Homemade candied orange peel
This recipe for homemade candied orange peel is easy and gives the best results. I use orange peel in baked goods, fillings and many different desserts and drinks.
I always thought that making candied orange peel is complicated and difficult and time consuming. For such a reason I was tempted and bought a container of sugared orange peel in a shop. What a disaster that was. It tasted horrendous, nasty and the only taste was chemicals. I am glad so glad I tasted orange peel before using it. Long story short, I binned it and deiced to make my own. The whole process was actually easy and very straightforward. From now one I will never but candied orange peel from a shop. Homemade is so much better.
How to make homemade candied orange peel
As I mentioned before, this recipe is easy and straightforward. I always make a triple batch at once.
First I would recommend washing oranges in hot water to remove any wax etc. Then using a potato peeler, peel the rind. Take a medium pot, fill it with cold water and add peel in the water. Bring to boil and cook for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes pour away water and add new cold water to the peel. Again, bring water to boil and cook for 5 minutes. You need to change water 3 times. When this step is done. Place peel on a chopping board and cut it in small pieces. Using the same pot add 200 g white granulated sugar and 200 ml cold water. Stir and let sugar dissolve. Add orange peel and cook it for 20 minutes on a medium heat. Stir from time to time. Orange peel is ready when it is translucent. Remove peel from the pot and transfer to a jar.
TIPS:
- Using a potato peeler or any any fruit peeler will help to get rid of pith. Pith is the white spongy layer under the orange peel which makes orange taste bitter.
- If you are using a knife, you will probably get more white pith with orange peel. In this case, when your orange peel is ready, let it cool down for 5 minutes and then scrape off the pith using knife.
- Do not discard the simple syrup from cooking orange peel. You can use it in desserts and drinks. It tastes great in on old fashioned cocktail, tea or coffee. You can also drizzle it over ice cream etc.
- This recipe explains how to make soft orange peel, the kind that you use in baking or in different fillings.
- If you want crunchy orange peel just toss it in white granulated sugar and let it dry for few hours or ideally overnight.
What does homemade candied orange peel taste like?
What can I say. Orange peel tastes lush. It is sweet and full of orange flavour. Peel is soft but has a nice bite to it.
How to use candied orange peel
Sugar orange peel can be used in many different ways:
- Add it to breads, rolls, brioche or any other baked goods.
- It can be used in cannoli filling or any filling that requires orange peel. Just make sure you cut it in small pieces.
- I love adding candied orange peel to cheesecakes and cakes.
- You can also make a homemade gift. Just add candied orange peel to a small cute jar, add a ribbon. Inexpensive homemade gift is ready.
How to store homemade candied orange peel
Store candied orange peel in an air-tight jar for up to a month. Sugar syrup preserves orange peel beautifully and prevents it from going bad. You can also freeze it for up to 6 months. In order to defrost it, just take it out from a freezer and leave it at room temperature for 30 minutes.
If you are looking for more recipes with candied orange peel, I can recommend you the following:
Eggless ricotta cannoli cookies
Baked ricotta cannoli cheesecake
Click this link to see the best recipes with candied orange peel
I hope you will make my recipe and if you do, please leave a comment below and let me know your feedback. You can also find me on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Gab and Gettr. Please say hi and do not forget to tag me in if you make my recipe. I love seeing your creations.
Recipe source –my own
Cheers!
This is a very easy recipe for homemade candied orange peel. Only 3 ingredients and the results are marvelous.
- 5 oranges (I used large)
- 200 g sugar (white granulated)
- 200 ml water (plus extra for boiling)
Please read the post above for all the tips, storage and useful information.
Wash oranges in hot water, set aside.
Using a potato peeler or a fruit peeler, peel oranges. using potato peeler helps to get rid of white pith under orange peel. Pith is responsible for making oranges bitter.
Fill a medium pot with water, add orange peel and bring to boil. Cook for 5 minutes. Then discard water.
Add fresh cold water to orange peel, bring it to boil. Cook for 5 minutes and discard water.
Again, repeat the process. You need to change water 3 times. This step will help to get rid of all the chemicals from oranges and allow orange flavour to shine through.
Now, place orange peel on a chopping board. If you used a knife to cut orange peel, now is the time to scrape off the pith. Once it is done. Cut orange peel into small pieces.
Using the same pot, add 200g white granulated sugar and 200 ml cold water. Stir and let sugar dissolve.
Add orange peel to the pot. Stir and cook it on a medium heat for about 20 minutes. Orange peel is ready when it is soft and translucent.
Remove orange peel, do not pour away the sugar mixture (simple syrup). You can use it in cocktails, or add to coffee, tea or drizzle over desserts.
Let orange peel to cool down and transfer it to a jar.
Orange peel is ready to be used in any baked goods or desserts.