Make glossy candied orange slices and fragrant orange simple syrup with four ingredients for decorating desserts, garnishing drinks, and homemade gifts.
Glossy, tender, and filled with bright citrus flavor, this Candied Oranges and Orange Simple Syrup Recipe transforms fresh oranges into two delicious homemade treats. The softly candied slices make beautiful edible decorations, while the fragrant syrup adds fresh orange flavor to drinks and desserts.
Thin orange rounds gently simmer in a mixture of sugar, fresh orange juice, and water until the fruit becomes lightly translucent. Cooking the slices slowly helps soften the rind while preserving their attractive circular shape.
Use the candied orange slices to decorate cakes, cheesecakes, cupcakes, cookies, tarts, and holiday desserts. They also make elegant garnishes for cocktails, mocktails, sparkling beverages, and special-occasion drinks.
The remaining orange simple syrup is equally versatile. Stir it into tea, lemonade, coffee, sparkling water, cocktails, and mocktails, or drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, yogurt, pound cake, fresh berries, and ice cream.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Oranges
Wash the oranges thoroughly under cool running water and pat them dry.
Using a sharp knife or mandoline, carefully cut the oranges into rounds approximately 1/8 inch thick. Remove and discard any seeds without disturbing the shape of the slices.
Try to keep the rounds an even thickness so they soften at approximately the same rate and retain their attractive circular shape.
Step 2: Make the Orange Syrup
Combine the granulated sugar, fresh orange juice, and water in a large skillet.
Place the skillet over medium heat and stir gently until the sugar dissolves completely. Continue heating until the mixture reaches a gentle simmer and the syrup appears clear.
Step 3: Candy the Orange Slices
Carefully arrange the orange slices in a single layer in the simmering syrup. If the skillet is not large enough to hold all the slices without excessive overlapping, cook them in batches.
Gently simmer the slices for 14 to 16 minutes, occasionally turning them with tongs so they cook evenly. Do not allow the syrup to boil vigorously because the softened orange slices may tear or break apart.
The slices are ready when they look glossy and lightly translucent and the rinds are tender but still hold their shape.
Step 4: Cool the Candied Oranges
Remove the skillet from the heat. Using tongs, carefully transfer the orange slices to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or jelly roll pan.
Arrange the slices in a single layer without allowing them to overlap. Let them cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
Step 5: Chill and Set
Once the orange slices have cooled, loosely cover the baking sheet and refrigerate them for at least 2 hours.
This resting time allows the candied oranges to set and develop their soft, pleasantly chewy texture.
Step 6: Strain the Orange Simple Syrup
Allow the syrup remaining in the skillet to cool completely. For a smooth syrup, pour it through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any pieces of orange pulp or peel.
Transfer the orange simple syrup to a clean glass jar or airtight container.
Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 7: Serve
Serve the candied oranges as a sweet treat or use them to decorate desserts and garnish beverages. Use the reserved orange simple syrup to sweeten drinks, moisten cake layers, or add citrus flavor to breakfast foods and desserts.
Notes
Navel oranges, Cara Cara oranges, blood oranges, and Valencia oranges all work well in this recipe. Choose firm, unblemished fruit with clean peels because the entire orange slice will be eaten.
A mandoline makes it easier to create evenly sized slices. Always use its hand guard and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.
Keep the syrup at a gentle simmer. Vigorous boiling can cause the orange slices to break apart and may reduce the syrup too quickly.
For a less syrupy surface, place the cooked orange slices on a wire cooling rack set over a lined baking sheet. Let them drain and dry for several hours before refrigerating.
For a sparkling finish, allow the slices to drain until tacky, then coat them lightly with granulated sugar.
For an elegant dessert garnish, dip half of each cooled orange slice into melted dark chocolate. Place the dipped slices on parchment paper and let the chocolate set completely before serving.
Use the candied orange slices to decorate layer cakes, cheesecakes, cupcakes, cookies, tarts, and dessert boards. They also make attractive garnishes for cocktails, mocktails, hot toddies, and sparkling beverages.
Stir the orange simple syrup into iced tea, hot tea, lemonade, coffee, sparkling water, cocktails, or mocktails. It can also be drizzled over pancakes, waffles,
French toast, yogurt, fresh berries, pound cake, or vanilla ice cream.
The orange simple syrup can be brushed over freshly baked cake layers to add moisture and delicate citrus flavor.
For a gently spiced variation, add a cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, star anise pod, or a few whole cloves while the oranges simmer. Remove the spices before cooling and storing the syrup.
Store the candied oranges between layers of parchment paper in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep the orange simple syrup refrigerated in a separate clean, tightly sealed container. Enjoy both promptly for the best flavor and texture.
Discard the candied oranges or syrup if you notice mold, bubbling, fermentation, an unpleasant odor, or any other sign of spoilage.
Must be 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
