Candied orange peel makes a delicious dessert or holiday gift. This version has many spices such as vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves & black pepper.
Can I just take a moment to tell you all how excited I am about Mixed Conference this weekend? Chung-Ah from Damn Delicious is flying into Dulles and on Friday we’re taking a (gulp) 5 hour drive along with friends Jackie and Erin to the Mountain Lake Resort in Pembroke, Va. Dirty Dancing was filmed there and I will gladly carry a watermelon to hang out with some of the amazing guest speakers and talented bloggers in attendance. One of my favorite food photographers, Helene Dujardin, will be teaching a workshop! While I’m packing for the journey, allow me to leave you with these wonderful spiced candied orange peels. They are really addicting. I gave the majority of them away so I would stop shoveling them into my pie hole. I have no control around these little delicacies. Do you see all of those tiny specks of vanilla? Those equal intense flavor. Add to that some cinnamon, cardamom pods, cloves and a bit of black pepper. Spicy holiday decadence to the max. I just know you will love these as much as I do.
Spiced Candied Orange Peel
Ingredients
- 4 medium or large oranges
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar + 1 cup for coating
- 2 cups water
- 1 vanilla bean, split down the middle
- 10 whole black peppercorns
- 6 cardamom pods, smashed
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 3 whole cloves
Instructions
- Cut the orange into quarters. Use a spoon to scoop out the fruit but be sure to leave as much of the white pith attached as possible. Slice the peel into thin slices about 1/4 inch thick or smaller.
- Place the orange peels in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 minutes. Drain and repeat this process 2 more times using fresh water each time (do not skip this step because it removes the bitterness from the peel).
- Clean the saucepan with soap and water. Add the water, sugar, vanilla bean, peppercorns, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks and cloves. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Reduce to a simmer and add the orange peels. Simmer on low heat, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until the fruit becomes slightly translucent, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and a cooling rack. Using tongs, remove the orange peels from the syrup, shake off any excess liquid and move to the rack to finish draining. Don't discard the syrup, it's wonderful in drinks. Allow the candied orange peels to dry overnight.
- Toss with sugar before serving.
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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More Orange Recipes
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Food 52 – Orange Ricotta Pillows
Cooking Spree says
Ohoh. I see it coming. I’m a goner! These, with their kicky bit of spice, sound fantastic!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
In love with these orange peels! Hope you have a great weekend of fun!
Libby says
This looks amazing, love those little flecks too!
Mad Dog says
That looks like amazing peel and beautiful picture :-)
Kathryn says
I’m so jealous of you guys all going to Mixed Con – I was hoping that I’d be able to convince my boyfriend that we needed a pre-Christmas weekend away so I could come but it wasn’t to be. I hope you have an amazing time!
little kitchie says
so funny that you posted this… a friend of mine who’s giving a holiday party just asked me yesterday for a recipe for these! i didn’t have one to recommend to her… but now i do! thanks!! :)
kristy @ the wicked noodle says
You get to hang out with Chung-Ah?!! I’m so sad I won’t be there – would love to meet her! Please say hello for me and give her a big hug. She’s so sweet. AND I’m sad that I won’t be hanging out with you, too (of course) but at least we have our lunch plans coming up!
AND…I love these candied orange peels. That photo is beautiful.
Laura Dembowski says
I love candied orange peel. I bet it is so good homemade. I love the addition of spice- I’ve never had orange peel with spice on it.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Beautiful! have fun at Mixed!!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
What an AMAZING holiday gift idea!!
Flavia says
These look wonderful! I love candied orange peel, but have never made it myself. The addition of spices sounds intriguing since I have never eaten them with spices before. Have a great time at the conference! Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Jenn and Seth says
i’ve never made candied orange peel, and now i totally need to add this to the christmas baking/candy making list! this sounds wonderful!
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi) says
I love the spice!
Jackie @ The Beeroness says
I’m so sad I won’t be at Mixed! And not just because I used to watch Dirty Dancing on repeat.
This look awesome, so many fun uses.
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
Happy roadtripping!
Also, I love love candied orange peel. I might just have to dunk these in dark chocolate!