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.

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- 👛 Cost To Make
- 🌟 About This Recipe
- 🥘 Ingredients
- 🍳 Instructions
- Do You Need To Put The Orange Slices In Iced Water After Boiling?
- 🌡️ Storage
- How Long Do Candied Citrus Last
- 👪 Serving Size
- 🍬 Calories Per Serve
- 🍴 How To Use
- What To Do With The Left Over Orange Syrup
- 🍮 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 AUD$ = $2 or $0.13 per serving
🌟 About This Recipe
- The cooking process is simple, and when finished you will have slices of sweet, chewy oranges that don't have a bitter taste.
- You can leave them coated glossy and sticky in the syrup or dip them in white sugar for a fancier look.
- Making your candied orange slices 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.
🥘 Ingredients
Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.
You only need three ingredients to make candied slices water, white granulated sugar, and oranges.
We used orange slices in this recipe because that was what we wanted as a decoration for our orange juice cake.
We used Valencia oranges, but you could also use:
- blood oranges
- tangerines
- mandarin oranges
- or any other variety that is available to you.
🍳 Instructions
Making candied orange slices is simple, but there are several steps involved.
It can take between 40 to 50 minutes to make because the liquid has to be cooked down to a thick syrup.
Initial Preparation
Step 1 – Thoroughly wash and scrub four to six medium-sized oranges.
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.
Step 3 – 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 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.
Step 4 – Tip the orange slices into a colander and drain well.
Make A Simple Syrup
Step 5 – Place 2 cups granulated sugar and 2 cups of water into a deep and wide saucepan on medium heat stir until dissolved.
Step 6 – Using tongs carefully, place the orange slices into the simple syrup.
Step 7 – Simmer over a 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.
Step 8 – Turn off the heat and allow the slices to cool in the syrup.
Air Dry
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 an unnecessary step because they will be heated again in a sugar syrup, and because of this, 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.
How Long Do Candied Citrus Last
When stored in a cool dry area and in an airtight container, the candied orange slices will keep for about a month. They will keep for a few months or more when stored in the fridge.
👪 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
Here are a few different ways that you can use candied orange slices.
- You can chop them into small pieces to use in baked goods.
- They can be used as a garnish for hot or cold drinks.
- Use candied orange slices to decorate cakes and desserts.
- 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.
- Package sugar or chocolate-coated candied orange slices in cellophane bags for holiday gifts.
What To Do With The Left Over Orange Syrup
Keep the syrup because it can be used 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 or ice cream
🍮 More Sweet Recipes
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📋 Recipe Card
Candied Orange Slices
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
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
- 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.
- 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.
Susie says
Such a great idea.
Diane says
Great recipe, easy to do! A quarter of the slice will be going on the top of orange creme brulee for garnish.
Mary says
Test