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Last winter I started making sweet orange peels in my kitchen. I was just trying to use up peel scraps but now I'm always whipping up these shiny fruity candies. Every time I do it my place smells so good I can't stop smiling.
Why You'll Crave These
Sweetening orange peels just makes everything brighter. They're a fun pop of flavor in cakes, drinks, or anything you dream up. And you'll love knowing you're making something gorgeous out of kitchen scraps you’d usually toss.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Water: Plain tap water, perfect for cooking and mixing syrup.
- Granulated Sugar: This is what gives the peel that glittery sweet coating.
- Navel Oranges: These have thick peels that work great, though you can test other citrus if you want.
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Ready For Fun?
- Sweet Finish
- Toss in extra sugar, let them dry again until totally cool before packing them up.
- The Magic Part
- Set peels into the hot syrup, let them cook for 45 minutes or until they're see-through and sparkly.
- Make Sweet Syrup
- Combine 2 cups water with 3 cups sugar, stirring on medium heat so it melts together.
- First Simmer
- Boil orange strips for 10 minutes, drain, rinse, and repeat to remove any too-strong taste.
- Get Your Peels Ready
- Rinse your fruit, slice off the ends, peel thick pieces, slice into skinny strips, and take off extra white bits if you want.
Awesome Ways To Use
Chop these up for cookies, toss them into drinks, or dunk them in chocolate for a fancy bite. They’re perfect on top of cakes or slipped into holiday bakes. Everything gets a little brighter with these around.
Pro Tips From My Kitchen
Don’t hurry with the simmering—that’s the trick for nice, clear peels. Leaving some pith keeps them soft but too much can get chewy. A tall pot works best since syrup wants to bubble everywhere.
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How To Store
Once your peels are crisp and dry, keep them in a tight jar on the counter for up to two months. Got leftover orange syrup? Use it over waffles, in coffee, or stirred into cocktails—it’s fantastic.
Fast Fixes
Peels taste bitter? Don’t skip the two boils. Sugar keeps them fresh, but you could forget it and dip them in chocolate if you want. Try making these with grapefruit or lemons, but limes turn out tough so don’t bother.
For Everyone In The House
Making these is just fun and smart—you’re not throwing out a thing, and you get a treat at the end. It’s clever, budget-friendly, and the aroma just makes home so cozy.
Pure Sunshine
These orange sweets are bright and cheery. They aren't tricky, but everyone acts amazed when you share them. After your first batch you'll wish you always had a bowl of leftover peels to use up.
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Recipe FAQs
- → Why do you boil the peel twice?
- Boiling two times cuts the bitterness of the white part. Fresh water makes them taste better.
- → How long will they last?
- Keep them in a sealed container for up to three months. They last longer in the fridge.
- → Why aren't mine see-through?
- The syrup simmer is key. Leave it in for at least 40 minutes or the peels won’t shine.
- → Can I use other citrus fruits?
- Sure! Lemons, limes, or grapefruits work well. Just tweak the sugar for the fruit’s bitterness.
- → Any use for the syrup left?
- Use the leftover orange syrup in drinks or on dessert. It stays good in the fridge for two weeks.