Candied Orange Peels~Homemade Citron Recipe

When I was really young, I loved making candy, and this candied orange peel was one of my biggest hits. I used the peels from oranges and grapefruits, because we always had them. I loved that I could take something that we normally threw in the garbage, and turn it into something truly delicious.

No candy out there can match the flavour of a homemade candied citrus peel. Most of the flavour lives in the peel of citrus fruits, so biting into one of these hits you with a sugary citrus blast. The coloured part is chewy while the white pith melts with each bite like the soft chewy centre of a candy. You will never believe they’re made from worthless old peels.

Boil The Peels Three Times

The secret to getting the proper texture and chew is to boil the peels 3 times for 15 minutes. Each time you drain them, cover the peels with cold water again and bring them to another boil. This not only removes the bitterness, it also softens them so they can absorb the sugar syrup easily.

It seems like a lot of boiling, and other recipes may suggest only boiling once or twice, but it is necessary if you want the best tasting peels with no bitterness.

Cook In Sugar Syrup

After boiling the peels 3 times, make a simple syrup. This is usually made of equal parts sugar and water. Once it comes to a rolling boil, add salt and then add the peels. Cook them on medium heat, uncovered, until most of the syrup is gone. This takes 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Drying Out

After the peels have cooked, you can coat each one in sugar or leave them plain before allowing them to dry. Place them on a plate or rack, then preheat your oven to 250F/121C. Once the oven comes to temperature, turn it off, put your peels in and leave them alone until tomorrow. By then they should be dry enough to store in an airtight container where they will keep for months.

Chop up your candied citrus peel to use in cookies, breads, cakes and other baked delights. Coat them in sugar to add a nice sweet crunch if you are giving these as a gift to be enjoyed as they are. For that chocolate lover in your life, why not half dip some in tempered melted chocolate? For the sole purpose of baking, you need not coat them with anything. But who am I to tell you how to finish your candied orange peels—this is your masterpiece!

Print Recipe

Candied Orange Peels

Candied citrus peels are great for eating as they are or chopping up to use in recipes. Feel free to use orange, grapefruit, lemon or lime peels.

Prep Time

20 Minutes

Cook Time

1 hour 45 minutes

Passive Time

2 Days

Servings

Pieces

Ingredients

• 2 Large Oranges or equivalent other citrus
• 1 Cup sugar
• 1 Cup water
• 1/4 Teaspoon salt
• sugar For rolling

Prep Time 20 Minutes Cook Time 1 hour 45 minutes Passive Time 2 Days Servings Pieces Ingredients 2 Large Oranges or equivalent other citrus 1 Cup sugar 1 Cup water 1/4 Teaspoon salt sugar For rolling

Instructions

1. Using a paring knife, cut through skins of oranges lengthwise around the perimeter dividing into quarters. Peel each quarter of the orange to remove entire skin. Slice each quarter into four 1/2 inch wide strips.
2. Place orange peels in a pot with enough cold water to cover entirely. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes.
3. Drain water and repeat the process a second time. Drain and repeat a third time.
4. In the same pot, add sugar and water. Return to stove and bring to a boil over high heat. Add salt.
5. Add blanched orange peels and cook, uncovered, over medium heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The syrup should be almost gone and the peels should look translucent. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
6. Sprinkle a generous amount of sugar onto a baking sheet and add the candied peels one by one, tossing to coat in sugar. Or, if you prefer, lay peels onto a rack (without rolling in sugar) and allow to dry as they are.
7. Preheat oven to 250F. Once it reaches temperature, put the peels in and turn oven off. Allow peels to dry overnight or until firm enough to tap.