Enjoy the last days of winter citrus with these candied blood oranges. Dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt, they’re a delicious and beautiful dessert.
Making these candied oranges is surprisingly easy. It’s a relaxing and rewarding project perfect for a quiet winter afternoon. With minimal ingredients and hands-on time, you can create a batch of these delightful candies that are sure to become a treasured winter tradition.
But the magic doesn’t stop there. These versatile treats can be enjoyed alone or as decorations. Savor them on their own for a burst of citrusy sunshine, or use them to decorate cakes and cupcakes for a touch of elegance. Imagine them adorning a decadent chocolate cake – a beautiful and unexpected edible ornament.
The Perfect Gift:
They’re also the perfect hostess gift. Packaged in a decorative tin or a beautiful jar tied with a festive ribbon, they’re a thoughtful and unique way to express your gratitude. Your host will appreciate the homemade touch – a treat that speaks volumes about the care and effort you put in.
Why you’ll love these:
Unique Flavor: Tangy blood oranges meet rich dark chocolate for a delightful flavor combination.
Easy to Make: This recipe requires minimal ingredients and hands-on time.
Beautiful & Gift-able: The vibrant orange color and chocolate drizzle make these candies visually appealing and perfect for gifting.
Versatile: Enjoy them on their own, add them to trail mix, or use them to decorate cakes and desserts.
Healthy(er) Dessert Option: A naturally sweet treat with the added benefit of vitamin C from the oranges, antioxidants from the chocolate, and minerals from the sea salt.
All you need to make candied blood oranges:
- Blood Oranges
- Sugar
- Dark Chocolate
- Flaky Salt
The Process:
Gather your citrus: Find some beautiful blood oranges – their vibrant color is half the magic. If you can’t find blood oranges, regular oranges work too, but use fewer slices since they’re larger.
Slice it thin: With a sharp knife, thinly slice your oranges – about ¼ inch thick. Thin slices candy more evenly.
Next, In a large saucepan, create a simple sugar syrup by combining sugar and water. Bring it to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
Then, gently add your orange slices to the syrup, ensuring they’re fully submerged. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 2 hours. Stir occasionally, watching as the peels become translucent and the citrus candies.
After they’ve simmered for 2 hours, the orange slices need to dry. Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and transfer the slices with a slotted spoon. Let them rest for at least 24 hours (ideally longer) at room temperature. Patience is rewarded with perfectly chewy, juicy oranges.
Now comes the fun part! Melt your dark chocolate in a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over simmering water. Dark chocolate with a higher cacao content (around 60%) pairs beautifully with the tangy oranges.
The finishing touch: Once the chocolate is melted, it’s time to dress up your candied oranges! Dip half of each dried slice into the chocolate, coating it evenly. Let the chocolate set for a few minutes, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt for a delightful sweet and salty contrast.
Tips & Twists:
- If you can’t find blood oranges, you can substitute regular oranges. Just use less, as they are larger.
- Don’t throw away the syrup! Use it for smoothies and cocktails. Or as a glaze for scones.
- Try with grapefruit or different types of oranges for versatile flavours and colors.
Make These!
Craving a unique and delicious treat? Look no further than these Candied Blood Oranges with Dark Chocolate! This simple recipe transforms juicy blood oranges into tangy and chewy candies dipped in rich dark chocolate and finished with a touch of flaky sea salt. Perfect for gifting, snacking, or adding a touch of elegance to desserts, these candied oranges are a delightful burst of flavour in every bite.
If you give these candied blood oranges a try, please let me know what you think! Leave a review below. And as always, tag me on Instagram if you make one of my recipes. I’d love to see your food photos!
Chocolate Dipped Candied Blood Oranges
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar granulated
- 3 cups water
- 5 blood oranges or 3 regular oranges
- 1 cup chopped dark chocolate 60% cacao recommended (or dark chocolate chips)
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prep the Oranges: Thinly slice the oranges (¼ inch) and remove any seeds.
- Make the Simple Syrup: In a large saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low.
- Simmer the Oranges: Gently add the orange slices to the syrup, ensuring they’re fully submerged. Simmer uncovered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the peels are translucent and candied.
- Drying the Candied Slices: Place a wire rack over a baking sheet. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the orange slices to the rack and let them dry for at least 24 hours (ideally longer) at room temperature.
- Chocolate Dipping: Prepare a sheet of parchment paper on your counter or a baking sheet. Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over simmering water. Once melted, dip half of each dried orange slice into the chocolate and set it on the parchment paper to harden.
- Finishing Touches: Let the chocolate set for a few minutes, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt for a sweet and salty contrast.
Notes
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