Ingredients
- 4 large oranges
- 8 ounces water
- 8 ounces sugar
- 16 ounces dark chocolate
Directions
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1. Slice the ends off of the oranges, score the peel from one end to the other, and remove the peels off the oranges. Slice the peels into thin strips and trim the edges. 2. Using a medium size pot, place the peels in boiling water and blanch them for 5 minutes. Rinse the peels, and repeat this process a second time. This is done to remove the bitterness of the peels. 3. Prepare the simple syrup by combining the water and sugar in a sauce pot. Bring the syrup to a simmer, place the peels in the pot, cover, and simmer for 1 hour. Once the peels have cooked, remove them from the pot, and place on a rack to cool and drain. 4. Melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler. Dip the candied orange peels in the chocolate, remove them quickly. Place chocolate covered peels on parchment paper to set. Place orangettes in fridge to set faster if desired. Store the orange peels in an airtight container.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from Jean Jacques Dartau via Food Network
Wow, these look gorgeous Tessa, I’m so going to make these cuties as I always have orange peels laying around after I make my daily orange juice. Thanks a lot for the great idea for my next recipe 😉
I, too, fell in love with orangettes several years ago on a visit to Belgium but they are difficult to find and very expensive here in the UK. So I was delighted to find your recipe.
This weekend I tried it out – candied the peels on Saturday, let them dry overnight and dipped them yesterday.
Utterly delicious! As you say, even better than the commercial ones and such a good flavour. I made orange (used up the oranges for a dessert of oranges in caramel with a little Grand Marnier added) and tried the same with 1 lemon which is also interesting. Next time, I shall try grapefruit, too as I like the slight bitterness.
Today I got my colleagues at work to sample the results and watched the expressions of bliss on their faces when they bit into them. I was instantly inundated with heavy hints about what they would like for Christmas this year!
Thank you so much, this will give me so much pleasure.
just came across these on tastespotting, and I am SO excited to make them! yum.
Patty- Definitely organic!! Who wants candied pesticide peels?
Anonymous- Yes, fresh water would be best. I like to use my tea kettle so I have boiling hot water ready to go. Hope that helps 🙂
I am guessing that you should use fresh water on the second blanch right?
You can never go wrong with orange and chocolate!
I love orangettes! Well the best part about making your own is that you can use organic orange peels and your favorite high quality chocolate – and of course they're fresh. 🙂
I only made candied orange peels once, and it was because I had a big bag of lovely organic oranges. It was a bit laborious, but they lasted a long time, and were great for adding to baked goods. Sometimes I would nibble on them with a piece of chocolate – but didn't commit to making the dipped confection at the time… I like your idea of making orangettes as gifts. 🙂