If you don't want to buy sweets for tea and have oranges at home, their peels can be turned into a fragrant homemade dessert. With minimal ingredients and a little time, you will get bright candied peels with a rich citrus flavor that are suitable for tea and as an edible gift.
What You Will Need
Ingredients
- oranges — 2 pcs.
- sugar — 200 g
- water — 250 ml
- cinnamon — optional, a pinch
How to Make Orange Candies
Preparing the Peels
Thoroughly wash the oranges under running water to remove dirt and the wax layer. Carefully peel the oranges with a knife or a vegetable peeler. Be sure to remove the white part from the inside with a spoon — it gives a strong bitterness.
Cutting
Cut the peeled skin into thin strips of equal width. This will allow the candied peels to cook and dry evenly.
Cooking in Syrup
In a saucepan, combine water and sugar, bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the orange peels to the syrup and cook for about 30 minutes over medium heat until they become soft and translucent. The peels should hold their shape and not fall apart.
Drying and Coating
Drain the syrup, lay the peels on a paper towel, and lightly dry them. Roll them in sugar, optionally mixed with cinnamon. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in an oven preheated to 80–100 °C for about 1 hour — until they have a firm but soft texture.
Serving
Completely cool the candied peels at room temperature. Serve with tea, use to decorate pastries, or store in a jar — this dessert keeps well.
Helpful Tip
You can make candied tangerine peels in the same way. They turn out sweeter and especially fragrant. For a rich flavor, it is permissible to mix different citrus peels.
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