Candied Orange Peels

I remember these little tidbits from when I was a kid but had totally forgotten them. I came across a recipe for scones with them and decided to check out making them. They were very easy and came out perfect the first time. I just made a huge batch for Christmas presents. I've seen them dipped in chocolate on my web forays for recipes, yummy!

Candied Orange Peels

3 oranges
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
extra sugar for dipping, I used about 1 1/2 cups


Peel oranges carefully. Cut peel into small strips. Using a paring knife remove extra pith from peels(the bitter white part). Leaving a little is OK. They don't have to be perfect.

Place peel in a saucepan in cold water to cover. Bring to a boil. Drain off water and repeat process with cold water. Do this a total of 3 times to ensure your finished product has no bitterness. Set aside. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.

Bring water and sugar to a boil in saucepan. Add peels and turn heat to medium low, just barely a low boil. Simmer for as long as it takes for peels to become translucent. Mine took 50 minutes, I had read it could take as little as 30 minutes or as much as an hour. Keep an eye on them after 30 minutes.

Working fairly quickly roll peels in sugar and lay out on either wax paper or racks set over cookie sheets(to catch drips). Let dry completely. 4 hours is what most people said, I let mine sit for a couple hours and they were fine.

Package in pretty jars or tins. I think these are delicious eaten the way they are but they really kick up a nice batch of scones. These below were dipped in the sugar.