweet orange candy pieces:

    • Chop them into small pieces to use in baked goods.
    • They can be used to garnish hot or cold drinks.
    • Use candied orange slices to decorate cakes and desserts like this tofu orange pudding, or fold pieces into a mixed fruit and cream dessert.
    • Leave them plain or dip them in granulated sugar for cake decorating.
    • Make chocolate-coated orange slices by dipping the candied oranges in white, milk, or dark chocolate.
    • Slice them into quarters and serve them on a plate with other holiday sweets and treats.
    • Package sugar or chocolate-coated candied orange slices in cellophane bags for holiday gifts.
    Image showing and candied orange slice being dipped in sugar.

    What To Do With The Left Over Orange Syrup

    If you have leftover orange syrup from making candied oranges, don't discard it, keep it, because you can use the syrup to:

    • Flavor drinks like this old-fashioned.
    • It can be drizzled over or brushed in between cake layers to give moisture and flavor to cakes.
    • Use it to flavor whipped cream or custard.
    • Drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.

    📝 Frequently Asked Questions

    How long will candied oranges keep?

    Candied oranges will keep well for some time if stored properly.

    After being candied and air-dried the slices should be placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge.

    If dried and stored correctly the candied orange slices will last for several months or longer.

    However, do check the candied oranges regularly and discard them if they start to go moldy or smell off.

    Why are my candied oranges bitter?

    Candied orange slices are generally sweet, but they can sometimes turn out bitter if the peel is not prepared correctly.

    Before being candied, the orange slices need to be boiled for about 8-10 minutes to remove the bitterness from the pith.

    So don't skip that step when making the recipe because you could end up disappointed with the results.

    🍮 More Sweet Recipes

    • Blueberry muffins
    • Jam drop cookies
    • Slow cooker custard
    • Morello cherry jam
    Slices of candied oranges on a plate with tongs in the forground.

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    📋 Recipe Card

    Candied orange slices on a plate.

    Candied Orange Slices

    Need something different to decorate your cakes or desserts? Make candied oranges slices, it’s so easy to make!
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
    Prep Time : 5 mins
    Cook Time : 50 mins
    Air Drying Time - up to 48 hours : 1 hour
    Total Time : 1 hr 55 mins
    Cuisine: : Western
    Course : Desserts
    Servings : 16 if served as a sweet treat
    Calories : 112 : kcal
    Estimated Cost (AUD) : $2 or $0.13 per serving

    EQUIPMENT

    • Large sharp knife
    • Deep wide saucepan
    • sieve
    • Wooden spoon
    • Kitchen scales or measuring cups
    • Tongs
    • Wire cake rack

    INGREDIENTS

    • 600 grams (1.3 pounds) 4 large oranges
    • 400 grams (2 cups) granulated sugar
    • 2 cups water
    Tap button to prevent your screen from going dark while cooking.

    INSTRUCTIONS

    Initial Preparation

    • Thoroughly wash and scrub the oranges.
    • Cut the oranges into slices that are about 1 cm (0.4 inches) thick.
      Try to cut the slices as evenly as possible rather than having thin patches because, the thin areas will break apart during cooking.
      After slicing remove and discard any seeds.
    • Place the sliced oranges in a deep saucepan and fill with enough water to cover the slices.
      Place the saucepan on the stove and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes.
      Boiling the orange slices will remove the bitterness from the orange rind.

    Make A Simple Syrup

    • Place the granulated sugar and water in to a deep and wide saucepan on a medium heat, stir until dissolved.
    • Carefully place the orange slices into the simple syrup.
    • Simmer over a low/medium heat and occasional turn the slices over as they cook.
      Simmer for about 30 – 40 minutes or until the syrup reduces and the slices have become slightly translucent.
    • Turn off the heat and allow the slices to cool in the syrup

    Air Dry

    • Remove the orange slices from the syrup and place them on to a cooling rack that is sitting on a baking tray to catch the drips.
      Leave the glazed orange slices on the wire rack and air dry for 24-48 hours.

    Notes

    HOW TO STORE CANDIED ORANGE SLICES
    Place orange slices in single layers with baking paper between in an airtight container or zip lock bag and store in the fridge until needed.
     
    HOW LONG DOES CANDIED CITRUS LAST
    When stored in an airtight container and in a cool dry place the candied orange slices will keep for about a month. They will keep for a few months or more when stored in the fridge.
     
    HOW TO USE CANDIED ORANGE SLICES
    • You can chop it into small pieces and use it in baked goods.
    • It can be used to garnish drinks both hot and cold.
    • Use it to decorate cakes and desserts.
    • Leave them plain or dip in granulated sugar for cake decorating.
    • Make chocolate coated orange slices by dipping the candied oranges in white, milk or dark chocolate.
    • Package sugar or chocolate coated candied orange slices in cellophane bags for holiday gifts.
     
    WHAT TO DO WITH LEFT OVER ORANGE SYRUP
    Don’t throw away the syrup it can be used to:
    • Flavour drinks.
    • It can be drizzled over or brushed in between cake layers to give added moisture and flavour to cakes.
    • Use it to flavour whipped cream or custard.
    • Drizzle it over pancakes or ice cream.
    Nutrition Facts
    Candied Orange Slices
    Serving Size
     
    1 serving = ¼ orange
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    112
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Sodium
     
    2
    mg
    0
    %
    Potassium
     
    60
    mg
    2
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    29
    g
    10
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    28
    g
    31
    %
    Protein
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    74
    IU
    1
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    17
    mg
    21
    %
    Calcium
     
    14
    mg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Nutrition Disclosure

    More Sweet Treats and Desserts

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Susie says

      May 22, 2022 at 1:53 pm

      Such a great idea.

      Reply
    2. Diane says

      May 22, 2022 at 4:59 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe, easy to do! A quarter of the slice will be going on the top of orange creme brulee for garnish.

      Reply
    3. Mary says

      December 21, 2021 at 5:27 pm

      5 stars
      Test

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Harriet! The face and photographer behind Recipe Pocket. I am a mother of two who is a cook by day and blogger by night.

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